ANNUAL REGATTA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22584, 24 November 1936, Page 14

ANNUAL REGATTA

PAST SEASON'S WORKING PLANS FOR CENTENARY NEWLY-ELECTED OFFICIALS "It is tho duty of tho citizens to support tho Auckland Anniversary Regatta, as it celebrates tho foundation of Auckland," said the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, at tho annual meeting of the regatta committee last night. Mr. T. L. Thompson presided over a very large attendance. The report stated that exceptionally good yacht entries were received last year, tho regatta catering for every class of vessel from the large keel yachts down to the midgot sailing dinghies. This year the programme included a special race for visiting Cornwall and Sanders Cup crews and a race for (ho Silver Kern class. The meetings committee was ably represented at the several centenary celebrations conferences. As yet these meetings have not proceeded beyond the shadow organisation of tne function. It behoved regatta members to keep in close touch with developments, firstly, to see that yachting was accorded its due place in the celebrations, and, secondly, in the direction of preparing tentative plans for the 10111 regatta. Ity virtue of its long association with the birthday of Auckland, the regatta would be one of the major portions of tho centenary celebrations and for this reason the committee should have substantial representation on the controlling executive. Tho report expressed its thanks for the co-operation received from tho New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, from Mr. C. G. Maciudoe, the Auckland Harbour Board and its staff, and to the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis. The statement of accounts showed a credit balance of £lO on the year's working. The receipts included £2OB from donations and £B3 from entrance fees. The principal item of expenditure was £"J10 for prize-money. In congratulating the committee on the success of last year's regatta, the Mayor said he looked upon the regatta as a sacred trust handed down b,v the pioneers of Auckland, and he considered it his. duty as Mayor to support the function. Referring to the 1010 centenary celebrations Mr. Davis said he had made a start in the matter and his plans had been adopted by the Government. He had not lost sight of the viewpoint of the regatta, but it was impossible at present to get down to details. A meeting would be held shortly and, when a basis had been arrived at, tho requirements of the regatta would receive due consideration. The election of officers resulted:—Patron, the Governor-General, Viscount Galway; vicepatrons, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, Mr. C. G. Macindoe, Rear-Admiral the Hon. E. R. Drunimond; president, the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis; chairman, Mr. E. Griffiths; vice-chair-man. Mr. G. Dennes; hon. secretary, Mr. J. C. Hewson; lion, treasurer, Mr. J. McGehan; hon. solicitor. Mr. J. B. Johnston; auditor. Mr. B. W. Beaumont; hon. assistant secretary, Mr. L. R. Matthews. A donation of £2O was received from Mr. J. R. Savory, of San Francisco, and 20gns. from tho Mayor. The retiring chairman, Mr. T. L. Thompson, was presented with a photographic album containing views of tho last anniversary regatta. In making the gift on behalf of tho committee, the Mayor paid a tribute to the services rendered by Mr. Thompson during his two years of office.