AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 270, 14 November 1910, Page 7

AQUATICS.

MOTOB ATTO SAIL. OPENHTG OF THE SEASON. Fine weather marked the opening of the yachting season on Saturday. There was no attempt at a concerted function on the part of the clubs, and the dnbe that had arranged fixtures for the day carried them out independently. The Victoria and Fonsonby cruising clubs held cruising races to Waiheke. The New Zealand Power Boat Association ©IBclclly opened the launch season, while the West End and St. George's rowing clubs held their flrst trial fours of the season. Home 20 launches of the Tower Boat Association assembled oft the Railway wharf at 2 p.m., and, with Connnodon- J. P. Howden's launch Boma In the lead, proceeded up the harbour as far as the hulks in line astern. The boats then strung out across the harbour until all were In line astern, and then In line abreast proceeded to Kauri Point, where they again dropped into line astern. Vicecommodore W. 11. Hazard's launch Virginia occupied the ct.ni.ral position, ■while Rear-commodore C. Palmer's launch ■Perfection was in charge of the rear. A landing was made at Pine Islam], and the party partook of refreshments. PONSONBY CRUISING CLUB. The ronsonby Cruising Club Held cruiemg races for yachts and launches on Saturday last. The course for the sailing boats was from St. Mary's Bay, outside Rangitoto and Motutapu, finishing at Station Bay. The Alvtt, Glady. Foam, Mistletoe, and WiVitangi were sent away to a good start, and the flrst boat to finish was the Alva. Then came the Glndy, Mistletoe, and Foam in close order; Waitungt retired. With time nlowan-ce Mistletoe is first, with one second to spare from Foam, Glady being third, and Alvu fonrth. The launch race was over a direct course from St. Mary's Bay to Station Bay, and resulted in a win for Loys, with Marore second, and Tamahlne third. Mr A. Bettany acted as starter, Mr Wilson as timekeeper, and Mr Harper as judge. The trews assembled on Mr Wilson's yacht. Heartsease, where «n enjoyable evening was spent. VICTORIA CBPISING CLUB. Tbe Victoria Cruising Club held cruising races to Miitciitea. The first-class yachts proceeded outside Rangttoto and MVitutapu, and the second-cless boats followed the inside course. In the tirst-elass, Valdorii was first, and Calypso second; and in Uie second-class Acacia was first, Mcwai second, and Venue third. MANUKA.U YACHT CLUB. The yachting season on the M-anukau was opened by the Manuknu Yacht Club on Saturday afternoon last. Tbe yachts and motor launches assembled off the Onehunga wharf, and after taking oa board parlies of ladles and gentlemen, manoeuvred under the direction of Commodore Marks, and then ■proceeded to Waikowhai Bay, where a picnic was held. A sports programme ivns gone through, and various games for old and young were indulged In, Refreshments were provided, and prizes and lollies weTfe distributed among tbe children. There were some 500 people present, and the outing was voted a most enjoyable one. The president (.Mr. C. Bagley) congratulated the members on the position their club hold In the aquatic world ana on the near advent of their ivew club-house. The club'a opening day, he said, was now looked upon as Onehunga's gala day. lie wished the clnb every success. Cheerg were given for the club, the president, and. Messrs. Bray and Co., who placed tiie.-r scows at the disposal of the club, the boat-owners, and tbe couimlttee. itownro. WEST END "AT HOME." The West End Rowing Club opened their Reason on Saturday, by holding an "At Home" and trial fours at the club house, St. Mary's Bay. There were some 800 people present, and the scene on the beach was an animated one, -the varied and beautiful costumes of the ladies being In pleasing contrast with the quiet beauty of the landscape. The waters of the bay were dotted with divers pleasure craft, and aebore and afloat ail present entered into the proceedings with most evident pleasure. The spectators commanded on uninterrupted view of the course, and the races being close and well contested created a grent deal of