OTAGO'S TROUBLES

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 21, 25 January 1936, Page 23

OTAGO'S TROUBLES

CLUBS RAISE MONEY

All Wellington ' yachtsmen were glaojto receive the news that Otago waslto be represented in the Sanders Cup and Cornwell Cup this year. According to a southern authority no sport in Otago has been dogged; so persistently with administrative troubles or acrimonious personal grievances as yachting. These squabbles have done untold har,m to the sport in the province and the trouble experienced in regard to the two crews was regarded as the natural sequel to a long chapter of discontent. The Yachting Association feared till the last moment that the necessary finance needed to send the veteran Val and McGrath's crew to Auckland would not be forthcoming, but some of the local clubs came forward, and the required amount was eventually raised.

One difficulty inseparable from yachting is that no "gate"' is received from races, but, even allowing for the emptiness of the public pocket, it is interesting to contrast the present position with that of the year when June was the province's contender for the cup. Her skipper, a true enthusiast, waited on the association for its consideration of his wish to travel north a week before the contest opened, providing that £50 was obtained by him as part of the expenses for the trip, in order that he could give his crew every opportunity for practice. The £50 was quickly forthcoming.