Aquatics.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 98, 22 October 1898, Page 3 (Supplement)

Aquatics.

fßy Neptune.] la there any chance of a one design class for Wellington ? Of course, there is' not the scope here to run a class like the English Solent one-design class, but the Arawa Club could do it on a modified scale. The idea was mooted some months ago, but as nothing has come of it I mention it again. Take the Dublin Bay Colleens. They are good little boats, roomy, easily managed, and sea-worthy— while the cost, if built by a local builder, would only be about £30. To run a one -design class properly, all boats should be built by one firm from the one design, and lots drawn for ownership. But, as this is impossible here, each owner could build his own boat— of course from, the one design. Three boats would start the class ; move would follow when it was seen what sort of sport they gave. I will endeavour to obtain a reduced design of the Colleens and send it to the Arawa Club's Secretary, with the hopes of something being done by him and his energetic club. What a splendid thing it would be for Wellington yachting if our respected Governor would only follow Lord Brassey's example and fly his flag at the masthead of, say, a first-class cutter. Membership would grow, as would the numbsr of j'-achts, and the prize-list would benefit in a pleasing manner. Just fancy the proud feelings of Port Nicholson Yacht Club members on the night of a general meeting if they had the honour of deciding whether or not they should choose for their commodore such a candidate as the representative of our Queen ! Lord Ranfurly is a keen sportsman, we kiiOvv ; but yachting is the finest sport of all, and a person capable of enjoying life must take to yachting if he only tries it once or twice. Hore is a auggestion toy the Club Committee that would perhaps turn in a few pounds for the trouble arid ba enjoyed by members. The North Shore (Auckland) Sailing Club, during the past winter, held two very succesaful socials, the second one" turning in a profit of about £5. They took the shape of smoking concerts, helped along by a series of limelight views show.'ng nautical scenes and local, English, and Australian yachts. I am told they were first-rate affairs, and took very well. Last December twelve months an Exhibition Handicap was sailed under the ' Mark Eoy ' system, which seems a good idea, and if the Committee can see their way to try it now and again I think it will take among owners. In fact, if it were tried on regatta day it might induce the public to take a little more interost in the races. The average outsider knows really nothing about the result of a race till ho sees it reported in -the newspaper next day, and all that he can see is a number of yachts sailing in different directions till rounding the laat buoy, and even then he has no idea as to whether the one home first or the one a mile or so astern will be the winner. Of course there are objections to be raised, but the general public could see the state of the races, and some finishes would be very exciting. These close finishes would be talked about, and would serve as an advertisement for the Club. A good boat (Mima) is going to ruin for the want of an enterprising yachtsman who would be willing to experiment a little. The " opinion of an experienced man was given the other day to the effect that if the boat were fitted, with a bulb-fin— a la Niagara— she would be good enough , for Waitangi in any waather almost. She certainly ought to suit well for the experiment, and as she is to be bought very oheaply the cost would not be a very heavy one.