THE SEA SPIRIT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 245, 11 July 1921, Page 6

THE SEA SPIRIT

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S SPEECH AT YACHT CLUB SOCIAL The Port Nicholson Yacht Club held Its annual social and distribution of trophies at the club house on Saturday evenin';, when His Excellency the Gov-ernor-General, was a guest of the club and distributed the prizes. Mr. AV. Duncan, Commodore of the club, presided. and among the other* present were the Mayor (Mr. I?.. A. Wright, M.P.), and Dr. Fell, a. former commodore of iho club. The club house was decorated in appropriate style, and the presentation cups were displayed on tne billiard table. His Excellency was received by the Commodore and other officials of tne dub. and after the loyal toast had been honoured the chairman in bis opening remarks, welcomed Viscount Jellicoe. Mr. Dunean said that the yachtsmen of Wellington felt sorry His Excellency intended to make Auckland his yachting fteadquartors. but they hoped it would not be long before they would have the pleasure of registering 'his n'ame for the 14 foot class. On February 2, 1897, the club banqueted Lord Glasgow, who W's then governor of New Zealand, and patron of the club, and among those present were Lord Brassey and Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge, who was then Com-mander-in-chief of the Australian Squadron. It was through Lord Glasgow that the club obtained the privilege of flying the blue ensign, and. the Port Nicholson Yacht Club was the first club in New Zealand to have that honour. The Royal Yacht Squadron of Auckland, followed-. They had requested His Excellency to endeavour to secure for them the right to use the word “Royal, as theirs was the oldest yacht club in New Zealand. The chairman also welcomed the Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wright. M.P.) “The Iron Duke.” His Excellence, 'in replying to the toast of his health, which was proposed by Mr. B. Clarke, Vice-Commodore, said that he was glad to be among the yachtsmen of Wellington. He had had the privilege of meeting the yachtsmen of Auckland in races, and ho did not know whether he would have the same privilege in Wellington. It had been decided that when Parliament was not in session the Governor-General should visit other parts of the Dominion. Consequently, ho had been unable to bo with them in Wellington, but he understood that this year Parliament would be in session during the yachting sea- .-■■- son, and he' had tentatively arranged for the transfer of the "Iron Duke" from Auckland to Wellington. He thought there wa.s only one yacht faster than his in Wellington, but he believed 'he would be able to give her a good run. He thought ho had a. better chance here to' challenge for the Sanders Cup, and that was one reason which would induce him to bring down the "Iron Duke. His little yacht was not designed to com- --- pete in Wellington weather: but she would do the best she could, and he would do the best he could. Wolling- ' ton at any rate was a place where yachtsmen became seamen ; it was a place where a yachtsman had to keep his weaFhor eye open, and for that reason Wellington should turn out. very good seamen. Nnval Recruits. He had always recognised the value of boat sailing for turning out seamen, and also for inculcating the spirit that was characteristic of the sea and made mon of them. He regretted that Wellington had not got sufficient of the eeo. spirit into its youth to induce them to volunteer for service in the New Zealand division of the Royal Navy. Ac- - cording to the latest return furnished to him of 53 recruits- sent to the "Philomel” 26 were drawn from Auckland, and only four from Wellington. He "thought Wellington should have provided more recruits. The Dominion had to live by the sen jjist as much si« Great Britain. New Zealand depended Upon the sea, and the sea spirit for its existence, and he hoped that they would be able to imbue the people with a love of the sea, so that they should have men to man the mercantile marine and the Royal Navy. This country’s produce could not be .got -away to overseas markets without seamen, and he did not think t!jo people would be satisfied to send their produce away by other than New Zealanders. The British had made that mistake. When the Great War broke out the British mercantile marine was mostly manned by aliens. Although most of the aliens were sympathetic, It was difficult to ascertain who would give information to the enemy, and who would not, e 6 that when the ships came v to the navel base they bed to insist that the vessels carried no aliens. Ho knew there were officers and men in the navy who did not realise tne value of sailing to imbue the youngsters with the sea spirit. Ono commander he had under him wanted to got all the boats fitted with motors, and he very nearly had that commander superseded. His Excellency contended that the proper way of propelling a boat was by sailing or rowing. Distribution of Trophies. The distribution of prizes then followed. His Excellency congratulating the successful competitors. The winners were as follows: — Ffret-Cl'aes Yachts. "Rona" (J. R. Al’Lean). Winner of the first-class points championship, and points aggregate, one first and one second in the points races, winner of the Turnbull Cup, neeond In the Mills Cup Race, winner of the Ladies' Race and winner of the Carina Cup. "Atalanta” (W. Hill). Winner of. the Mills Cnp, one second in the points races, also a consolation prize in the Ladies’ Race. "Marangi” (B. Clarke, Vice Commodore). One first in tho points races and winner of the Ocean Race, the course of the latter being acre's th<t"Straits to Port "Underwood and back. _ "Wairere II." (E. Bncholz). One first and one second in tho Points Races, winner of the Rating Race, and third in the Mills Cup Race. “Ailga" (Scott and Jordan). One first and one second in tho Points Races and second in the Ocean Race. "Viola" (C. Neil). One second in the Points Races and. second in tho Turnbull Cnp Race. "Wanderer" (F. Hadfield). One first in points races. Pecond-Class Yachts . "Romp” (A. J. Ibbot-on). Winner of points championship and two 'T** and two second*, and winner of Din Bothamley Cup. "Wylo" (AV. Duncan. Commodore of tho club). Ono first in points races and first in the Tc Burn Cup race. "Seabird” (F. Twiner). Seeopd m the Ladies' race. "Mnritai" (F. Giernsin). Gun first in tho points race*. "Seabird" (H. Roberta). Ono sec, end in the points races. "Rawene” (N. Blair). One second in the points races, and second in tho To Burn Cnp race. "10l an the” (G. M’Leau). Ono second in the pointe races. "Warrero I. (E. Hannan,. '”■■■> first in tho points races. Fourteen Footers. ' . "Geisha” (Rowntreo and Nimnioi. | Four firsts and one secoml in Die : pointe races, winner of tho Winner ( Cup and the Clark and Morris | ll "Tiri" (I. Hanlon). One first and ; one second in tho points races, and second in tho Grey Cup. . "Nan" (Brown, and Jackson), Win- I

net of the Inter-club Cup nnd one eetond in fire points races. “Tiki Tiri” (W. Grady). Winner of tho Grey Cup. "Miro” (IT. Roberts). First in the special race. "Ponoke" (H. Roberts). Second in the special race. Launch Rnce for Rose Bowl. "Atalnnta” (Smith and Webb), 1: "Puriri” (J. Watts), 2. Tho other toasts honoured during tho evening were “The Snorts we represent.” proposed by Captain Chiidley and responded to by the chairman, and "Kind, red Sportsi” proposed by Mr. J. "Watts. His Worship the Mayor was called upon for a speech, and on responding, said he desired to make his position very clear. He was not opposed to snort, but he f expected every sport to pay its own way. He congratulated the yacht club on (he self reliance it had shown, and hoped it would continue to display the same virtue. Musical items were given by Messrs. V. M’Keuzie. G. Austin Bhiekie. Charles Moore, IT. T. .Barns, J. Searle and Georgo Clapham. Air. Frank Thomas was the accompanist.