YACHTING

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 49, 22 November 1926, Page 13

YACHTING

EVANS BAY CLUB OPENING

“AN INFLUENCE FOR GOOD”

r The club-house of the Evans Bay Yacht Club was a rallying point for many yaghtsmen on Saturday afternoon, when the club’s patron, Mr. A. A. George, officially declared its season open. Before the opening, the surroundings of the club-house presented a gay appearance, and the Caledonian Society's Pipe Band was present. The bay was dotted with visiting craft from the clubs, All Black ami Muritai being amongst the visitors. The Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club was represented by Nanette, Morangi, Viola, Rawline, Oyster, and Windward. M. Taniora was also there. Peggy was among the late-comers, while a launch from the Heretaunga Club also put in an appearance. The scene was marred only by an overcast sky, but even this was made up for by a light breeze. The ceremony itself was presided over bv the president of the club, Mr. .1. Paterson, who, in his opening speech, apologised for the unavoidable absence of the commodore of the club. Mr. Paterson warmly greeted the visitors from other clubs, and referred in particular to the representatives of - the R.P.N.Y.C. This club had provided a wonderful display of boats, and the Evans Bay Club could not be too grateful tor their support. ■ Mr. A. A. George, the club’s patron, remarked that he considered it a. very great nrivilo.ee indeed to bo asked to open the club’s season. Each year it became a greater pleasure to him to perform flint duty, owing to the fact that the. club was amkinc continuous progress. "I think von will agree with mo,” lie continued, "that the eliib that is always climbing upwards is n club which is doing its dntv to a great snort like yachting eortninlv is. This season will oclinso all oast efforts of tbc club, end I am sure that it will bo the determination of the members make it lo so. There is doubt that yachting is a sport worthy of our high est admiration, and when promoted m it is by the members of the Evans Bay Yacht Club, it wields an influence foi good throughout tho whole of the, community. It builds up a strong, selfreliant character amongst, men, and it is refreshing in an organisation of this kind to find men taking such an active interest in such a sport.’’ Mr. George went on to say ’(hat though he had been connected with the Evans Bav Club for a number of years, hehad never known it to look back. Yachting, he considered, was one of thebulwarks of the Dominion. It was one of the cleanest of pastimes, and there was possibly no man in anv sport who worked harder than the yachtsman. “I often wonder,” he remarked, "how a yachtsman can find time to say his prayers.” In speaking of the prospects for the eoming season, Mr. George . remarked that it would be all it was desired to be. He promised his hearers that they would be interested in all the racing events which were to take place. “I am glad to inform ladies and gentlemen present,’’ he said, ‘‘that there will be several additions to the fleet in this harbour, designed to promote the interests of this club.”

In officially declaring the Evans Bay Club’s season open, Mr. George expressed the hope that both visitors and members would obtain all the enjoyment they could possibly desire from such a wonderful sport. Mr. D. K. Blair, commodore of tho R.P.N.Y.C., thanked members of the Evans Bav Club for the invitation to attend their opening, and for the kind things which had been said of his club. He hoped that they would have a vqry successful season indeed, and remarked that the indications were that this would be the case.

Mr. Blair remarked that he would like very much to see a very cordial intercourse between ail clubs. “We all get credit for a certain iimou.nl of apathy between the clubs,” he said, “and I think we, should make an effort to visit each other as often as we can.” In conclusion. Mr. Biair congratulated the club on the advance which it had made; the clubhouse and it.-, surroundings indicated prosperity nnd revenue lie wished his hosts a very successful yachting season. Mr. George replied to Mr. Blair’s remarks in similar vein, and thanked him for the invitation which he had extended to members of the Evans Bay Club. After tho opening, afternoon tea was served, and various events were most successful!v carried out. These included a dinghv race for ladies as well as for men, a tug-o’-war contest, and a greasy pole.