PROPOSED REGATTA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19009, 3 November 1923, Page 16

PROPOSED REGATTA.

MEETING AT PORT CHALMERS. A meeting was held in the Borough Council Chambers at Port Chalmers last night to consider the advisability of holding an annual regatta in the Lower Harbour. Mr Johm Watson (Mayor) presided, and ho stated that he had called the meeting because it was thought there was no reason why regattas should not again be held at Port Chalmers. The attendance at that meeting was not large, but that was owing to the fact that Friday evening was late night for business people, and also the fact that as the opening of the ■ boating season took place the following day a number of boating and yachting men were busy that evening. In years "one by the Port Chalmers regattas were very successful. Although an annual regatta had not been held for two or three years past there was no reason why that state of affairs should continue. Good regattas could again be held. As this was the first meeting it could be regarded as a preliminary meeting, and those present could give the matter full consideration and another meeting could be held again in a week or so to <m further into the matter. They did not want to clash -vyith other/fixturos in the harbour. Perhaps an afternoon between Christmas and New Year would prove suitable. It had also been suggested that a Saturday afternoon in January would be suitable. After discussion. Mr A, Love formally moved that a regatta be held. This was seconded by Mr T. Wright., Several speakers were in favour of the motion. Mr A. AVisoman said the local Sailing Club was in favour of a regatta, and representatives 6f the Queen’s Drive and Port Chalmers Rowing Clubs said these clubs also favoured the holding of a regatta. Mr W. J. Wilson said the small attendance did not augur too well for a regatta. He could recall the time when 70 or 80 attended a preliminary regatta meeting. Finance was a serious matter. Between Christmas and New Year was not a suitable time, in his opinion, but there was no reason why a regatta could not be held in January. , The Chairman said the financial aspect was indeed important, but a regatta could be held on less expensive lines than some regattas of the past. If they dec’ded that evening to hold a regatta they could after consideration cry it off if the result of in- i vestigation meanwhile did not seem to warrant it. It was encouraging to hear one of the men present offer to subscribe five guineas towards a regatta. The motion was carried, and it was then resolved to have a further meeting next Thursday evening, when committees will probably be appointed.