YACHTING SEASON

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12604, 15 November 1926, Page 8

YACHTING SEASON

OPENING OF R.P.N.Y.C. SAILING IN FINE WEATHER PICTON BOAT ON TRIAL SPIN The yachting season, so far as the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club ia concerned, commenced on Saturday when Sir John Luke, M.P., performed the opening ceremony at the clubhouse in tho presence of a large gathering. In spite of the rough night and the threatening weather of the morning, the afternoon was quite fine, and the harbour was made attractive for yachtsmen by a fresh southerly breeze which included many of the members

outside the boat harbour. The scene was one of general festivity, and the gaily decorated yachts in the calm waters of the vicinity of the clubhouse enhanced the pleasing effect. One feature of the day—and incidentally the subject of much admiration—was the presence of Mr Barker’s new 45-foot schooner Queen Charlotte, which crossed book’s Strait on Friday on her trial spin from Picton. This boat presented a magnificent picture as she took the open harbour under tho power of her motor engines. Most of the boats were in the water for the opening, and several launches were under power carrying passenger* upon pleasure excursions. The Miramar Band was in attendance, and played a very pleasing programme of popular music. The proceedings were brightened by the staging by King Neptune and his honourable court, of a nautical farce “Crossing the Line,” which is quite familiar to those who have crossed the equator in a passenger liner. The king of the deep appeared with his retinue clad in flowing robes designed in mermaids and empty spirits bottles (“dead marines”), and the court barber carried a razor three feet in length, which he used effectively upon the unfortunate prisoners, which were first whitewashed and shaved, then tipped suddenly and unceremoniously into the chilly harbour. The court broke up in riot when the prisoners revolted, and heaved King Neptune and hie nenchmen backwards intb the water. The commodore of the club, Mr D. K. Blair, spoke briefly before the opening ceremony, and he was succeeded by Sir John Luke, who said that yachting was one of the most outstanding sporta in the Dominion. He knew from experience that those here would present as good a showing with the yachts as those in any part of the world. Those in New Zealand should be thankful that they came from British stock, Sir John went on, for in the British Empire the navy^—even in the oldest days—was one of its chief assets. The Old Countrv had always been interested in nautical movements because it lived by the sea, and recognised that it was necessary for the expansion of the Empire and the building of a concrete world policy. Again we had to thank those who had used the sea to travel out here and settle this country for the present generation. Yachting would never have to haul down its flag to other sports while Commodore Blajt was at the head of things. (Applause.) Sir John later presented the cup donated by Mrs Kirkcaldie for the ladies’ race last year to Mr 9 J. E. L. Cull. The visitors were entertained in afternoon tea at the clubhouse.

COMMERCIAL NEWS WILL BE FOUNO ON PAGE 3 OF TODAY’S ISSUE.