LYTTELTON REGATTA.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 100, 25 September 1874, Page 3

LYTTELTON REGATTA.

A public meeting was held in the Colonists' Hall, Lyttelton, on Wednesday evening last, his Worship the Mayor occupying the chair. About 100 were present. His Worship stated that the meeting had been called in consequence of a communication received by him from the secretary of the committee that carried out the regatta of 187-1, requesting him to call a public meeting for Tuesday, the 22nd inst. He had been unable to acquiesce to his request, as he found on inquiry that the hall had been previously engaged, and he had. therefore, appointed the meeting for that evening. He was exceedingly glad that the meeting had to be adjourned, as he thought that if it had not been, it would have been too aquatic for the most energetic lover of boating; whereas now, owing to the clearing of the weather, they had a good attendance. It was his rule not to say much on boating matters, but on this occasion he would have much pleasure in saying more than usual, as he was excessively pleased to see the course that had been taken by the energetic members of the late boating club. Two courses had been open to them, a mean and a clean one, and they had unhesitatingly taken'the clean, and this would tell with the public at the ensuing regatta. Boating men should remember how much the success of the regatta depended on their efforts. It had been discovered that light boats were unsuited to the harbour. He would now call upon the secretary, Mr Carder, to read the minutes of the last; annual meeting held on October 21th, 1873. The minutes were then read and confirmed; The chairman would now call upon the treasurer to read the balance sheet. Mr Nalder said he would be glad to say a few words in explanation of what had been done since the last annual meeting before the balance sheet was read. At last annual regatta there had been so few entries in the gig races, that it had been decided on the day of the regatta to strike them out. Now he thought that instead of retaining them on the programme till the last minute they should strike them out at once, and thus be enabled to offer larger prizes for the other races. The schooner race was last year the race of the day: He wished that what had taken place at their last committee meeting had not appeared in the public prints, as it had completely taken the wind out of his sails. Mr Peter Cunningham, who, as they knew, was absent on a trip to the old country, had been successful in obtaining a twenty-five guinea cup from the New Zealand Shipping Company as a prize at the coming regatta, and had stated in his communication that he hoped to be able to procure another before his return. That gentleman (Mr Cunningham), he was glad to say, would be out by Christmas, and, therefore, able to help them when the regatta day arrived. He might state that the total receipts last year had been £285, including £29 in hand from the previous year, and they had now a balance in their favor of £35 7s Bd. He knew it was the wish of their late commodore that in future they should make the sailing races the most attractive feature in their programme. They might make vessels come to-compete by advertising early the prizes offered. He would give the entire preference to the sailing vessels, all the gig and most of the rowi'ig races having proved a failure last year. He had little more to add. Mr Cunningham, though he had left them for a time, had made arrangements by which his managing man could gather, in the usual, subscriptions as well as if lie himself were present. If they tried they might have a capital regatta on the Ist January, 1875, and have a larger amount to dispense than usual if the publicans would only put their shoulders to the wheel and make up a purse among themselves. [Hear, hear.] The Chairman then called upon Mr H. Hawkins, the treasurer, to make his financial statement, which he did, shewing there was a balance of £36 7s Bd, besides Government grant of £SO placed to the credit of the Regatta committee. He ;(Mr Hawkins) hoped that what their vice-commodore (Mr Nalder) had said would not fall to the ground, but that they would stir up the publicans to do something amongst themselves for the regatta. Many of them had received great benefit from it hitherto, and they should raise a purse among themselves to encourage it. He thought that if the matter were properly advertised there were many small traders from the Bays who would gladly go in for the regatta. [Hear.] The balance-sheet having been read and and approved his Worship called upon Mr H. R. Webb to move the first resolution. Mr Webb said that he had much pleasure in moving, " That the Lytteltou annual regatta take place on Friday, the Ist January, 1875, and that this meeting proceed to elect the necespary officers for carrying out the same. He thought Mr Cunningham and Mr Nalder were thoroughly good managers, as they did not strive merely for honor and glory, but worked hard in the interests of the public both before and after the regatta day. Hence they had been so successful on the last occasion. He agreed with Mr Nalder, Mr Cunningham, and the Mayor, in thinking that sailing races were more suitable for the Lyttelton harbor than rowing. In order to get the Provincial Council grant, which wa3 intended to encourage the improvement of vessels, they should take care to promote rac<\s for whale and watermen's boats, as well as for sailing craft. They should give early notice that other provinces might have a chance of making arrangements to enable them to compete ; and he sincerely hoped that the regatta might give an impetus to the building of good sailing vessels and boats. Since he had been absent in Wellington he understood that the largest vessel ever built in Lyttelton had been launched, viz, the Result, and it was composed of materials procured in the province. He hoped that the successful building of this vessel would encourage others to do likewise. By offering large prizes and advertising well, he hoped to have many competitors. The Ist of January was a most suitable day for the regatta. He had no doubt they would raise

