LYTTELTON REGATTA COMMITTEE MEETING.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 181, 7 January 1875, Page 2

LYTTELTON REGATTA COMMITTEE MEETING.

A meeting of the committee was held in the Colonists’ Hall on Tuesday night. There was a large attendance, and Mr P. Cunningham occupied the chair. The chairman read a letter from Mr Mur-ray-Aynsley, the president, regretting that, being obliged to go up country, he could not attend the meeting. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

The chairman said the principal business of the evening was the distribution of prizes, which was then gone on with. Mr Cunningham stated that the judges had considered the protests, and entered into all particulars. Accounts were then passed for payment. Suitable remarks were made by the commodore as he presented the prizes. It was decided the shore sports should be held over to the next annual regatta.

The hon sec and treasurer were authorised to receive and pay all outstanding accounts, and the hon sec was instructed to write letters of thanks to Captains Petherbridge, Peters, Williams, M'Clutchie, Hesketh, Galbraith, and Mr Crosbie for himself and crew. In presenting the cup containing to Captain Wells, of the Albatross, Mr Cunningham said he hoped when he returned to Auckland he would show them the handsome cup he had won, and induce others to coma and compete next year. The thanks of the meeting were due to Messrs Shaw Saville for their handsome cup. Mr Hesketh’s men had worked hard all day, and should be allowed some remuneration ; and Mr J. E. K. Saunders also deserved thanks for the very handsome cup he had presented. There would ba another meeting in a fortnight to finally settle matters. Messrs Boddington and Jacobson were elected auditors. The captain of the Albatross invited the meeting to join him at the Mitre to drink the health of the Albatross in champagne. The cup won by the Albatross is a very handsome one. Pour shields on it are to be engraved as follows:—On the first, Lyttelton Regatta, 1875; on the second, champion Bailing race cup, with 100 sovereigns; on the third, won by schooner Albatross, 77 tons, Captain R. Wells; on the fourth, owner 0. A. Harris, junior, Auckland. The following is the inscription on the yacht cup won by the Ripple Owners, Messrs Gibbs, Harris, Fraser, and Johnson, Dunedin : Lyttelton Annual Regatta; first prize, cup and 20 sovereigns. On arriving at the Mitre, Mr Cunningham rose to propose—“ The health of those gentlemen who had come from Dunedin to compete at the Lyttelton regatta of 1875.” They had shown a true yachting spirit in bringing the Ripple so far to compete. This was the second time Mr Gibbs bad visited Lyttelton for this purpose. Two years ago he brought up a little boat, and this year a vessel of a superior class. He trusted that Mr Gibbs and his friends had received every attention, and that their hearty yachting spirit had been thoroughly recognised. He begged to propose their health, and would call on Mr Boddington to reply, as he knew he was a friend of theirs, and they were unfortunately absent, The toast was then drunk. Mr Boddington in reply said that on behalf of his friends he could testify to their appreciation of the very cordial greeting they had received in Lyttelton. On their behalf he begged to thank the officers and committee of the regatta, whose arrangements were everything that could be desired, and wished especially to thank Mr Agar and his partner Mr Roberts for the way in which they had helped them on their first arrival. Unless something unforseen happened, they hoped to be again competitors next year. They had sold their yacht, the Ripple, to Mr Sale of Akaroa. Next year it was to be hoped there would be more yachts from Dunedin, as several fine vessels of that class were owned there. He regretted, and he was sure his friends would also, their absence that evening. He begged to thank them on behalf of his friends. [Cheers.] Mr Hawkins said that the next toast to be proposed was that of some friends who had visited them on former occasions as well as

on this. This was the first year when visitors had taken the majority of the prizes. Be fore that, Lyttelton had always secured Hie majority. This time their great prize had gone to Auckland, and their small one, the yacht prize,, to Dunedin ; while the scullers’ and whale boat races had gone to the Peninsula. The Akaroa crew had pulled heartily and well, and thoroughly deserved the prizes they had won. They had shown great spirit, and so of course had Mr Sale. He hoped next year that there would also be crews from Wellington and Nelson to compete. He begged to propose “ The health of Mr Sale and the Akaroa crew.” [Cheers.J The toast was drank with honors.

Mr H. N. Nalder, as a friend, replied. He said he believed the Akaroa gentlemen were thoroughly satisfied with their reception in Lyttelton. Mr Sale was a great boating man, and had had a boat built lor this special regatta for the Whale boat race. He had also showed his love of sport by purchasing the Dunedin yacht Ripple, thus showing he would no doubt compete both in the four-oar and yacht race next year. He hoped they would drink heartily the health of Mr Sale and his capital crew. [Drunk with applause.] Mr Cunningham then rose to propose the health of Captain Wells, of the Albatross, he said that they were as fine a lot of schooners in the race as had ever competed in that harbor. Winning such a race was something to be proud of. They would now wet the cup so worthily gained. He hoped to see Captain Wells at the regatta next year, with, if possible, a finer vessel, but he did not think it probable that for years to come they would have finer vessels competing. He hoped that, on the first day of 1876, they might meet again in friendly rivalry. He wished the Albatross a happy voyage to Auckland. They would arrange about a champion flag which he could carry and be proud of anywhere. [Cheers.] The cup was then filled with champagne and passed round to the company, who drank her health with enthusiasm.

