WHAT YACHTSMEN REQUIRE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3264, 22 October 1897, Page 3

WHAT YACHTSMEN REQUIRE.

The necessity for the construction of a slip waa urged upon the members of the Harbour Board yesterday, when the Poet Nicholson Yacht Club forwarded a petition on the subject. It was pointed out that the larger yachts had to be taken round to the patent slip, and great inconvenience was experienced through there being no other place at present available. The interest on tho capital spent on the project, say £4OO, would be more than made up by the yachts alone, to say nothing of other vessels that would utilise the slip. The Board was approached on the subject in 1895, when a return was forwarded, showing that the total value of yachts and boats was £*1720, and the annual cost and maintenance £O7B. There were 35 vessels at that time, and the number had increased since.

Mr Beauchamp remarked that he .was quite in sympathy with the proposal. Yachtsmen were at present ' labouring under a disadvantage, and, if possible, the Board should formulate some scheme that would meet their wishes.

At this stage a deputation from the club —Messrs G.Mee (commodore), A. H. Turnbull (vice-commodore) and- J. P. Maxwell —waited upon the Board. Mr Mee pointed out that since the breastworks and reclamation had been carried out the places where the yachts used to be located had disappeared. With the exception of the patent slip and another, which was in private hands, owners of vessels had nowhere to go, and if the Board erected a slip it would be to the Board’s own advantage. Tno Chairman (Mr Fraser) informed the deputation that the Board was of opinion that something should be done if possible in the direction indicated. In the meantime, however, as they were aware, considerable changes were under the consideration of members, and it would bo necessary to defer the matter until they knew exactly what they were going to do in regard to the proposed dock. He had no doubt some provision would be made ; the question would receive attention later. The deputation then withdrew.