ANNIVERSARY REGATTA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13869, 1 October 1908, Page 6

ANNIVERSARY REGATTA.

PUBLIC MEETING TO BE HELD. A meeting of the committee which controlled the 1908 Anniversary Regatta' was held in the Harbour Board Building yesterday afternoon, Mr. Alex. . Alison presiding. After some informal discussion as to the, cancelling of the fixture, Mr. S. D. Hanna proposed, "That the chairman and Mr. Somers be appointed to sign cheques for the 1908 committee, and that the bank be notified, and that when the new committee be appointed they hand over the balance of the' funds' to them." The proposal was carried, Mr. .Hanna explaining that the death of the late chairman of the committee had rendered the course necessary. A resolution was, then' carried disbanding the: 1908 committee. ; . A succeeding proposition by Mr. ■ Daere, ."That the 1908 committee be appointed in tote to cany out the 1909 regatta on similar lilies to past gatherings," met with some discussion. Mr. W. C. Somers suggested that the various sailing and yacht clubs should combine and hold the one amalgamated regatta. The Anniversary Regatta should be the regatta of the Dominion. The Ponsonby regatta would- probably bo dropped in favour of the Anniversary Day, Regatta this season. ';> .■•;■. -,-./; Mr. W. Benjamin suggested that.all the various bodies controlling aquatic sports, such as rowing, yachting, motoring, and swimming clubs, . should be written to, and a meeting of delegates'called: in ordei to organise a huge amalgamated regatta. Mr. C. Dacre said the scheme proposed by 31 iv Benjamin would,not work; it'had been tried in the past, but had proved a failure. . Captain Parker said it would be a disgrace if the regatta was allowed to lapse after so many' years. :. Messrs. Chalmers, Endean, and Wilkinson spoke in favour of past methods, and supported the old system of running the regattas. : -v Mr. S. D. Hanna, in refusing to continue as a member of" the committee, spoke very against the action of the Tramways. Company ami. the Auckland Harbour Board when approached for assistance towards the 1908 regatta- They had been insulted .and innuendoes cast at them, and he was not prepared to do anything further towards assisting with regattas.' ' Mr. C. W. Whitley, as one interested in aquatic sport, said ho came there hoping to hear some tangible scheme propounded. He 'was of opinion that -the time had airived for the formation of. a regatta club. Mr. Benjamin then ..moved,' as an amendment. ";That (lie acting-secrekny invite by: circular through the. press the various aquatic bodies to send ] delegates to a pub-, lie meeting for the purpose of organising a. regatta cOmmitteo. for 1909.";■■ I The.'amendment purpose organising regatta'committeo. for 1909." Tho. amendment was carried, and it was .decided- to hold the.-public meeting on October 14, at eight p. iu. •