THE CHAMPION REGATTA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1032, 11 December 1891, Page 20

THE CHAMPION REGATTA.

PUBLIC MEETING. A public meeting was held in the Council Chamber on Tuesday, for the purpose of making arrangements for the Champion Regatta to be held here on the 22nd January. There was a'fair attendance, and his Worship tha Mayor presided. Amongst

those present were : —Messrs E. IV. Mills (Commodore of the Port Nicholson Yacht Club', L. A. Williams (Rear-Commodore), G. Fisher, M.H.R., G. Beetbam, H. D. Bell (Mayor-elect), J. Ross, and Dr Newman, M.H. R. The Mayor moved, “That the anniversary of the foundation of the Colony be celebrated by holding the first champion yacht races under the New Zealand Yacht Racing Association for first and second-class yachts in Port Nicholson harbour on the 22nd January, 1892, and also the usual Regatta.” There was, he said, a special interest attach, ing to the regatta, as the First and Second Class Championship Yacht Races, under the auspices of the Yacht Racing Association, would be sailed on the occasion. The object of the meeting was to try and get the public to take a little interest in the regatta. He felt convinoed that if the people did not provide the enthusiasm they would provide the neaessary funds. Mr E. W. Mills seconded the motion. He expressed a hope that the people would take the matter up and assist in making the regatta a success. He had always taken a great interest in yachting, and as far back as 1846 he had sailed in the winning vessel. Ever since, the anniversary of the Colcny had been celebrated by a regatta. Wellington was the most central and most important port in tha Colony, and therefore it seemed proper that the anniversary should be celebrated by a regatta. The motion was then put and carried. Mr G. Fisher moved, “ That the Port Nicholson Yacht Club be appointed a committee, with the addition of the following names:—Messrs G. Fisher, M.H.R., Dr Newman, M.H.R., the Mayor-elect (EL D. Bell, Esq.), the Mayor, the members of the Ministry, the officers of the mon-of-war and the captains of the various ships in port at tho time, with power to add, to carry out the necessary details of the forthcoming regatta.” In speaking to the motion he expressed pleasure at the revival of the interest in the regatta, and he was also glad to see the infusion of so much new blood. He referred to the opening of the season last Saturday as the most successful of anysuch gathering ever held in the city, and this, he thought, might be taken as an indication that the regatta would be a success. Dr Newman, in seconding the motion, aid that one of the most important thiugs was to a point a good committee, and he thought a good start had been made by securing the services of a most energetic secretary. The gentlemen proposed would make an excellent Committee, and he felt convinced that the regatta would be a most successful one. The motion was then put and carried.

On the motion of Mr Mills, the nameß of the Harbourmaster and Mr W. Ferguson were added to the Committee.

Mr H. D. Bell moved, “ That subscription lists be opened at once, and the following gentlemen be appointed canvassers : —Te Aro, Mr A. Dixon ; Cook, Mr J. T. Follas ; Lambton, Mr W. H. Quick, J. H. Jack, Geo. Mee ; Thorndon, the Mayor elect, J. Kimbell, W. Widdop; Governmsnt Buildings, E. C. Batkin, J. Holmes, F, C. G. Campbell ; Provincial Buildings, R. Carrington. Speaking to the motion, he said it would not do for the first champion yacht race held in the Colony to be a failure. Although Wellington was not the best harbour in tha Colony for holding a regatta, Auckland being incomparably better for yacht racing, it was the meat central place, and the most convenient for the public, and he hoped that the coming regatta would be the beginning of a long series of similar gatherings. It had been suggested that the ladies of Wellington should be invited to take an interest in the regatta, and he hoped that Mr Mills, as the veteran yachtsman, would induce Mrs Mills to take the lead in the matter. The other ladies, he felt sure, would follow.

Mr G. Beetham seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Mills said he would not fail to act upon the suggestion thrown out by Mr Bell with legard to the ladies. Mr Ross said he was sure from the interest taken in the regatta and the influential committee appointed, that it would be a great success. He announced, amidst applause, that his firm, in addition to giving their annual subscription, would present a trophy for competition at the Regatta. A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the meeting to a olosa