STEWART ISLAND NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 21650, 11 March 1932, Page 11

STEWART ISLAND NEWS

(From Our Correspondent.) Ideal weather - prevailed when the Veronica and Laburnum held their regatta in Paterson Inlet on Monday. Every race was keenly contested, the communication skiffs’ race being the closest of the day. The first event, the chief and petty officers whalers race resulted in Laburnum taking first and. fourth places and Veronica second and third with ten points for each. The second event was the cooks' and stewards skiffs race which was won by the Laburnum. The third race, the seamen whalers resulted in Veronica taking first and third places and Laburnum second and fourth, twelve points being given to Veronica and 8 to Laburnum. The fourth- event was the communication skiffs race which was won by the Veronica. The fifth event was the officers' whalers race, the Veronica taking first place and the Laburnum second. The sixth event was the stokers’ whalers which resulted as follows: Veronica 1 Laburnum 2, Laburnum 3, Veronica 4 with ten points to each. The veterans’ skiffs was the last event and was won by Laburnum. The total number of points were 46 for Veronica and 41 for Laburnum. The prizes were -presented by Commander Morgan, of the HJff.S. Veronica, and the Cup was presented to the Veronica by Commander Ramsbothom of the H.M.S. Laburnum. In presenting the Cup to Commander Morgan, the officer commanding the Laburnum congratulated the winning ship and remarked on the favourable weather conditions under which the regatta had been held; it was so different from the rough weather they had experienced of late. He hoped the Laburnum would regain the Cup next year. Launches from Halfmoon Bay and Golden Bay conveyed a number of the islanders and visitors to the racing course and quite a happy day was spent. A splendid wind-up to the regatta was the entertainment and. dance given in the Atheneum Hall by the Veronica’s concert party (by kind permission of Commander H. L. Morgan) on the invitation of the Stewart Island County Council. -Special launches conveyed the men of both ships to and from Halfmoon Bay. The staging decoration and lighting as well as the concert and dance which followed, were entirely in the hands of the seamen. The hall was packed with a most happy and enthusiastic audience. The programme was a veried one and full of humour.

The county chairman, Mr R. C. Hicks, thanked the members of the concert party for accepting the council's invitation and providing such an elaborate entertainment. The Island people had shown their appreci-

ation by the way they had turned out and he felt sure that the members of the Veronica and Laburnum would carry away with them happy recollections of the evening spent in Stewart Island Hall. H. Sprosson, E.R.A., suitably replied and on behalf of the sailors thanked the council and residents of the Island for inviting them over to give a concert anil dance, which h-d been a great pleasure to them to do. The second part, of the programme passed off most successfully. The M.C’s. duties were carried out by 11. Sprosson, E.R.A., The Veronica’s dance band was augmented with L.S.B.A. Holden, of Laburnum, the ship's pianist. Extras were provided by Mrs G. Bragg, 11. Hanson and P. Moore-Carter. The children attending the schools at Halfmoon Bay and Maori Beach were given a treat on Tuesday afternoon when they were conveyed by the launch Lena, captained by H. Pollock sen. to H.M.S. Laburnum and by kind permission of Com mander Ramsbothom were shown round the vessel. The weather was at its best and the children returned sunburnt and able to tell quite a host of interesting things about a British warship. The naval men were entertained by the Stewart Island Yachting Club to a supper and dance last Friday night. Commodore T. Bragg welcomed the visitors. The music was provided by H.M.S. Veronica’s orchestra assisted by Mr L. A. Lee (pianist). Extras were given by Mr C. Captain. Mr A. C. Farrant carried out the duties of M.C.

With the departure of the naval ships, things are again quiet. Only a few strange faces are now to be seen about the Island. A few good fishing days have been taken advantage of. A residence for Mr A. Russell is in the course of being erected on Golden Bay Road. The nurse's new cottage is nearing completion and the opening is expected at an early date. On Monday last, through the courtesy of Mr J. Brookland, of Horse Shoe Bay, the children and some of the adults of Maori Beach were conveyed in the launch Princess to inspect the warships in the inlet. On the way a stop was made at Bravo, where the party went ashore and boiled the billy. After having a look over the Laburnum, the party were taken back to the beach,. everybody being well pleased with the excursion. In times such as these the action of Mr Brookland will be long remembered and is deeply appreciated