VISITING YACHTSMAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 898, 15 February 1930, Page 8

VISITING YACHTSMAN

COLONEL NEILL IS GUEST OF YACHT SQUADRON AMERICA CUP CONTEST Surprise that on Anniversary Day Auckland had mustered a fleet of 200 yachts was expressed by Colonel Duncan Neill. D. 5.0., yacht racing expert and adviser to Sir Thomas Lipton, during an address to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron last evening, as guest of the club. Colonel Neill was welcomed by the commodore. Mr. W. P. Endean, who presided. There was a large attendance of members and visitors, including the colonel’s brother, Mr. R. G. Neill. Mr. M. H. Wynyard, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, and Captain H. H. Sergeant, harbourmaster. In introducing Colonel Neill. Mr. Endean expressed the hope that Sir Thomas Lipton would be successful in winning the America Cup. Referring to the large number of yachts on the Waitemata, Colonel Neill said that in Great Britain, if they could assemble 90 they would be lucky. The boats in the Old Country were larger, but the fleet in Auckland was one of which the city might well be proud. The colonel expressed the hope that yachtsmen in Auckland would not forsake their sails or even the powered craft for the motor-car. Colonel Neill told the story of the America Cup. and referred to the race this year. Sir Thomas Lipton had wished to challenge during the last few years, but had been dissuaded until the conditions of the race had been altered. This had been done, "and he had at once challenged the New York Yacht Club. Sir Thomas was much more satisfied with the new rules governing the contest. It was his greatest wish that he should be successful in taking the cup back to England. On Mr. Endean’s announcement that the squadron would forward a letter to Sir Thomas Lipton, wishing him success, Colonel Neill said that ’ the great yachtsman would greatly appreciate such an action.