YACHTSMEN FORGATHER

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11874, 7 July 1924, Page 3

YACHTSMEN FORGATHER

ANNUAL SMOKE CONCERT ROYAL PORT NICHOLSON YACHT CLUB., LARGE and distinguished GATHERING. The annual smoke concert and distribution of prizes in connection with the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club took place on Saturday evening, in Dustin’s tearooms, Cuba street. It was quite a distinguished gathering, and some , very interesting and appropriate speeches were delivered. The keynote of all the speeches was the regret felt on all sides at the approaching departure of His Excellency the Governor-General. The commodore (Mr Berkeley Clarke) presided, and among those present were the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, Hon. C. E. Statham, Hon. G. J. Anderson (Minister for Marine), Mr A. L. Monteith, M.P., Captains Post, Chudley and Dawson, and Messrs J. F. Mills and D. K. Blair. A SUCCESSFUL' SEASON. The chairman extended a hearty welcome to the Governor-General and all the other distinguished visitors. In referring to the past yachting season. Ml Clarke said that, taking everything into consideration, it had been a most successful season. The sailing of the Sanders Cup contest in Wellington in January last had given a great fillip to yachting in dhe harbour. Whilst the club was not what may be termed wealthy, the financial position was satisfactory. • Mr Clarke then presented a life-mem-bership badge of the club to Lord Jellicoe. and also one for His Excellency’s son. The badges are of gold, hearing the club’s motto and inscribed as follows :—“Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club. Life member. Viscount Jellicoe, of Scapa; July stb, 1924. - Berkeley Clarke, commodore ’’ OUR POPULAR GOVERNORGENERAL. The toast of the Governor-General was .proposed by tho commodore, who expressed pleasure at having His Eixeellency with them that evening, and the keen sense of loss felt by the club at his impending departure.' Probably LoTd Jellicoe was tho keenest .yachtsman of any Governor-General of New Zealand.

VISCOUNT JELLICOE’S REPLY

KEEN REGRET AT PARTING. WELLINGTON'S FINE HARBOUR. In replying to tho toast Viscount Lord Jellicoe expressed his gratitude for the honour of life-membership conferred upon himself and his son. He could assure them that it was tho only yacht club in the world of which he was a life member, and also the onlv yacht club of which liis son was a member. When he informed his son of the honour conferred upon him he would be. just as pleased as he was. He would always remember the many pleasant times spent amongst the Wellington yachtsmen, and he felt a keen regret at parting. ,He expressed regret at being unable to give more time to yachting in Wellington, but as they knew his length of residence iri Wellington depended upon Parliamentary sessions. Whilst he would not be drawn to make comparisons, he would say that Wellington possessed a fine harbour, even if the winds were somewhat fjuky for yachting. He regretted not being present when the Sanders Cup contest was sailed in Wellington. He said this would probably be his final opportunity of meeting Wellington