YACHTSMEN AT VARIANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22710, 24 October 1935, Page 9

YACHTSMEN AT VARIANCE

PORTOBELLO CLUB UNDER FIRE There was some further discussion at a meeting of the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association last night concerning the new Portobello Sailing Club, but, as on a previous occasion, no resolution was carried. Mr C. Petitt (Vauxhall Club) said he did not think that Mr Idour had been selected as commodore of the Portobello Club. The whole question of the status of the club should be thrashed out. The president of the association (Mr E. Moller) said the matter had been closed. Mr W. Rowlands: The association appears to be a chopping block for all the clubs in the harbour, and the sooner a firm stand is taken the better it will be for all concerned. Mr T. Anderson said the whole question was an attempt to " get at" the chairman, the secretary and himself. Mr D. Jenkins moved that the motion passed at the previous meeting of the association granting affiliation to the Portobello Club be rescinded. Mr H. M. Nees said that such a motion would not benefit anyone. The association had a very busy year ahead, and they should not waste their time. Mr Jenkins's motion was not seconded. Mr Rowlands said that until the association received advice that the last letter from the Portobello Club was not in order the whole matter should be dropped. Mr Watson said it was a question of bona fide boat-owners, and moved that professional boat-owners (fishermen) be prohibited from competing in regatta*. The chairman said he could not accept the motion. Mr A. Burt said the question of professionalism did not enter into yachting. One might as well say that boatbuilders were professionals, and had no right to sail in races and yachting contests. The discussion then terminated.