Mr George Agar proposed the health of the Defeated Captains,” coupled with the name of Captain Whitby of the Emerald. He would have liked to see him there. He persevered year after year, and he hoped to see him win a prize at their next regatta. The chairman spoke in the highest terms of Mr Cunningham as a sporting man, and he thought they should show their appreciation by presenting Captain Whitby with some gift. The toast of the defeated candidates was then drunk.

Mr Nalder then proposed “Mr Saunders’ health.” He said that Mr Saunders had not only presented a handsome cup, but had done all he could for the success of the regatta. The toast having been drunk, Mr Saunders replied, and said he hoped next year the publicans, who received the chief benefit from the regatta, would join in to get a cup and prize to give, worthy of the publicans of Lyttelton. [Loud cheers]. Mr Packard then proposed the “ Health of Captains Petherbridge and Peters,” and spoke highly of the way in which the flag ship had been thrown open, and the liberality shown. [Cheers]. Mr W. H. Eyes returned thanks on behalf of Captain Peters, and said he knew they would always be ready and happy to assist and encourage the Lyttelton regatta. [Hear, hear.] Mr Byes then proposed the ‘* Commodore and Yice-Commodore, Messrs Cunningham and Nalder.” Both had given a great deal of time and trouble to ensure the success of the regatta. Toast drank, and also that of Mrs Cunningham. Mr Cunningham said he considered the regatta an institution in Lyttelton. [Hear, hear.] He had been their commodore now for two years. He took great interest in the matter, and had a good staff under him, and that was the secret of success. The wet ending of the day was unfortunate. He begged to return thanks for himself and Mrs Cunningham. [Cheers.] Mr H. N, Nalder said that the success of the regatta was an ample reward for any trouble he might have taken. The only thing that he regretted was that Shaw Saville’s other cup had not been competed for. It had been given for a local race, and they bad added money, but the bay boats had not appreciated it. He hoped they would not think that they were treated with want of respect from its not being run for. Next year he proposed it should be given for the yacht race, and if so there would be good competition. | Hear, hear.] He thanked them for their great kindness in drinking his health. Mr Cunningham then proposed the health of the “Officers of the Hegatta,” coupled with the names of the hon sec and treasurer, Messrs Hawkins and Packard. They had elected him commodore in his absence, and Mr Nalder had so cut and dried everything that he had little to do till last week. Messrs Aynsley and Webb must not be forgotten. Mr Murray-Aynsley had been always ready both for work and funds to help them. All the officers had done their work well and carefully. [Cheers.] Toast drunk with honors.

Mr Hawkins, in reply, said his duties were pleasing. They had sufficient funds to satisfy all demands. He was sorry the committee had not decided to give the unappropriated cup to vessels of a larger class. Their commodore and vice-commodore had done their duties well, and he hoped next year to see Mr Naider commodore, Mr Cunningham had held that position two years, and it was rather hard on him. Perhaps some of these days he and the other youngsters might be commodore. [Cheers.] Mr Cunningham said he hoped Mr Naider would be commodore next year, and be advanced to the position of patron or vicepatron. He hoped all their committee would gradually rise to be commodore or vice-commodore. The position of commodore was one Mr Naider was well fitted to occupy, and he hoped to have the pleasure of proposing him when the time came round. Mr Packard was proud that they had drunk his health, he had been six years connected with the regatta, and desired its success warmly. Mr Hobbs would like to say a few words for the Bay.traders or strangers might carry away a wrong impression. Captain Malcolmson had been asked to stand out, and the Nautilus, cutter, had been sent to Dunedin, or no doubt both those vessels would have competed. Mr Boddington said that Wellington would have been represented had it not been for a prior engagement with Picton. He hoped they would be well represented next year. A long discussion ensued as to the want of spirit shown by the Bay traders, in which Mr Carder, Mr Hawkins, and others took part. 1 Mr Naider said that the excuse that they did not know the time to enter was a bad one, as it had been in the same place and at

the same time for ten years. They were afraid to risk their money, at least three captains were outside when the entries were made.

Captain Hobbs explained that most of the best Bay traders were absent at the time. The captain of the Albatross proposed the health of the 11 Committee,’’.coupled with the names of Messrs Allwright and Taylor, and both responded, the former gentleman saying he was very proud of his victory over the Annie Ogle in the Advance. Mr Cunningham alluded to the Yachting Club in his closing speech, and stated there were two yachts now at Dunedin that might be purchased for a reasonable sum.