NEW YACHTING TROPHY

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 33, 8 August 1934, Page 4

NEW YACHTING TROPHY

EVANS BAY ACQUISITION

LIMBLESS SOLDIERS' GIFT

Tho most cheerful of returned soldiers vory probably are tho members of that debonair body, tho Wellington Limbless Soldiers' Association. Thirty - threo "limbios," as they call themselves, attended a meeting last week to make a presentation to the Evans Bay Yacht and Motor-boat Club, which has entertained limbless soldiers every year to a cruiso and picnic. Tho presentation took tho form of a handsome challenge trophy, to bo known as "The Limbies Cup," to bo awarded for somo event to bo decided by tho yacht club. A miniaturo will be provided ovory year for presentation to the winner.

Mr. P. Thompson, chairman of the limbless men's association, welcomed Captain Keane, commodore, Mr. L. J. Ibbotson, vice-commodore, and members of the yachting club's committee Officers of the Wellington E.S.A. executive were present also. •

It was vory doubtful if the members of the club realised tho full extent of the pleasure which the "limbies" dorived from the outing, said Mr. Thompson. The trip on tho launches and yachts was a novelty to most of them and that alone made' the day a most enjoyabo one. Ho believed that the greatest enjoyment lay in the fact that it was a day of reunion. The sports programme enabled them "to work off stoam" and to show that—except for tho trifling loss of a leg or an arm— thore was nothing much tho matter with them. The small token which, was to bo presented was by no means a measurement of the good wishes that went with it for,tho long and continued success and growth of the Evans Bay Club, said Mr. Thompson. No conditions attached to the .trophy.. Colonel Cowles, president of tho Wellington 8.5.A., said that it gave the U.S.A. great pleasuro to join with the limbless men. Ho presented the cup to Captain Keane. Captain Koane said the club, had npver expected any other reward than that which they got in seeing tho limbless men enjoying themselves. The clnb had always felt that it was a great privilege to do what it could for the disabled^ men; He stressed the importance of yachting to a country such as New Zealand. No sport was more worthy of support. The allocation of the cup would receive very careful consideration, and the club,, would endeavour to allocate it to a spectacular race and tho "limbies" would bo notified.. He thanked the E.S.A. arid the limbless men for their very flno gift.

r Colonel" MeQuavvio, vieo-prcsidont of the 8.5.A., said, twa things had impressed him—tho happy enthusiasm of tho limbless men and the salty tang

emanating froth tho yachtsmen. The way the "limbies" smiled away their troubles was all exaniplo to all. Indoor bowls and ping-pong wore played, and the "limbios" continued as hosts. ,