AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 184, 6 August 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

AQUATICS.

By the mail for Sydney on Monday last the West End Rowing Club despatched their order to Messrs Edward and Son, of Melbourne, for a clinker out-rigged gig, to be delivered here early in October. The boat will thus be available in good* time for the opening summer fixtures.

The Sydney 'Referee' of last date to hand contains the folloiving in reference to the litter Goloftial 1-Rate> Championship: —The want of response to the invitation extended by Aucklanders to Australia' to take part in an Intercolonial championship for 3-raters at the forthcoming ! North Shore (Auckland) Native Regatta is causing great surprise in Maoriland. So far as New South Wales is concerned, the oft-repeated boast that Port Jackson is the home of yachting south of the Line is thus seriously questioned. Here is an opportunity given for gaining a championship and a prize of no less than £ 100, and this, so to speak, at our own door, and yet no answer so far has been vouchsafed. New South Wales has shown the way in regard to intercolonial open-boat sailing, ably assisted by Queensland, why not, therefore, step in with a hearty response to Auckland's invitation in connection with one-raters? Years ago it was suggested in the "Referee" that a series of intercolonial races for one-raters should he held. The good suggestion has been taken up in New Zealand, and it remains for out yachtsmen to show their appreciation.' The Sydney crack 22-footer yacht Irex has arrived in England from Australia by steamer and her owner has been challenged .to a series of five races by the Commodore of the Medway" Sailing .Club. The well-known 22-footer was recently purchased by Mr J. Macken, of the firm bf Mark Toy, just/prior to his departure for England, with the intention of giving a pleasant surprise to MrFoy, who has been absent from the colony,for the last couple of years. Mr Fdy; }& Commodore off the Sydney Flying Squadron. Irex is now about 1} years old, having been built in 1887 by Jb'e ttofitielTy lor Mr 'Mck' JfrhHfißfl, one of the best-known, of Sydney amateur.boatrsail.ers, ..From.that tame until the end, of. last.^ear, IreS has been raced ccmtiftutmsly- throughout every season but two, anil her record has not been approached by any other boat of her class. .

It is said* according to the Sydney 'Referee,' that a Sydney gentleman talks of importing a. small' yacht from England for next season. If , we- are to have an importation of the kind (says the 'Referee.) 'she will 'be an acquisition, and 'will, no doubt, -find a-rival in the New Zealand Meteor. The opening- day; of the English racing- seanson, Junel, when the New Thames Yacht Club led off, proved full of incident. Eight yachts engaged in the race, but only three fin. ished. Soon after a start was effected a squall lifted the mast clean out of Morning Star, and at the same ; time several, of her crew were thrown into the water. Ailsa (92 rating) was the only one to drag her whole sail through the squall, and had a long lead of Bona (82.1 rating) at one time, despite her yawl rig, but eventunally she had to retire with a sprung boom, leaving Caress (47.3 rating) and Bona to finish. The former was an easy winner by time. The match for yachts of 47ft and not exceeding 52ft linear rating, for which Morning Star (53) and Penitent (51.9) turned out, started with the big race. In this match Penitent sailed much the faster, but had to finish alone, owing to the mishap to Morning Star. The Bona (the Duke of Abruzzi's cutter yacht) won several succeeding races in English waters. At a. meeting held on Wednesday the St. George's Rowing Club decided :to ordei- two out-rigger gigs from Norton, of Wellington. The boats are to be ready in good time i OS the opening of the season.