SANDERS MEMORIAL CUP.

Otago Witness, Issue 3961, 11 February 1930, Page 50

SANDERS MEMORIAL CUP.

RECEPTION TO EILEEN'S CREW. Fresh from their notable victory on Auckland Harbour and with the Sanders Memorial Cup in their possession, the crew of the Otago challenging boat Eileen returned to Dunedin on Thursday evening by the second express from (he north. A rousing reception awaited them when they stepped from the carriage platform. Several hundred people were present, and amidst the strains of “ See the Conquering Hero Comes,” played in a spirited manner by th. St. Kilda Band the members of the -rew, together with Mr J. T. Paul, president of the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association went through the ordeal of hand shaking with scores of mthusiastic friends. Yachts men were present in full force, and Mi G. E. Kellett, skipper of Eileen, was carried shoulder high through *he throng, amidst hearty bursts of cheering. A procession, with the St. Kilda Tana in the lead, was formed, and the assemblage proceeded to the Town Hall, where another reception awaited he crew. Speaking from the Town Hall steps, the mayor (Mr R. S. Black) aid they were gathered together that night to honour to the winners of the Sanders i Memorial Cup. They heartily congratu lated Mr Kellet and his crew, no only on their victory, but tor their pluck and sportsmanship in travelling so far to enter the contest. On behalf of the citizens of Dunedin he congratulated the crew. Mr Black said that ~*tago won the first Sanders Cup contest on March 29, 1921, with Heather, defeating that splendid sportsman, Lord Jellicoe, in the Iron Duke. Later tht lona was privileged to be victorious, and now the Eileen hav. brought the cap to Dunedin for the third time. Singlarly enough, all three triumphs had been achieved on Waitemata Harbour, where the late Lieutenantcommander Sanders had his first taste of the sea. The mayor gave an account of the life of the late Lieutenant-com-mander Sanders, and what the Sanders Cup stood for. He concluded by calling for three cheers for Mr Kellet and his crew, which were heartily given. Mr 11. E. Moller said that as an old yachtsman he wished to say how much he appreciated the courtesy of the mayor in tendering a civic reception to Otago s champion crew. They had won the championship of New Zealand. The people, and especially the yachtsmen, were proud to know that the boys from Otago had been able to beat .he pick of the yachtsmen in New Zealand. Mr Moller paid a very high tribute I to the valuable services rendered to these contests Dy Mr Bert Nees, who was known as one of the keenest and most experienced yachtsman in the dominion. The speaker also paid a high tribute to Mr P. Hunter, who owned lona when she won the cup at Auckland in 1925, and who was mainly responsible for the building of Eileen. Eileen was undoubtedly the best boat which had represented Otago in any contest, but it was hoped that some en thusiasts would now come forward and build a boat to compete against her next year. Mr Moller, after paving a tribute to the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association, said they were all proud of Mr Kellett and his crew. Mr J. T. Paul, after introducing Mr Kellett, said the Otago Y’acht Association had tried to keep the flag flying for the good of the sport in fair and foul weather. As a boating man he had been associated with many Sanders Cup contests, and he was pleased to say that in the contest just concluded at Auck land the Sanders Cup had been won straight out by sailing ability. In all the other contests there had been at least one fluky win. They-were all proud of the crew Otago had sent away, and proud, too. because that crew had brought the cup back to Dunedin. Mr Paul said he never wished to be associate! with a better lot of boys than Eileen's crew.

Air Kellett, on stepping forward to speak, was received with a round of cheers. He said he was proud because he had won the cup for Otago. The crew had a very pleasant time in Auckland and his men were greatly indebted to Mr and Mrs J. Potts, of Newmarket, and Mr and Mrs W. Rapley, of Stanley Bay, and also Mr C. Holmes, of Wellington, for entertaining them. The proceedings concluded with three hearty cheers for the Otago skipper and his men.

THE BETTY GOING NORTH. WELLINGTON, February 8. The Betty, three times winner of the Sanders Cup for Canterbury, t.nd winner of the Ross and Lipton Cups at the recent Auckland Anniversary Day regatta,

has been purchased by Mr W. H. Wagstaff, well-known figure in local yachting circles, principally as judge, starter and timekeeper for the Evan’s Bay Club over a long period. “ We are going to see if we can’t do something towards winning the • Sanders Cup for Wellington,” remarked Mr Wagstaff to-day.