REWARD OF SKILL

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 886, 1 February 1930, Page 1

REWARD OF SKILL

SANDERS CUP HANDED TO OTAGO TRIBUTE TO KELLETT The Sanders Memorial Cup won in the recent contest by Otago, was presented to representatives of the province this morning by the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, at a function in the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron rooms. la handing the cup to Mr. J. T. Paul, an Otago delegate, Mr. Baildon recalled that he had said in welcoming the visitors to Auckland that he would like to see the cup go round, provided all things were equal. Otago’s success was therefore a good thing for the sport, The contest had been carried out in the finest spirit of sportsmanship, “X am sure you will all agree that a contest such as this should be encouraged,” said his Worship. “It makes for better relations between yachtsmen of the various provinces. I have found the competing crews very fine fellows and it has been a privilege to be associated with them,” Mr. Baildon added. He was not a bit sorry the cup was leaving Auckland, and he was pleased to hear that the Wellington crew had already signified their intention of going after the trophy next year. Mr. Baildon congratulated Mr. Kellett, skipper of Eileen, on his success. NEED FOR SKILL In introducing the Mayor, the chairman of the Dominion Yachting Conference, Mr. C. H. T. Palmer, said the cup had been won in weather demanding great skill. It had been a man’s job to handle the boats. tie hoped all other contests would be conducted in a like manner. Replying on behalf of Otago’s crew, Mr. Paul said his province went into the contest to do its best, as each of the other contestants had done their best. The contest was a valuable one for New Zealand yachting, continued Mr. Paul. It drew public attention to the sea and induced young fellows to take to the water and engage in perhaps the finest sport there was. “This contest has been the means of cementing friendships among yachtsmen as no other contest has done,” said Mr. Paul. It might be thought Otago was very presumptious in tackling Auckland on the Waitemata Harbour, but Kellett had been trying for years to achieve the success that had come to him through very fine sailing. “We are no doubt very cheeky in coming here where you have perhaps 20 or 30 boats to our one,” remarked Mr. Paul, amid laughter. He paid a tribute to the other crews for their game battle. Mr. Kellett, in thanking the Mayor and Auckland yachtsmen for their congratulations, said this was his fourth visit to Auckland in quest of the cup. This trip had been best of all. Mr. C. Holmes, Wellington, added his congratulations, remarking that Mr. Kellett was a trier if anyone was. The visitors will be entertained on a iaunch cruise during the week-end.