LYTTELTON REGATTA.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 114, 12 October 1874, Page 3

LYTTELTON REGATTA.

A meeting of the Lyttelton Regatta committee was held in the Colonists’ Hall on Saturday night, Mr Nalder occupying the chair.

In the absence of the secretary, the chairman read the minutes of last meeting, which were confirmed.

The chairman stated that the reason the meeting was called was to reconsider the question of giving the cup to the Bay traders’ race, as it appeared to have given great dissatisfaction to members of committee, who ought to have been present at last raeei ing but were not. and to others—many seemed to think that the cup procured by Mr Cunningham ought to be given to the big race, so the meeting had been called to reconsider the determination arrived at. Mr F. Graham said that Mr Cuff had certainly understood from Mr Cunningham before he went away that the cup was intended for the big race.

Mr Rich asked the chairman if he was aware that tke cup was specially intended for the big race. The chairman said that he certainly did not so understand it. When Mr Cunningham went away there was a probability of his getting cups both from the New Zealand Shipping Company and Shaw, Saville, and Co.

Mr H. Allwright objected to rescind the resolutions passed at a former meeting. Mr F. Graham said it would be easy to buy a cup if two were not procured from home.

Mr Hobbs said that the reason he had voted that the cup should be given to the Bay traders was that he understood the cup was intended for vessels belonging to 'he port, whereas if they put it in an open race, it would very likelj be won by another province.

Mr Taylor supported this view of the case.

Mr Hawkins pointed out that if two cups were procured by Mr Cunningham they could add the second to the prize for the big race. The chairman said they could not alter the prizes after they had once put in their advertisements.

Mr Hawkins would rather subscribe for another cup than have it taken away from the Bay traders’ ,race.

Mr Rich said it would be better to buy a piece of plate with a portion of the £IOO. He thought that would meet Mr Graham’s objections.. Mr Graham said they were all aware what great interest his partner, Mr Cuff, took in boating matters, and he was sure that he and many other owners of the crafts that would go for the big race would prize a cup much more than the money. Mr Carder said he had heard it stated that if the cup went for the Bay traders’ race it was a gift to one vessel, and that was the reason that so many were aveise to it. The chairman said that if Mr Cunningham did not procure another cup they might subscribe twenty guineas amongst themselves to purchase a second one. Mr Hawkins supported this view of the case.

Mr Rich said the difficulty might be met by letting the owner of the big race have the whole £IOO, or £75 and £25 cup, leaving it to his option.

Mr James Reston said that the committee had shown they were not narrow-minded, by giving the £IOO prize for a race, open to vessels from all ports of New Zealand; he thoroughly believed in going still further, and giving the cup also for that race; he begged to move, -‘ That the prize for the big race be £IOO and the cup that Mr Cunningham is to bring out, and that £SO be the first prize for the Bay traders”; a money prize would be far more highly valued by them than a cup. Mr Graham seconded the motion.

Mr Carder moved as an amendment, “ That the first prize in the Schooner race be for £IOO and the cup; the first prize for the Bay boats, £25; and the second, £15.” Mr Webb moved as a further amendment, “ That the resolutions passed at last meeting stand, and that a cup of the value of £2O be added to the first prize at the big race.” Mr Hawkins seconded Mr Webb’s amendment, and a long discussion ensued, in which Messrs Rich, Nalder, Taylor, Allwright,

Graham, Reston, Hobbs, and Carder, took part, and eveutua'ly, Mr Webb’s amendment was carried, jo that the result of the meeting was, that a £2O cup was added to the £IOO prize for the big race, and the Ray trader’s race was left as before.

Mr fSauuders, the landlord of the Mitre Hotel, stated his intention of giving a special prize, leaving the selection of it to the committee. The meeting then adjourned.