REGATTA ASSOCIATION IN STORMY WEATHER

Northern Advocate, 18 December 1936, Page 12

REGATTA ASSOCIATION IN STORMY WEATHER

ANNIVERSARY DAY PICNIC The vessel conveying success on the voyage of renaissance of aquatic regattas in Whangarei has sprung a leak. After an auspicious launching, a splendid maiden trip and a year of excellent service, its progress has been jolted and now it is in dry dock awaiting a scheme whereby it will again be made seaworthy. The Whangarei Regatta Association sprang to life from practically a mere nothing, was characterised by an assuring element of keenness and germinated into a healthy being. It flowered profusely last Anniversary Day, and, under prudent guardianship, had consolidated and fitted itself for a life of prosperity. It seemed to shine with possibilities, but once again it has been proved that all that glitters is nc-t gold. The association’s initial essay was a picnic regatta last January 29. It incorporated yacht and launch events arranged by the Criiising Club, rowing races organised by the local club, swimming promoted by that organisation and events on shore under the aegis of members of the committee. It was a great success, but a dance conducted by the association in the Onerahi Hall in the evening played a big part in making it so financially.

Right to Hall Waived,

In previous years, however, it has been the custom of the Cruising Club to stage its annual club regatta on Anniversary Day, winding up with the social at night. Last season, it waived its right to the Onerahi Hall in favour of the association, as also did the Rowing Club, which, at that time, was conducting very successful dances in Whangarei. Both bodies threw in their lot with the regatta authority, and so a very desirable result was accomplished. . The picnic regatta was intended as a stepping-off stone. The association bad resolved to supersede it with the first of the series of annual regattas similar to those which, up to 1&31, took place at Onerahi each New Year’s Day. For the purpose of ensuring a continuity of effort in this direction, Messrs P. H. Basley, president of the association, M. A. McKenzie, commodore of the cruising club, and H. Patterson, captain of the rowing club and secretary of the association, were appointed a committee to effect preparations.

Change in Plans. However, at its annual meeting a few weeks ago, the association found that it was not in a position to launch out as intended. .Time wag too short to permit of a big regatta being stag'ed on New Year’s Day, for which Whangarei still retained the permit. At the annual meeting of the Regatta Association, which was well attended by representatives of the cruising and rowing clubs and others interested, the then president, Mr Easley, declined re-election on account of pressure of business. The Cruising Club commodore, Mr McKenzie, was then elected. With circumstances forbidding the staging of a big regatta,it was decided that this season another picnic event would take place.

All Not Well

At a recent committee meeting, howthe association discovered that all was not well. As was the case last season, it was depending on the proceeds of the regatta dance to bring it out on the right side financially. According to the secretary, Mr H. Patterson,- it was found, when application was made for the use of the Onerahi Hall on the night of January 29, that the Cruising Club had applied and had been granted it by the Onerahi Town Board.

Mr Patterson alleges, however, that the Cruising Club made its application after the annual meeting of the association. Mr Patterson and Mr W. Wilson were deputed to wait on the club at its quarterly general meeting last week, requesting that it forego its right to the use of the hall and cede such to the association. The request, it is understood, was supported by members of the club, but when put to a vote was refused. The question came to a head at an executive meeting of the association this week. No regatta is to be held on January 29 and the president. Mr McKenzie, and a member, Mr A. michael, resigned.

Mr Patterson’s Comment. When approached, Mr Patterson stated: “We have learnt from the Onerahi Town Board that the Cruising Club applied for the use of the Onerahi Hall on January 29 after the association’s annual medfing. That being so, it is evident that the club is not pulling its weight. It is also significant that at the association's annual meeting, sevei’al Cruising Club members refused to act on the sub-com-mittees, which were appointed to carry out arrangements for and general management of the regatta. Of the executive of 22. only four belonged to the Cruising Club." Mr Patterson maintained that, as the Cruising Club derived 75 per cent, of the benefit accruing from a regatta, it should again be prepared to forego the lease of the hall on January 29. The profit derived from last season's regatta amounted to £2B odd, but the association collected £3l odd from two regatta dances, which proves that the regatta was not self-supporting to

the extent of about £4, simply on account of it being on a small scale in accordance with the association's policy of sound establishment. > Should any regatta be staged at a loss, the executive would have to make good any deficiencies from their own pockets. Although prepared to work towards making the regattas a success, the members did not feel inclined to put themselves to any personal cost.

Mr Patterson pointed out that, as a stimulant of interest, regattas did a world of good to the Cruising Club. He also said that the social committee elected at the association's annual meeting contained 11 members, only one of whom came from the Cruising Club.

Cruising- Club Case

The Cruising Club commodore, Mr McKenzie, said definitely that the hall was booked before the annual meeting of the association. ,

The Cruising Club had understood that the association would carry on with its original proposal, and. while under this impression, had drafted its programme of events for the present season. This included its club regatta at On era hi on Anniversary Day, and. according to custom, the staging of a dance in the Onerahi Hall in the evening.