AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 95, 21 April 1906, Page 12

AQUATICS.

The launches Matareka and Geieha visited Waiheke, Shag Bock, Thames, Kawakawa, and Kopu during the Easter holidays., .._._;. . . The launch Karoro visited Great Barrier and Arid Island* She returned to Auckland on Tuesday. The Taihoa was at Waiheke, Gannet Rock, Kayau, and Waiwera. The Southern Wairoa proved a source of attraction for the small sailing boats, some fourteen or fifteen spending the greater part of the holidays there. The launch ra-ce for the Standard Cup will take place next Saturday under auspices of the New Zealand Power Boat Association. The race, which is open only to bona fide cruisers, is over a course of 31J knots. The course, I understand, will be as follows: From the Queen-street Wharf, thence round pile off Chelsea, thence round Motutapu and Rangitoto, thence round pile off Chelsea, finishing off the Queen-street Wharf. The boats must keep outside all fairway marks. Entries closed at noon today, so that the handicappers will have ample time to arrange their handicaps.

The yacht Viking went to the Great Barrier. Owing to. the light wind the return trip occupied about forty hours.

The calm weather that prevailed for the holidays was admirably suitable for the motor boats, but it was rather tedious work for the. yachtsmen coming home on Monday afternoon, as their boats made little headway. Still yachtsmen and motorists alike had a very enjoyable holiday, and in the matter of the number of boats that were away cruising I think this Easter's cruise was far more successful than a great many of its predecessors.

A yacht race that is likely to prove of the greatest interest is being organised under the auspices of the Hawaii Yacht Club. The course will be from the Golden Gate of San Francisco to the beautiful islands of Hawaii ft the Pacific. The contest will be open to the world, and will finish at Honolulu. This will be the first yacht race run across the Pacific. The trophy offered for the race is the Hawaiian Cup. subscribed by the Ha.wii Yacht Club. On one side of* this trophy is shown a scene at Waikki beach, with the grim Diamond Heal looming large in the background. On the other side wiJl be engraved the winner of the cup. This cup will be won outright. •

With an eye to some racing with, the competitors assembled at Honolulu, the Hawaii Y.C. will organise fetes, and entertain their guests on a lavish scale. It should require little incentive, it is thought, to induce yacht owners to sail in this race to the Pacific Paradise, as Hawaii has been called.

One of the Hawaiian boats to compete wiJl be the La Paloma, a, vessel representative of Pacific yachting, with a length ovp.r-all of 48ft. She is a modern schooner-rigged owned by Mr C. W. Macfarlane. Another local competitor mentioned for the list is Gladys, owned by Mr Hobron. Gladys is a small yacht, but very seaworthy , . A number of yachts are also entered from the mainland clubs.