SAILING CLUB’S GRIEVANCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19594, 25 September 1925, Page 2

SAILING CLUB’S GRIEVANCE.

ASSOCIATION CRITICISED. MOTION TO SEOKDE I/OST. “This club is not getting full value for its four guineas, and can gain nothing by continuing to be associated with the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association. Our delegates have been howled down again and again. All they do at the association meetings is to sling mud at our club. In fact, things have come to such a pass that the fellows xip there ignore the club and push it in the background.” These words were spoken by Mr F. Holden at the annual meeting of the Port Chat more Sailing Club on Wednesday night. The explosion was not unexpected in Otago boating circles, as there had been mutterings of discontent for some time past. The bombshell was thrown when Mr Holden moved a strongly-worded resolution. Before this resolution was put to the meeting, there was a lengthy discussion on the club’s connection with the association, and several members were not backward in voicing their opinions. In fact, they were quite outspoken, and the association was criticised and condemned in no uncertain manner.

Mr Holden’s motion was as follows: That owing to the antagonistic attitude adopted by the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association towards the Port Chalmers Club and the fact that the association is not carrying out. its obligations in the way of fostering all classes of boating, but has developed into a 14-footer association, to the detriment of yachting in general, this club secede from the association, and concentrate on fostering interest in the sport at Port Chalmers.

Mr E. Percy said that as one of the club's delegates he agreed with Mr Holden. The association had not given the club any consideration. As regards protests, he could remember only one occasion on which the association had considered a protest from the club. It certainly did seem that the association considered only the 11-footers. Uo was of the opinion that the association bad not done everything it should have done in the interest of the club. There had been a lot of talk to the effect that the, club was opposed to the association, and all complaints should be ventilated that night. As one of the club’s delegates he had always pushed home any argument which was to the club’s benefit, but be haa not always received a fair and impartial hearing. , , ~ Mr J. T. Paul, on being asked by Air Fercey to express an opinion on the matter, said ho preferred not to do so until after the discussion had finished. It would be far better in the interests of the club that the discussion be confined to the members. , Air T. Anderson said that club members should think well before taking such a drastic stop as was proposed by Mr Holden. He. as a former delegate on the association, knew only too well that suggestions from the club had been turned down by the governing body, but on the other hand, the association had done good work in connection with the sport. Even if the club dropped out, the association would still carry on. lie was of the opinion that the club should continue to send delegates to the association, as they could voice the opinions of the club, and sec how the business was conducted Then if they thought the club was not getting a fair deal, members could decide whether it would be wise to continue to contribute ita quota to tbe association. It was necessary lor the club to be connected with the association, especially in view of Exhibition year, and he felt sure the club would be making a mistake 11 it dropped out at the present moment. Mr H. Collett said he was also of the opinion, that the club should appoint delegates to the association. Mr C. Smith, speaking ns one of the club's former delegates, said there) had certainly been times when the club not got a square deal, while at other times the association had given the club's delegates a hearing. He thought it would be cctrimental to the club if it did not continue to send delegates. If it wore decided to appoint delegates for the ensuing year, then those delegates should bo straight and above board in all their dealings, 7 lie re had certainly been good deal of “mudslinging” at the Port Chalmers Club over tho attitude it had taken in collodion with the proposed Exhibition regatta, but it was explained at the time that the Port Club could not commit itself in any way, but individually the members approved of the project. He was of tho opinion that the club should go on. as in the past, and if it were seen that things were not being conducted as they should be then the club could secede from the association. Mr J. Bain said the association appeared lo think that the club should Eubscribc and commit itself to any project formulated, but all those connected with the sport knew the club was not in a position to do so. Mr Percy said there had been a lot of talk about the amount subscribed by the club to tbe association, and he would like to hear these opinions expressed at that meeting. “I can say emphatically that the club lias not received consideration • at the hands of the association,” were Mr Percy’s concluding remarks. Air G. A. .Wisemen, commodore of the Port Chalmers Club, said there was no doubt that the 14-footers had taken precedence over all other branches of tho sport. This was not surprising, and tho popularity of tho class was proved by the enthusiasm shown when tho Sanders Cup contest was sailed on Otago Harbour in 1922. That enthusiasm was a mere trifle compared with the last Auckland contest. That contest amongst the 14-footers had claimed tho whole of tho interest of the people of Auckland. The speed boat races came next in order of interest. Ho was heart and sou] with tho sport and lie claimed that more interest was taken in 14-footcr racing (hun in any other branch of the sport. To-day Otago was in the unfortunate position of having only three first-class yachts, and it was impossible to classify or race these with the 14footers. The 14-footer was the only class which raised any enthusiasm amongst the public. The id-footers, therefore, took precedence with the association. In referring to tho association, Mr Wiseman said thty must have a head. They had a head, and by all means let them keep it. It would not ruin the club if it continued to Do associated with the governing body. He was thankful that tho club did not commit itself to the Exhibition regatta project, but they all knew that as individuals they had been wiling to give the regatta all the support possible. He would sooner see the club go out of existence than see it sever its connection with the governing body. It was not pleasing to realise now, as one must, that Dnnedin, with a population of about 70,000, could not raise sufficient enthusiasm to’ conduct a decent Exhibition regatta. The chib could not by any means commit the Port Chalmers people to any such project, but he knew they would have been willing to help individually. If tho club withdrew from the association it would be a big mistake, as it would then be loft out in the cold, and would have to run all its club laces and regattas without help or interest from the other boating clnbs in the harbour. In fact, such a move would spell ruination to the club.

Mv Fi Holden, speaking lo his motion, said the association paid its whole attention to the 14-footers. The association was not doing its duty to boat-owners and the clubs, and as a governing body it was a, complete failure. The Port Club was no: -fitting value for its money, and he was still of the opinion that the club should have nothing more to do with the association. Things so far as tho association was concerned ' were going from bad to worse, “Yes; they blackguard us!” said a mem-

ber. Mr H. Collett said that the club delegates bad done their best. All they had said at the association meetings had been logical and to the point. They had, however, been bowled down. He would like to see the club send their delegates back, especially in view of the fact that there was such an important season before tho various dubs. He, however, had no hesitation in saying that the association had been right up against tho Port Club. Port Chalmers had been responsible for stimulating interest in and keeping the 14-footers going. Air Wiseman said that the club delegates wont to the association meetings with the. best intentions, but the majority ruled, and their delegates had to knuckle down. Mr Holden’s motion was put to the vote after an hour and a-half’s discussion, and was lost, only three voting in its favour. Air Paul said that the association certainly did pay more attention to the 14footors, but it should be the object of the clubs not to “bust” the governing body, but to reform it.