SANDERS CUP

Southland Times, Issue 22488, 24 January 1935, Page 8

SANDERS CUP

FIRST RACE TO-DAY MANY VISITORS REACH ISLAND OFFICIALS APPOINTED (From Our Own Reporter.) Halfmoon Bay, January 23. The Tamatea carried a large number of tourists across to Halfmoon Bay this morning anxious to view the beauties of Stewart Island and to witness the Sanders Cup contest which commences to-morrow. A beam sea made conditions rather uncomfortable for many of the travellers so there was little frivolity on the tug. In the afternoon Mr T. Bragg, chairman of the Stewart Island County ‘Council, welcomed the visitors and expressed regret that the Mayors of Invercargill, Bluff and Riverton were not present to extend greetings to the visiting crews and delegates. It had been said that public interest in the Sanders Cup contests was on the wane, but he was sure the attendance on the Island proved that the contests were still very popular. The series of races were going to be very keen and trying to forecast the winner would be a difficult matter indeed. He was sorry Auckland was not taking part. On the last occasion on which the contest was held at the Island the northern province had been prominent. The races commemorated a very gallant New Zealander and he considered that every child should be taught the history of Lieut-Commander W. E. Sanders.

Mr T. Anderson, of Otago, said that the Government should have made arrangements for the races to be broadcast. Thousands of people in all parts of the Dominion were interested in the contest and it was a very great pity that descriptions of the races were not to be sent over the air.

The Mayor of Lyttelton, Mr W. Lester, and Messrs G. Andrews, of Canterbury, G. Tanner, of Wellington, and F. J. Biggs, of Southland, also spoke. At the first meeting of the Sanders Cup Conference held after the official welcome, Mr T. Bragg was elected president and Mr W. J. Beanland, secretary. Other officials elected as follows: Judges, Messrs G. Curtis (Canterbury), T. Anderson (Otago), F. J. Biggs (Southland); starters, Messrs A. Burt and J. Watson; timekeepers, Messrs W. Martin and G. Tanner; course committee: Messrs H. Pollock, W. Thomson, A. Ball, W. Johnson. The first race commences at 2.30 tomorrow afternoon over a windward to leeward course.

CONTEST RULES COMPLETE AND COMPREHENSIVE. It is extremely probable that the rules employed at previous contests will be in use at Stewart Island. They, are as follows:— All events will be started by flying start. Five minutes before start of race a warning gun will be fired and five flags will be hoisted. These flags will fall, one a minute, and as the last flag falls the starting gun will be fired for the commencement of the race. To recall all yachts, two gunshots will ba fired and a red flag hoisted. To recall one or more yachts one gunshot and a flag or flags will be hoisted corresponding to the colour flag given to the different yachts. In the series of races to be sailed the winning boat must secure three straightoui wins. The duration of the days of racing will depend upon the results of the early races. It is possible for a conclusion to be reached in three days, but it may take five or even six days to reach finality. YACHTING COUNCIL NEW ZEALAND BODY. FORMED IN 1933. The New Zealand Yachting Council, which controls the Sanders Cup contest, was formed in 1933 with the object of giving sailing and motor boat clubs, through their provincial associations, the most democratic system of government of the competitive side of the sport that could be devised. The provincial associations, which themselves consist of two delegates, as a rule, from each affiliated club, really comprise the council—though for the sake of convenience each selects a councillor whose function it is to present the views of his association, and who is kept in touch, through the chair, with the other associations. Questions that arise during the year are communicated to each councillor, and submitted by him to his association of club delegates, who decide the association’s attitude; and the view of the majority of the associations is the view of the council. Thus a Dominion body is in existence all the year round, and experience has shown that in can work spioothly and efficiently without its being necessary for delegates to meet actually in conference more than once a year.

Naturally, the Dominion body has no power to interfere in the domestic affairs of any province; it deals with questions involving two or more provinces. Interport and interprovincial contests are managed by conferences of delegates specially appointed to attend to them. The decisions of the conferences are subsequently ratified or otherwise by the council, that is, by the constituent associations, according to the vote of the majority. ENTHUSIASTIC MEMBERS THE FORTROSE BOATING CLUB. FINE ANNUAL REGATTA. The Fortrose Boating Club, although far away from the main centres, has always maintained a very enthusiastic interest in the sport of yachting. Members follow the activities in the cities very closely, and were greatly pleased when it was learned that the 1935 Sanders Cup Contest was to be held at Stewart Island. In this connection they showed their interest in a practical manner and raised a substantial sum of money to go towards the expenses of the contest.

At the annual regatta staged at Fortrose, some fine sailing is always witnessed, and keen competition is the order of the day. Last Saturday a very large crowd of spectators gathered to watch the yachts at the club’s annual outing, and thoroughly enjoyed the fare provided. Mr J. Speden is president of the club, and with his boat, the Foam, succeeded in winning the championship of Southland at the Bluff Regatta on January 1. This was an excellent achievement and Mr Speden is to be congratulated on his performance. The secretary, Mr D. W. Stirling, is a tower of strength to the club, and is a tireless worker. He follows the activities of the 14-footers with a very great deal of interest.