KARITANE REGATTA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20292, 28 December 1927, Page 13

KARITANE REGATTA.

A POPULAR FIXTURE. The Karitane regatta has become a recognised holiday fixture, and that it has gained, favour with the public was evidenced yesterday by the large crown of holiday makers and picnickers at the pleasant little seaside resort. A lengthy programme of aquatic events had been arranged, but unfortunately the state of the tide did not permit of the starting of the rowing events until 3.30 p.m., by which time conditions were perfect. With the much appreciated assistance of the crews, who entered into the spirit of the regatta, the rowing events were got off well up to time, and these proved the most interesting of the day. A pleasing and very significant feature of the rowing events was the presence of a crew from the Oamaru Boating Club, and this club is to be congratulated for its enterprise in once again travelling afield. In view of the conditions under which this club trains it was decidedly to its credit that its crew nut up such a good performance. The officials worked most energetically, and, with the intimate knowledge of all details, Mr A. H. Bremner was an ideal secretary. A feature of the regatta was the race between the outboard motor boats. The winner was built by Mr Lionel Paul, of Dunedin. An energetic committee carried out a lengthy and varied programme of children’s events. Following are the results: — YOUTHS’ FOURS. Port Chalmers No. 2 1 Port Chalmers No. 1 8 Oamaru 3 Won by two with a length separating second and third. JUNIOR DOUBLE SCULLS. Queen’s Drive Boating Club 1 Port Chalmers Club ... 2 North End Club 3 Also competed: Otago Rowing Club. Won by a canvas, with two lengths between second and third. SENIOR FOURS. Queen’s Drive Club 1 North End Club 2 Only starters. Won by a length. ItLALDEN FOURS. Otago Rowing Club 1 Port Chalmers No. 22 Oamaru Boating Club 3 Also competed: Port Chalmers No. 1, North End No. 1, North End No. 2, and Queen’s Drive. Won by a canvas, with a length separating second and third. SENIOR DOUBLE SCULLS. Otago Club 1 Queen’s Drive Club 2 North End Club 3 The only starters. Won by three lengths, with a length between second and third. JUNIOR FOURS. Port Chalmers Club No. 1 1 North End Club 2 Queen’s Drive Club ... 5 Also started: Port Chalmers Club No. I, Otago Club.^ Won by a canvas, with a length separating second and third. MAIDEN DOUBLE SCULLS. Port Chalmers Club 1 Otago Club 2 Queen’s Drive Club 3 Also started: North End Club. Won by half a length, with a length between second and third. YOUTHS’ DINGHY PAIR-OARED RACE. S. and C. M'Kenzie 1 GIRLS’ DINGHY PAIR-OARED RACE. Misses Stevenson and Moodie 1 Misses M’George and Schofield 2 YOUTHS’ SINGLE-OARED HANDICAP. J. Moodie T R Stevenson 2 LADIES’ SINGLE-OARED HANDICAP Miss Stevenson 1 GIRLS’ DOUBLE-SCULL DINGHY RACE. Misses M'George and Schofield 1 Misses Stevenson and Moodie 2 OUTBOARD MOTOR BOAT RACE. Samson 1 Caille 2 Four swimming events figured on the programme, but only one was decided. This was the race for men over 18 years of age, and was won by Jacobs.

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SECRETARYSHIP. TO THE EDITOR Sib, — Last week there appeared in your columns some letters crying out about the appointment of secretary of the Chamber of Commerce being given to Mr H. P. West, retiring district traffic manager, N.Z.R. What is all the fuss about, anyhow? Is not the Chamber of Commerce entitled and competent to appoint its secretary without such abuse and criticism ? Although “ Railway Official ” may have divulged the pension receivable by Mr West correctly, he is wrong as regards Mr Spence. The latter did not get £IOOO a year from the Exhibition, nor did he draw a pension of about £7OO from the Government. As a matter of fact, during the time the Exhibition was open Mr Spence was merely receiving back from the Government part of his own money paid into the fund. This happens in the case of every Government servant for some time after retirement on superannuation. In any case, the directors were apparently qualified to select a secretary without considering his Government pension or other private means. The Chamber of Commerce is in the same position and is responsible for its actions to no one, not even the “man in the street.” It is interesting to note that both of the bodies referred to are composed of “ old men ” at whom another correspondent throws a cheap gibe—probably some of the same “ old men ” whose homes “.Public Accountant ” saved when he went to the war. If “Public Accountant” had said ■whether he volunteered or waited till conscripted, the public would be better able to assess the value of his war service. To come back to the appointment, however. It appears that an accountant who is keen on a job which “ Ignatus ” says is worth £250 to £350, is either not much good in his profession, or, if a young man, he is after the secretaryship merely to use it as a stepping-stone -and walk out when something betters turns up. No doubt, the “old men ” on the executive of the_ Chamber of Commerce recognised this and appointed a man of mature years who was not entirely relying on the salary the job carried. In any case, the position is not one requiring an accountant. As to_ men with other sources of income doing gardening work, is it surprising that some of them get work in that line when rough gardeners (I am not referring to experts) ask as much as 15s per day ? There are too many busybodies about who are ready to assses other people’s incomes without knowing all the facts. I would suggest that your correspondents get acquainted with one another (per medium of an advertisement) and wait on the Public Service Commissioner, and point out to him the wastefulness of retiring fit, men under 60 years of age, who compete for outside work with men such as have complained about Mr West’s appointment. Incidentally, retaining men till they are 60 would help the taxpayer as regards the fund, as it was not actuarially framed in the first case to pension men under 60 ; and, further it would lessen the defalcations in one large Government department which had a drastic weeding out of “ old men ” in 1921. Since then this one department has suffered more from defealcations, mostly by young men promoted, than it did for the previous 15 years.—l am. etc., Os'E Who Kxo'.v.s. Dunedin, December 26.