AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 307, 24 December 1912, Page 8

AQUATICS.

YACHTING AITD MOTOR BOATS. Some time ago the officials of the Whangare, Regatta Committee wrote to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squardon requesting that the Auckland body should handicap and start boats in a race which it was proposed to hold from Auckland to v. hangawi, the arrangement beinnthat the yachts should leave here on New dear's Kve, and so arrive at Whangarei the following day. in time for the re"atta At a meeting of the Yacht Squadron it was decided that, as a matter of courtesy' to the regatta committee, the request -should be complied with. In the meantime, however, the committee appear to have made no arrangements for the race, and the Squadron h quite in the dark as to when the race is to commence, what boats are to compete, the destination and the prizes offered. Naturally nothing can be done til] some definite "arrange"! ments are made from Whangarei. Quite a number of boat owners are prepared to [ start in the race if the conditions are I favourable.

The Victoria Cruising Club yachts Colma and Rangatira left Auckland on Saturday for Whangaroa. The weather has been in favour of the vessels, so that if they proceed direct they should have been in the northern harbour yesterday. Some of the small boats are to be taken up the coast just before the New Year. Tbe crews intend to make an effort to be present at the Whangarei regatta. Among others, the 22-footer Dulcie is to leave here with Whangarei as a destination.

Entries for the second harbour race of the New Zealand Power Boat Association close on Wednesday. January Bth. at 7.30 pjn., and the race will take place on the following Saturday. The race will be over one round of ' the N.Z.P.B.A. 61 knot course. Boats will be started from the flagship by a number corresponding to that of the launch being held for the space of one minute, the •boat to cross the line immediately the number is dropped. Any boat that crosses the line before the number is dropped must return and re-cross. All boats must fly the Association burgee, carry the number allocated, and be steered by a member of the Association.

Mr. A. R. Fisher reports that a 35-foot launch, built by Mr. C. Gouk, and fitted with a 10 h.p. Niagara engine, has been acquired by Mr. Glass, of Auckland. The firm has shipped a 20ft Palmer-powered surf boat to a Napier purchaser.

Telegrams from R.N.Z.Y.S. yacht owners on cruise, received at the Squadron rooms, have been posted as follows: —

Mr. E. C. Bloomfield wired from Whangaroa on Monday morning:—"We left Auckland on Saturday afternoon at 2.15 o'clock, with a moderate to light south-west to south wind. Cape Brett was passed at 5 a.m. on the next day, but soon afterwards a baffling light wind was met with, which continued till arrival at Whanearoa at 11.25 a.m. on Sunday. The weather is still delightful."

From Monganui the crew of the KoT.iri telegraphed yesterday morning: "Arrived Sunday : good south-west weather."

Mr. W. "Wilson, who is away on an extended cruise north in the Heartsease, wired "All well" from Whaugaroa. The Heartsease left on Saturday night.

A large proportion of the sail and motor fleet will be away from Auckland during the Christmas and New Year holidays. A number of tbe smaller boats are going down the gulf, but quite a lot. taking advantage of the congenial weather, contemplate going up the coast. Last week-end there were a particularly large number of the aquatic fraternity in Awaroa Bay. Mr. J. C. Macky's yacht Ilex, which has been on a coastal cruise, is due back at Auckland for Christmas. The Ngatira is to go away for two days at Christmas, and, according to present arrangements, the cutter Victory is to leave to-day for the Poor Knights.