REGATTA POSTPONEMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23259, 31 January 1939, Page 8

REGATTA POSTPONEMENT

Although an Auckland Anniversary Day without its regatta is like lamb without mint sauce or Gilbert without Sullivan, there was wisdom in the decision of the committee yesterday to postpone the wide and varied programme of harbour events until next Saturday. Even to the most enthusiastic yachtsman a day afloat yesterday could have brought no great degree of pleasure, while leaden skies, a blustering wind and pouring rain would have ruined the harbour spectacle of white sail and foaming wake which Aucklanders are accustomed to observe on the fixed birthday of the province. However, the fact that this is the first recorded postponement of the regatta since its inception in 1850 does not mean that local yachtsmen have degenerated into a race of smooth-water sailors. There is proof in plenty that they are as keen in spirit as the men who raced trading scows in the days when the port was young. The owners and crews of pleasure boats to-day have inherited a tradition which makes them ready to pit brain and muscle against all the vagaries of the weather, but the fact mainly responsible, for yesterday's postponement was the large entry of small boats. Interest in these craft is a comparatively recent development, providing a valuable outlet for the enthusiasm of juvenile sailors. Nevertheless, there is a responsibility on the authorities to see that small boats are not raced under conditions which might involve risk to their youthful crews. Such conditions probably existed yesterday, and, although larger boats would have been available to render any necessary assistance, experiences earlier (his summer definitely support the view of the regatta committee that senseless risks should not be part of the sport of yachting. It is to be hoped that more favourable weather conditions will rule on Saturday and that one of the great aquatic carnivals of the Southern Hemisphere will give a full measure of enjoyment to all who participate in it.