YACHTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17182, 27 October 1923, Page 9

YACHTING.

OPENING OF SEASON. The Christchurch Sailing and Power Boat Club opened, its eeaeon in beautiful weather this afternoon. There was a good wind for sailing. The boats, spick and span in their new coats of paint and the white dresses and caps made a, bright and animated scene, and altogether a delight, ful afternoon wa.B ensured for all who were present. Mr 11. S. Hobday said he was pleased tb be there to speak that afternoon and see such a large gathering. He hoped that the water would be made safer by sailing before long in regard to the bar. The club was growing and in tho near future it would become very large. There was before him a type of boat that was very interesting and that was altogether excellent for sailing on the estuary. It was also well within the purchasing power of moat people. He had much pleasure in asking tho Mayor of Sumner. Mr W. H. Nicholson, to declare the season open. Mr Nicholson said that each year tho club was becoming more important and the day would come when there would be not sufficient soom in the estuary for all the boats. Unless the love of the sea was fostered the Emrire would fall, and ! it was for this purpose that the club was J useful. He had much pleasure in declaring the club open. He said that durj ing the war England had to send to j the four corners of tho world for voluni teers for her motor patrol service and he I believed that the spirit of sailing should Ibe fostered. He had much pleasure in asking the Mayoress. Mrs Nicholson, to christen the boat “ Secret," which, wan built locally and was of the aame typo

that was favoured by the Governor-Gene-ral. There was only one other bo%t_ of her kind in Canterbury, sa.id Mr Nicholson, and that was in Lyttelton. These two boats would be tried out against each other, and he hoped the result would be that the Lyttelton boat would be "up ,the tree.” Mrs Nicholson formally christened the boat by breaking a bottle of Port wine over her bows and she was launched amidst applause. Councillor J. W. Beanland. a life member of the club and a paßt commodore, said that he was one of the “ old timers.” He joined twenty years ago. Nov/ that the club was growing, the life members thought that another cup was necessary, and he had great pleasure in presenting to the club a silver cup presented by the life members. Commodore A. Round thanked Mr Beanland, on behalf of the members, and hoped that all the present members would re--1 main t-o become life members, f During the afternoon a series of races | -vvere run, aud the results wore as follows: I Dinghy (double scull)—R. Qorraack (Becc) I ’. J. B. Norris (scr) 2, T. Trcleaven (4sec) i Dinghy (single scull)—F. Taylor J, G. Andrews 2.