a large amount for prizes, and have a more successful regatta than any hitherto held. [Applause.] Mr W. Cameron seconded the resolution, which was carried. Mr Packard then moved that —"H. P. Murray-Aynsley, Esq, be president of the •regatta." That gentleman had always taken an active part in encouraging their regatta, as thoy might see by referring to the minutes, and he thought they could not do better than re-elect him. [Hear.] The motion was seconded by Mr Carrol, and carried. Captain McClatchie moved, and Mr Rich seconded, that—"?!. R.Webb, Esq, M.H.R., be vice-president of the regatta." Carried. Captain McLcllan moved tl at —" P. Cunningham, Esq, be commodore ol the regatta." Few respected Mr Cunningham more than he did ; but. in justice to Mr Naldcr, he must say he should like to see him commodore, and Mr Cunningham vice-commodore instead, and he was sure Mr Cunningham himself would approve of the arrangement. Mr Naldcr said he could not accept the honor. He was only too glad to work under Mr Cunningham, and would much prefer to see that gentleman commodore. The motion that Mr Cunningham be commodore was then carried. Mr Agar then moved that H. N. Nalder, Esq. be vice-commodore of the regatta. Pie said that he as well as others would like to see Mr Nalder commodore, but he thought a little rehearsal was good for any one. Last year Mr Nalder had never missed a meeting, but had worked well and hard both before and after the regatta. On this occasion he had been under Mr Cunningham, and he hoped he would be for many years to come. By and by, when Mr Cunningham was president, Mr Nalder would, he hoped, be commodore still under him. [Cheers.] Mr Murray seconded the resolution, which was carried. Mr Allwright moved that IT. Hawkins, Esq, be honorary treasurer for the regatta. That gentleman had held the post most successfully for the last two years. He had always brought them out with a large balance to their credit, and as long as any man was able to do that they should stick to him. | Hear, hear.] Captain M'Clatchie seconded the resolu. tion, and it was carried. Mr Nalder then moved—" That Mr W. Packard be honorary secretary for the ensuing regatta." Mr Packard, as they all knew, was a very energetic man. Mr W.' H. Eyes was glad to second the proposition, and in so doing he thought he would be carrying out the views ot the public. Mr Bolt would move an amendment to the effect " that Mr J. Carder be the honorary secretary." That gentleman had acted many years in that capacity, and been indefatigable in working for the success o£ the regatta, and he could not understand their reason for superseding him. Mr Agar seconded the amendment. Mr Nalder said that, in proposing Mr Packard, he had only been proposing their town clerk, who was generally made secretary on occasions of this sort. His principal reason, however, was that there were, now two reporters in the place, and he thought it unadvisable that their private raeetiugs should go forth to the public. Mr Carder had several times complained that his duties were so onerous that he could not attend to the work, and he thought these were good reasons for proposing Mr Packard. Mr Carder said that as an old servant to the public, and their secretary for many years, he would ask them to listen to him for a few moments. It was true his duties had been onerous, but for the last two months he had been relieved of half his work, and therefore had more time to place at their disposal. Should they elect him he would do his best, and should they reject him he would not feel aggrieved. Mr Bolt said that since Mr Carder had served them as secretary everything had been conducted in first-class style. Mr Nalder had stated that the town clerk was usually secretary on these occasions, but since he had been in Lyttelton such an event had not come to his knowledge. He did not think they could make a change for the better. The amendment and original motion were then put to the meeting, and resulted in his Worship declaring Mr Packard duly elected by a majority of four. Mr Hawkins moved—" That the following gentlemen be members of committee, viz, Captains McLellan, McClatchie, Morris, Galbraith. Whitby, and Hobbs, Messrs Aynsley, TT. R. Webb, Chalmers, Murray. Allwright, F. Graham. Agar, C. A. Rich, W. Young, Forbes, Taylor, W. Cameron, W. Burnip, W. Kiddy, M. Carrol, F. Ward, W. H. Eyes, J. Carder, H. C. Jacobson, J. Keston, jun, J. Yule, and all publicans, with power to add to their number." This was duly seconded by Mr Eyes, put to the meeting, and carried. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting.