YACHTSMEN FORGATHER

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11738, 28 January 1924, Page 11

YACHTSMEN FORGATHER

IN CARNIVAL MOOD SPEECHES BY CONTESTANTS. THE KEAL PLEASURE OP YACHTING. The visiting yachtsmen were entertained by the Wellington Yacht and Motor Boat Association at a convivial gathering and <c smoko” in the Town Hall Council Chamber on Saturday evening. Mr. W. Duncan, the president, presided over a large attendance, which included the Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright, M.P.), officials of the Dominion Council, Mr J. F. Johnstone, chairman of.the Auckland Association, Mr. A. L. Monteith, M.P., and many others. The loyal toast was enthusiastically honoured. A UNIQUE OCCASION. A welcome to the visitors was extended by the chairman, who declared the occasion was a unique one, as it was the first time that the city of Wellington had seen such a large number of visiting yachtsmen from all parts of the Dominion. He hoped that on the next occasion they would be the defenders of the Sanders Cup. The Wellington people, he said, recognised that they would have to build a new boat if they were to be in that proud position. “But I must say,” he added, “that we were frankly surprised at the way our boat sailed 1 If the races had kept cun, we believe that she would have won a race in time!” (Laughter.) Once again Mr Duncan extended a warm welcome to the visiting yachtsmen, declaring that he hoped they would make ir 5 a “night of nights/’ (Applause.) It would be their own fault if they did not do so. The Wellington Association wanted to make the occasion a special one, as when they were next due to forgather some of tnose present that night might not be in the sport. He was glad to see such a large and representative gathering of yachtsmen present from all parts of the Dominion. MAYOIt WELCOMES VISITORS. The toast of “Our Visitors” was proposed by the Mayor (Mr Wright), who spoke in a humourous vein, comparing election and yachting contests. He declared that he fully realised the anxiety on the part of the competitors, although he had not sailed a boat in a yacht race. JLaughter.) The Mayor related election incidents at length, and caused much laughter. He believed, after much experience in these matters, that . book makers knew better than most people (Laughter.) Yachting contests, however were very different, and ooncluded in quite a different woy. He felt that, whichever boat should win the Sanders Cup, that the others would shake the crew by the hands, wish them well, and heartily congratulate them. One should always be good friends with opponents whether one won or lost. '‘l hope that we will see you here again in due course,” declared Mr Wright, “and that we will have another opportunity to welcome you in our midst. It is only right that you should hold, your contests in other centres as well. We only want our turn. . . . We hope that you will go away with kindly tfeelings regarding Wellington’s hospitality, and that you will come hack again!” (Applause.) The Mayor also made reference to the importance of the Sanders Cup contest, which he quite recognised was one of great value as an incentive to yachtsmen all over the Dominion, and wished the contestants well. AUCKLAND’S GOOD WISHES. Mr J, B. Johnstone (Auckland), who was received with much applause, repiied to the last toast, declaring that he appreciated the kind words of welcome of the chairman and the Mayor. Hr sincerely thanked the Wellingtonians foi their hospitality. There had been a few idle rumours floating round regarding Auckland, but he asked all preseht to act as he had done—to take no notice of them. It was the desire of the Auckland representatives that the contest should be put through properly. They believed that if one province won the cup too often it would not be good for the contest. The Aucklanders did not desire to win the trophy on every occasion. They would rather be prepared to sacrifice the Bona on what he might term “the altar of her own success.” (Applause.) If these contests were to be Worth while they would have to b® fought out in the proper sporting way, Tar more important to the interest of yachting lay beneath the event itself, and that was the friendships cemented, “AN E/YE-OPENKR/’ Mr H. Moller, of Otago, also spoke. He that the sailing or the Auckland boat had been an eye-opener to them all. 1 he. three left in the contest were all particularly fine boats. They were out to win while engaged in the sport, but recognised that they had been fairly and squarely beaten. It was their hope, however, that they would have another boat to enter next time. It was the hope of the Dunedinites, he said, to have the contest there in Exhibition year. SOUTHLAND’S GOAL. *2 tfce „ course of his reply, Mr H. Monet, of Southland, referred to the honour attached to winning the Sanders Gup, and its history. It was the intention of his province to annex the Cup; indeed, it would be a calamity if it did not come to Half Moon Bay. (Laughter ana applause). His colleagues from Stewart Island had much appreciated the welcome accorded them while In Wellington. . C. D. Harkese, of Canterbury, believed the Linnet would be in at the finish, but if they did not win, tliev would have still another try. (Applause!) H. McCarthy, of the Napier Association (the youngest in the Dominion), did not think that the Konini had disgraced herself, while he knew they had much yet to learn. He wished the win ner of the Cup every success. “And "You can rest assured,” he added, “that next time Napier will be there.” The statement was received with applause. AUCKLAND HOPEFUL. Mr E. J. Kelly also spoke on behalf of the Auckland Association, stating that he was still hopeful of the final result of the Sanders Cup. (Applause.) He regretted that they had not been able to get a race off that afternoon, which he recognised was a disappointment to

Wellington public. He was afraid that their chairman would have to suffer a good many hard knocks in consequence. It was unfortunate that the decision should have taken such a long time to arrive at, but they could not have tossed a penny and finished it that way as one Wellingtonian had afterwards suggested to him. Auckland’s lead in yachting matters, he said was only natural, as the Hauraki Gulf was the natural yachting ground of New Zealand. The visitors from the North had much appreciated the courtesy extended them during their stay in Wellington. Hr Duncan responded to the! toast of the local association, and said this was the first year in which the Wellington annual regatta had been run by the association. The Sanders Cup contest coming at the same time kept them busy, but he hoped that Wellington yachtsmen would realise that such contests did good, and next year they hoped to have a boat which would beat Rona. REGATTA DAT PRIZES. The Mayor iMr Wright) presented the prizes won on Regatta day. The principal winners were as follow Ist class yachts, Mr T. Petherick’s Kotiri 1, Mr B. Clark’s Marangi 2. 2nd class yachts, Mr N. D. Blair's Hawene 1, Messrs Martin, and Rose's Venus 2. 3rd class yachts, i

t Mr Jock Breen’s Miru 1, Mr T. McCori mack's Amai 2. General handicap yacht . race, Messrs Scott and Jordan’s Ailsa l 1, Mr C. Holmes’s Wairere I. 2, lHft d and under, Mr A. Aldred’s Irex 1, Mr 1 E. R. Clunie Ross’s Peggy 2. Jellicoe s class, Mr J. Gifford's Rona 1, Konini 2. 1 Rona class for Mr J. B. Johnstone's f special prize of J 825, Mr Francis’s June s 1. Rona 2. Launch, race over 7 knots. - Josephine 1. Launch race under 7 knots, - Dolphin 1. General handicap for - launches, Waione 1. ; Mr Monteith, M.P., proposed the toast of kindred clubs, and said he knew they b had some good sailors, especially amongst b the young men. Ho hoped the sport i would become more popular still, a Commodore Berkeley Clark, of the t Royal Port Nicholson Tacht Clnb, re- , plied on behalf of his club. Commodore A. Aldred, of the Here--1 taunga Boating Club, Mr Fred Kiernan, 3 Vice-Cominodore of Wellington Motor Boat Club, Mr. C. Holmes, Evans Bay, also replied on behalf of their clubs. Mr J. D. Cameron (Dunedin) proposed a the toast of the Press and paid a tribute - to the assistance given by the press of 3 the Dominion to the Sanders Cup. c Mr W. A. Wilkinson (Auckland) re- , pMed and said that the Press was always - willing to help the sport of yachting, , and the interest taken in the Sanders

Cnp was shown by the fact that some ; of the leading papers had sent special . representatives to Wellington to get full reports of the races. I’ ully 15,000 people, ■ Mr Wilkinson said, would he waiting in i Auckland this evening to hear the result . of the day’s races. Speaking as a yacnts- ! man Mr Wilkinson said he hoped the i Sanders Cup contest would never die . out and that new boats would be built , each year to keep it going. The gathering concluded with votes of thanks to the Mayor and the chairman : (Mr Duncan), proposed by Mr J. B. John- ■ stone and carried by acclamation. An enjoyable programme of musical : Items was given daring the evening.