Interest. The Bavarian Band played musical selections throughout the afternoon, and afternoon tea was dispensed by the Ladles' Committee. The visitors included representatives of the Auckland, Wsitemata and North Shore Clubs, the first-named being represented by seven crews. Including an eight-oar. Owing to the death of Mr Glen McLean, son of ii r Murdoch McLean, president of the club, the flag on the club-house was down at halfmast, and the coxswains taking part in the races were in mourning. The races were rowed in four heats and a final. The first heat brought out crews stroked by W. W. Wright, A. E. Fredric, E. Ilenneley and W. O. Carla-w, find resulted In a win for the last-named by half n length, Predric being second. 6. Cole, W. J. C. Davtdeon, A. K. Carla-w, J. 11. Bifielow and G. S. (Mitchell fought out the second heat, and a closely-contested rnoc resulted Jin ft win for «ole, with Davidson thxeeqnarters of a length away second. In the third heat T. Blonifleld. R. Smith. L. Dlxon, C. C, Rae and W. Massey were the competitors, and the winner turned up in Rue'a crew, which headed Blonifleld by a length. Hmrth and JHxon fouled near the line at a ! moment when it was practically anyboy's race, co clone together were the erewg. V.rume stroked by N. V. Cato. E. H. McI Donald, B. J. Keane and C. Dunning ap- ; peared In the fourth heat, which ■woe won by Keane, with three-quarters of a length to spare from Dunning. Crews stroked by Carlaw, Cole, Rae and Keane contested the '■ final, a keen, close race which Rae won, Oar;iaw, a half-length awny, being second. The ; winning crew were C. c. Rae. 8. Ilascara. M. O'Connor, K. K. Higelow. E. Poison and Elliott (cox). A special challenge race, married v. single member*, was won by the 1 latter, tbe winning crew being us follows: jT. Blomfleld. C. Dunning, C. Dixon and A. E. Carlww. The races were started bj Mr J. Ckwk, and Mr A. Burt kindly placed hi* Launch at his disposal. iMr A. M. Pateri eon acted as judge. ! ST. GEORGES ROWING CLUB. The official opening of the *R. George's Club for the season took pVave on Saturday ] afternoon. The scene on the waterfront was a bright one, perfect weather conditions ! having induced the lady visitors to don ! their emmner nttire. The giwwts numbered .upwards of itOO, and an enjoyable afternoon was spent. Tea was dispensed by the club's energetic Ladle-s' Committee, to -nrhorfe kindly assistance the success of the function was largely due. As anticipated, the Trial Fours provided excellent racing, good form being I shown by the majority of the crews, despite I the choppy water. !Mr A. G. Rusby officiated a«s starter ami umpire, and ail heats iTvere rowed to schedule time. Following are the particulars of the races:— First Hear.— V. 11. O"Gorman A. Spencer. J. liili. S. Dean; I{. E. Alpe, 11. .1. Itellly, K. Elliott. T. Bristol: It. A. Bjch. C. Cozens. N. 'E. White. W. Anderson. Bach's crews won from U'Qorman by a canvas, Alpe's being half a length behind. A good race. Second neat.—E. I). Elliott, 11. Woodroffe, H. Clinkard. Thornton; T. Duffy. R. I'ycroft. K. Frusor, Kerr; 11. B. Harper, 8. Stichhiiry. !■". Wesrbur.v. Bris:o!; Isaac i I.intou. K. Aimer. Can - . He Itenzy. After (an exciting etrnprgU*. -Linton's crew «ecur«Mi ithe verdict. Harper a close second, and the 'others close up. Third Heat.—W. Smith. N. Mitchell. S. 'Scott, f. I.imon; R. Ivnnkln. V. <i. Alpo O. Scott, G. Williams; 0. K. Stone. V. Aimer, Mrmkuouse, Jacob!. iStone's crew won this .hrat by two lengths from W. Smith. I The final between the heat-winners was the best race of the day. the under^men•tloned crews having qualified to compete: 'n. A. Baob, C. Cozens, N. E. White, W. [Anderson; A. Lintou, K. Aimer Ciirr, De Uenzy; C. E. Stone, V. Aimer, Monkhnuse, Jacobl. From an even start. Stone's crew 'was the first to show out. followed closely |t»y Linton und Rnch. Stone maintained his ■lead until a few yards from the finishing ' line, when Lin ton'd creiv. who wrre rowing 1 well together, and had been decreasing ! Stone's lead all the way. shot ahead, and ' won a splendid race by a few inches.