PRIZES PRESENTED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22352, 25 February 1936, Page 12

PRIZES PRESENTED

ANNIVERSARY REGATTA SMOKE CONCERT HELD 1 INTERESTS OF YACHTSMEN I Yachtsmen from nearly all the clubs' in Auckland attended the smoke concert hold in the Victoria Cruising Club's rooms last night, when the prizes won at the Auckland Anniversary Regatta were presented by the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, Mr. C. G. Macindoe. The chairman of the regatta committee, Mr. T. L. Thompson, presided, and among those at the official table were the commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Lieu-tenant-Commander J. T. Lean, of H.M.S. Philomel, Mr. D. Holderness, superintendent of the Harbour Board, Captain H. H. Sergeant and Captain. W. Gardiner, and Messrs. A. E. Braund and E. B. Webster, ex-chairmen of the regatta committee. Mr. Thompson referred to the success of the regatta, and thanked the donors of trophies, and the business people and others who contributed so generously each year to the funds of the committee. Mr. Thompson also referred to the splendid service given to the regatta by the members and officials of the Auckland Harbour Board. Help From Harbour Board The toast of "The Auckland Harbour Board" was proposed by the vicechairman of the committee, Mr. E. Griffiths, who said yachtsmen were grateful to the board for what they had received in the past, but would appreciate a little more if they could get it. Replying to the toast, Mr. Holderness said the Board had always had a remarkably soft place in its heart for the yachting and boating community of Auckland. "The board is not unlimited in its purse," continued Mr. Holderness. "It is looked on as, and is, a wealthy body, but it has great responsibilities. It has had to make a port, and although Nature has presented us with a wonderful waterway, it has been necessary for the Harbour Board to develop the harbour, and this has been a costly business." The board had schemes ahead for the commercial development of the harbour, and accommodation for the yachting and boating community, said Mr. Holderness. It was as anxious as the yachtsmen to give them all the facilities they asked for, and could possibly need, but. these would be given when the board could afford them, and with caution. Tribute to Organisation Mr. Macindoe said that after paying a visit to the regatta committee's flagship, he was amazed to find that the organisation was so perfect and complete. It had made a glorious day for Auckland, and he hoped that for many years to come the people of Auckland would have the pleasure and privilege of seeing what they had been able to see on January 29. "The Auckland Harbour Board has a very definite interest in the welfare of yachtsmen," said Mr. Macindoe. "While you may n6t think you have received all that you are entitled to, we want you to feel that you are part and parcel of our institution. We are alive to our responsibilities and seized with your interests." Unity of the Clubs The toast of "Kindred Clubs" was proposed by Mr. E. B. Webster, an ex-chairman of the regatta committee. He said the clubs had always worked together, and when they approached the Harbour Board they had been well received at all times. If they continued their unity, there was no doubt that the harbour would progress. The commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Mr. Gifford, said all the clubs had worked in harmony from the squadron to the smallest club on the harbour. He suggested that the clubs should combine to select half a dozen yachtsmen and place them on the Harbour Board at the next election. They would then get a littlo niore than from members who were not interested in yachting.