NO REGATTA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23259, 31 January 1939, Page 10

NO REGATTA

WEATHER TOO ROUGH NEXT SATURDAY INSTEAD LONG RECORD BROKEN COMMITTEE'S DECISION The Anniversary Day regatta was postponed yesterday on account of the weather for tho first time in the 89 years of its history. It will bo held next Saturday, when tho whole programme as arranged will bo carried out. It was not the first time that no regatta has been held on tho Anniversary Day holiday. Tho event was abandoned in 11)00 on account of tho many calls on tho public through tho South African War. A meeting of tho regatta committee was held in tho harbourmaster's office at 8 o'clock yesterday morning. The chairman, Mr. G. M. Dennes, had previously communicated with East Cape and had been advisod that a gale was blowing there. Unanimous Decision Mr. Dennes consulted tho president of the regatta, Sir Ernest Davis, the harbourmaster, Captain H. H. Sergeant, and the vice-chairman, Mr. A. Thompson, and when the situation was communicated to tho committee it was unanimously decided, owing to tho high easterly wind, the likelihood of conditions becoming worse in view of the report from East Cape, and the heavy rain, to postpone the event. Competitors were notified by radio and all other availablo means.

"The responsibility of tho regatta committee becomes greater every year cn account of tho huge number of entries and the increase in small craft," said Mr. Dennes subsequently. "There would havo been 2000 men in the crews of the boats. Tho smaller classes have become greatly in the majority in recent years and 60 per cent of the boats entered were under 18ft. Risk o! Accident

"With tho wind dead into the harbour and tho tide running out against it in the early afternoon and putting up a heavy sea, tho chances of accident would have been very great. The sea that was running in the harbour in the afternoon fully justified the decision." Conditions in Hobson Bay would also have made it practically impossible to have held the naval aquatic carnival or the speedboat races, he added, and difficulty would have been experienced in mooring; the officials' boat, the William C. Daldy, and the punts in their exposed positions in Hobson Bay. It was further considered that as the public contributed largely to the funds of the regatta it was entitled to see it. Much' painstaking work on the part of yachtsmen was involved in preparations for yesterday's racing. It is almost an unwritten law among yachtsmen that they should not compete in the regatta unless their vessels have been thoroughly cleaned and all gear is in first-class condition for the events. Most boats were hauled out for cleaning recently, while some owners had adhered to the old habit of blackleading the hulls below the waterline. Fortunately little of the work will have been wasted, as it will not be necessary to repeat tho preparations with only a week's postponement.

Visiting Grait Four Wellington yachts were sent back by train last night as the crews were unable to stay the extra week. Several speedboats had beon brought from Huntly to. compete. They will remain and take part in Saturday's races. Several yachts had been sent across from the Manukau, and they also will remain in the Waitemata until next Saturday. , The Royal Now Zealand Yacht Squadron was to have held races for the Governor-General's Cup for A class keelers and harbour races for other classes on Saturday. Tho events will be postponed, probably for a fortnight. The Victoria Cruising Club has also postponed races it was to have held next Saturday. Of previous unfavourable regatta days ono of the worst in memory was in 1937, when there was heavy rain, thick haze and a strong south-easterly wind. The rainfall on that occasion was 1.98 in. for the 24 hours, compared with 4.51 in. yesterday. The wind on that occasion did not blow so directly into the harbour as was the case yesterday. LOSS OF BUSINESS DESERTED BEACHES SHOPKEEPERS DISAPPOINTED Shopkeepers at Auckland's principal beaches all expressed deep disappointment with Anniversary Day takings. The beaches were practically deserted yesterday ajrul some of the shops did not even open. Most shopkeepers regard this season as one of the worst on record, and all were looking forward to a good Anniversary Day to help them through the winter, when business is almost at a standstill. "I doubt if we will take £lO to-day, whereas on a good Anniversary Day our takings are about £200," said the manager of a tearooms and confectionery shop at Milford which is always crowded on a fine holiday. There were only a score of people there yesterday afternoon. "This summer has been disastrous for us," said another shopkeeper. "A fine Anniversary Day would have meant a lot to us. So far we have not had a customer all day." "There is not a soul on the beach this afternoon; had it been fine tho beach would havo been crowded." The person who made this statement has a large shop and tearooms at Mission Bay. Business being so quiet, ho said he had not troubled to open more than one section of his shop.