TAKAPUNA PUNTS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LIII, Issue 5533, 1 October 1929, Page 3

TAKAPUNA PUNTS.

NIEW BiOAT LAUNCHED AT

AKAROA

The Takapuna hPunt event during the Sanders Cup week attracted a good deal of attention at Akaroa arc! since then several young men here have been keen to own a boat of their own and enjoy the pleasure of sailing in these smart little craft which- have speed and need to .be handled with some sailing knowledge in a good stiff breeze. For summer: cruising in Akaroa Harbour they are ideal and provided one can swim there is no danger in them. In fact, during Sandet's Cup week the! Takapunas stood up to the heavy winds better than the fourteen footers and it was marvellous how they were handled in heavy wind and sea. The first Takapuna to be launched was the "Rascal" owned by G. Le Li'evre and >A. Hemingway. I. Petterson's "Isabel" and W. Everett's "Uni'a" are not /built in the same class but are light draught dingheys with a'beut the sarr.s' measurements. THE NEW BOAT. On Sunday afternoon the "Frolic" Morris Davidson's fine new Takapuna was launched at Daly's Wharf when there was a very large gathering of enthusiasts present to witness her take the water for the first time. His Worship the Mayor, Mr Geo. Armstrong, in speaking at the launch ing ceremony said* the holding" of the Sanders Cup Contest at Akaroa had infused a considerable amount of interest in sailing and' it was a grand thing to see the local bovs take the opportunity of using such, a fine harbour. The enthusiasm infused by the Sander's iCup Contest events had resulted in several boats beinig built for the harbour and he hoped they would be the forerunners of many more. In the old days, when boats were in daily use in getting to the various Bays round the Harbour, sailing was an enthusiatic sport in Akaroa and keen competition characterised the events on the Regatta programme. He hoped' a new era was opening up in which this old enthusiasm would be revived and the young iron would indulge in whalb was admitted to be one of the healthiest and 1 most pleasant summer pastimes.

He congratulatedi Morris Davidson

upon the splendid- boat he was launch ing that day. It was a credit to him and he had been asked to thank Mr Cyril Walker for his* kindness in allowing the builder to use his shed where the boat was-' built during the winter. He was asked also to mention the assistance in. building given by Mr Cliff Williams.

Miss Beattie Giddens then christened the "Froli'c" by breaking a bottle of wine on her hows and the ribbons being cut she took the; water amid the applause of those present.

The "Frolic" is a standard model built Takapuna, and a smart looking craft and reflects the greatest credit upon her owner. Built of light timbers and l highly polished she should give a good account of herself on the ■H^arJbour. After the ceremony the 1 four; craft got out into the fresh northerly breeze which was blowing and gave those watching them an exhibition of their capabilities.

At the forthcoming Regatta there should certainly ibs an event for the Takapuna. punt class.