YACHTSMEN

Southland Times, Issue 25307, 10 June 1935, Page 5

YACHTSMEN

SUCCESSFUL SOCIAL INVERCARGILL BOATING CLUB In a club house appropriately decorated with nautical bunting, over forty members and friends of the Invercargill Boating Club gathered> on Saturday evening for the annual club social. Those who braved the elements were more than compensated, for within the club house all was warm and cheerful, and any lingering, regretful thoughts of a blazing fire must surely have been dispelled by the welcoming fragrance of saveloys and potatoes. The Commodore (Mr F. J. Biggs) presided, and seven members of the Fortrose Boating Club were present. An apology for absence was received from the Riverton Sailing Club, members of which were prevented by _ the bad weather from l attending the ’ function. Mr Biggs said the good attendance proved conclusively that interest in the old club was by no means a spent force, and though the past season had been a rather lean one he felt sure the ' coming year would be successful enough to make more than amends. The sport of yachting was going ahead ' in Southland, and there was every reason for an optimistic view of the club’s future. Replying to the toast of the Southland Yacht and Motor Boat Association, Mr lan Gough said that every effort was being made by the association to . foster and popularize the sport in the province, and it was pleasing to see the formation of flourishing clubs at Riverton and Fortrose. In the coming season a new club at Bluff would prob- , ably affiliate, and as it was hoped that ; plans for modern types of boats would be made available soon, he thought a brieht future for sailing was assured. The hope that extensions to the club ; house, and possibly a better site for it, would be possible next summer, was expressed by Mr W. Hefford, who said space was at a premium in the present building, which was gradually being undermined by the waters of Pleasure Bay. He said it was the intention of the club to approach the authorities with a view to improving its headquarters. The following toasts were honoured: “The Premier Yachtsman”; “The Visitors” (proposed by the president and responded to by Messrs J. Speden, Fortrose and Wood, Dunedin); “The Southland Yacht and Motor Boat Association” (Mr O. E. Johnston—Mr lan Gough): “The Winners” (Mr W. Hefford) ; “The Performers, the Ladies and the Press” (Mr G. Monro). After supper the president presented the club tronhies won during the 193435 season. The A. E. McArthur Cup, awarded to the yacht securing most first placings during the season, was won by Sprindrift, with B. Clark and J. Gray as crew. The winner of the George Monro Trophy for 14-foot Jellicoe class boats was Ariel, sailed by V. Jackson. H. Gough, skipper of Colleen, was presented with the Gordon Johnston Cup, as runner-up in second class races. Regatta trophies were presented to Foam (J. Speden, Fortrose) and Betsy (D. Wallace). During them evening items were contributed as follows: Accordion solos, Mr J. T. Nelson; banjo duets, Messrs G. Nelson and S. Mason; vocal trio, Messrs D. Walters. A. Biggs and D. Duncan; talk, Mr J. Harry; piano solo, Mr H. Wilson; trombone solos, Mr E. B. Harthe “Sunday Serenaders.” Mr H. Welsvey; vocal solos, Mr Wallace; items, ford was the accompanist, a piano having been loaned by Mr F. Holloway.