OTAGO YACHT ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21774, 13 October 1932, Page 7

OTAGO YACHT ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association was held last night. The president (Mr W. 0. Martin) was chairman, and the following delegates ,'worc present:—Messrs A. W. Hazelwood, J. Smail (Otago),' C, Smith, T. Anderson (Port Chalmers), N. Treurn (Rayensbourne), L. Sanderson, W. J. Davis (Burkes-St. Leonards), T. Brookes (Broad Bay), A. Burt, E. T. Moller (Vauxhall), A. Challis and Captain E. R. Nicholas (North-East Harbour). The chairman N extended a welcome to the new delegates. He specially referred to Cgptain Nicholas, Mr Challis, and Mr Burt, all of whom had had considerable experience in yachting, and would be a valuable acquisition to the association. The chairman also said it was pleasing to welcome Mr Moller back to the association. SANDERS CUP BOATS. When correspondence from the Wellington and Auckland Associations in connection with plans and specifications for building Sanders Cup boats was under discussion, the chairman said that the further the Otago Association broke away from the Rona plan boat the be_ttcr it would be for all concerned. The Auckland Association had drawn up new plans for building boats, and if these were‘accepted, the Otago Association would be saddled with additional expense. The boats, as now built, were far too expensive, and beyond the means of rqost Otago yachtsmen, Mr Burt said that Lord Jellicoe had inquired after his first arrival in Auckland what was the popular small yacht. He visited Bailey’s yard, and the Iron Duke was built.- Then the Desert Gold was built, and the introduction of the 14-footer brought prominent men into the sport, and the actual reason for the introduction of the class by Lord Jellicoe quickly disappeared. Captain Nicholas said it was quite apparent that the Auckland Association was still trying to get further away from the principle of the Sanders Cup contest, as laid down by Lord Jellicoe when .the 14footer class was introduced. Mr' Treurn maintained that the 14footer class had not proved a success on Otago Harbour. What was wanted was a cheaper and a larger boat. The young yachtsmen wire available, and if they could turn out a cheaper boat then the: Sanders Cup contest would be more successful. He was of the opinion that the association would get nowhere ■ until a larger and cheaper boat was introduced. The new Wakatere class of boat, introduced by Mr J. Brooke, of Takapiina (Auckland), should prove a far mare suitable boat for the Sanders Cup contest. The present Rona type boat was far too powerful for a : contest that was actually introduced for youths. The chairman said that he was of the opinion that the trend of the correspondence read that night from the Auckland and Wellington Associations was just the sort of , thing that was going to kill the’ Sanders Cup. contest. A sub-committee consisting of Messrs Smith, Burt, and Treurn was appointed to go fully into the matter of the proposed change in the build of Sanders Cup boats. CONTEST? CHALLENGES.

The association decided to send forward challenges on behalf of Otago' for the Sanders and Cornwell Cup contests. A committee consisting of Messrs Martin, Anderson, Challis, Smail, and Smith was appointed to go into the matter of sailing, officials, and draw up conditions under which the Sanders and Cornwell Cup trial races would be held on Otago Harbour. The chairman said that it was felt in most-quarters that the Sanders Cup contest should be held -as late as possible. He thought the association should communicate with, the Canterbury Association and suggest that the contest be held during the first week in February. It was decided to write to the Canterbury Association on the lines. suggested by the president.:. , ■ _ • Captain Nicholas said the. North-East Harbour Club desired to be allotted one Sanders Cup trial race over its course, as such a trial would create additional interest.

The chairman said the request would be given full consideration by the subcommittee appointed to submit a; report to the association in connection, with the trials. OFFICE-BEARERS. The following office-bearers were elected for. the ensuing yeqr:-—President, Mr W. O. Martin; vice-presidents, Messrs A. W. Hazelwood and T. Brookes; secretary and treasurer, Mr N.'Treurn. , ‘ GENERAL. Messrs Anderson and Sanderson paid a tribute to the very capable manner in which Mr Hewitt had carried put the duties of secretary. Mr Hewitt had proved the best secretary the association had ever appointed. The chairman also paid a tribute to the good work carried out by Mr Hewitt, and said it was to be regretted that the rules prevented him from being re-elected to the position, as he was not a delegate to the association. —lt was decided to place Mr Hewitt’s services on record in the minute book. A letter was read from the - Stewart Island Yacht Club stating that the Canterbury Yacht and Motor Boat Association had been asked to sail the next Sanders Cup contest at Stewart Island. As an inducement to the various provinces, the Stewart Island Club would guarantee to pay the expenses of crews, boats, and one delegate for free return transit between Stewart Island and Bluff. _ The Otago Association was asked to write to the Canterbury Association and support the Stewart Island Club’s suggestion.— The chairman said the matter had already been dealt with by the Canterbury Association, and, as that body, had decided to hold the contest in Canterbury, nothing further could be done, A letter was received from the Vauxhall Power Boat and Sailing Club suggesting that the association should increase the club affiliation fee to £3 3e in order to increase the association’s funds. —Several delegates stated that most of the clubs had been short of funds last year, and thought the time was not opportune to increase the affiliation fee.—lt was decided that the club affiliation fee be £2 2s. „ _ Mr Brookes asked if the association intended to present a miniature of the C. C. Wakefield Cup, allotted for speed boat racing, to last year’s winner. _ He maintained that the winner was entitled to receive a miniature, and, if not, then the competition should not be continued. — Mr Anderson said the allotment of the cup had given the association a great deal of worry, and he was of the opinion that the competition should cease. —It was decided that the members of the association present the winner of the cup (Mr H. Speight) with a miniature. It was also decided to hand the cup back to the Castrol Company. The North-East Harbour Club forwarded a schedule of dates for its races during the coming season.