NELSON REGATTA CLUB.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 58, 7 March 1872, Page 2

NELSON REGATTA CLUB.

About 40 gentlemen interested in boatracing met at the Trafalgar Hotel, last evening, on the occasion of the presentation of Messrs. Shaw & SaviHe's Cup to Mr. J. S. Cross, the owner and sailer of <he Minnehaha, the winning yacht. ViceCommodore Lowe having taken the chair, called upon Mr. C. L. Maclean to present the Cup, and, in complying with the request, that gentleman said — We are met together this evening on what I cannot but consider an interesting occasion, being that of presenting this silver cup to Mr. Cross— owner of the yacht Minnehaha— who so gallantly maintained his right to the possession of it, against all comers, on the occasion of the late sailing match in these waters. For once in the history of regattas we had, in the race alluded to,"a struggle fought out to the end, the superiority of one boat fully established, and the prize honestly von without one word of protest or dissatisfaction being heard when all was done, I am sure I echo your sentiments when I say that we all rejoice in the success of Mr. Cross, and that we heartily wish him health and prosperity in the future together with a clear eye and a steady hand to gui le the Minnehaha once and again victoriously round a course such as that she has just sailed. But I am also sure that I echo your sentiments when I say that those gentlemen who entered boats which were unsuccessful in the late race, as well as in the regatta of last year, are worthy of the highest praise and of our best thanks. I never saw a true Briton yet who could not take a heating in good part and without indulging in feelings of envy or bitterness after he had received his punishment. The beaten gentlemen are present amongst us to-night determined to take their full share in the presentation. At a considerable sacrifice of time, trouble, and money, three new vessels were built by these gentlemen and Mr. Oo?s in the hope of keeping the challenge cup in Nelson. We all know what the result was; we know that a Canterbury boat took the cup away, but we don't know yet, we cannot estimate the good that will result from this self-denial and preparation for the struggle, although the result was disastrous to us. Gentlemen, we live in an island home, as our forefathers did before us; our hearts yet warm when we speak of the " Meteor Flag " and the " Wooden Walls of Old England," and why ? because in those few words are embodied the secret of Bngland'sfairand great name. Now, if we are ever to emulate the deeds of our Mother State, we must induce our young men in the seaport towns, at any rate, to find for themselves a home upon the world of waters during at least a portion of their lives ; we must make sailors of them , that they in turn may beget a race of hardy seamen, who, should it ever become necessary, may go out and strike the blow, as England did before them, instead of waiting at home to receive it. To you, Captain Cross, a " true salt," I have unfeigned pleasure on behalf of the Regatta Club, in handing over this Cup, the memorial of what you and your yacht have been able to accomplish. It is not a challenge cup, so that it becomes your property absolutely from this date. May your cup of happiness be always as bright as this is, and as full as it is about to become. The Cup was then filled with champagne and passed round, and the health of the winner drunk most heartily. Mr. Okoss, in reply, said that he had as little anticipated so pleasant a meeting as he had expected that at the age of threescore years he would sail a yacht that was to prove the winner of so handsome a prize. However, he was like an old horse who, long after he he has passed his prime, was always on the alert for a burst after the hounds on hearing the merry tones of the huntsman's horn, and he could not refrain from " wiring in " -when there was a yacht race about. He should like to see the young men of the place receive every encouragement to induce them to take to yachting, for there were no better yacht sailors in the world than amateurs. He begged to thank Mr. Maclean for the flattering manner in which he had presented the Cup, and those present for the hearty manner in which they had drank bis health. A number of toasts were afterwards proposed and responded to, and a most

pleasant evening spent by all present. Before the party broke up the subject was mooted of the desirability of providing a boat to take part iv the next interprovincial regatta, and a subscription list for the purpose was set on foot.