SPEED BOAT RACING

Evening Star, Issue 22629, 22 April 1937, Page 4

SPEED BOAT RACING

OTAGO POWER CLUB’S FUNCTION Among harbour aquatic organisations the Otago Power Boat Club is supreme for its social activities, the annual smoke concert being an event that is always successful. The function last night was no exception, the large assemblage, which was presided over by Mr W. H. Sell (commodore of the club), participating in a lengthy and enjoyable toast list. The criticism levelled against the association before the selection of the Sanders Cup boat was warmly repued to by Mr G. F. Bewley, when replying to a toast of “The Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association,” which was. briefly proposed by Mr Don. Hardie. A certain section of local yachtsmen, said Mr Bewley, had listened too much to hearsay by persons who knew little about the true method of selection of the province’s contender. In point of fact, these same persons had erroneously said that the boat and its crew had been selected .before real attention had been given by the selectors to their duties. The integrity of these three men was unimpeachable, and the forecast was unfair and entirely unwarranted. The proposer eulogised the administrative progress of the sport, and said that th© association’s pojicy of re-establishing. yachting in Otago was to bo clearly commended. A scheme was to be launched which would have the effect pf encouraging the young type of yachtsman to take a leading part in the sport. To that end each club would bo asked to send two further delegates to a. special meeting of the association. He earnesily hoped that this quest for the talent would be eminently successful. Proposing “ The Crew of Miss Otago,” Mr Hori Camp said that the crew of th© craft were fine sports and had done all in their power to wrest the Masport Cup from the present holders. They were Messrs Stewart, Algie, and Don. Hardie. To challenge for the Masport Cup meant an expenditure of approximately £2OO, said Mr Camp—but there was more—the co-operation of members' of the club, and he sincerely hoped that Otago s quest would soon be successful. The members of the crew briefly responded. , „ “ The Otago Power Boat Club was proposed by Mr F. C. Brown, who said that speed boat racing was now sadly neglected, and expressed the opinion that this club was filling the deficiency of that class of boat admirably—a fact that was recognised by the association. The Commodore briefly replied. Other toasts were: “Sister Clubs,’ proposed by Mr W. G. Hewitt and replied to bv Mr R. Cahill (Otap-o Yacht Club), Mr Hori Camn (Port Chalmers Yacht Club). Mr W. T. Rowlands [North-east Harbour Boating ChiV), Mr C. J. Pettitt (Vauxhall Club), Mr A. D. Asber (Burkes-St. Leonards Club)," and Mr A. Walden (Mussel Bay Club')’; “Kindred Sports.” proposed by Mr H. G. Calvert; “The Press,” " The Entertainers.” and “ The Stewards.” Several items were given during the evening.