AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 48, 25 February 1913, Page 8

AQUATICS.

YACHT AND MOTOR. On Saturday afternoon the Devonport Yacbt Club held the second cruising race for the season, tire destination being Hook's Bay. There has not been a race to Hook's' Bay since the days of the Auckland Yacht Club, for although the destination Jβ a convenient one following ah afternoon's sail, the bottom of the bay is shingle, and gives -a poor holding ground. The prizes offered were- £10 in OlaetJ A, and £o in Class B. Eight yachts started; in the first class, and three in the eecond. The heavy southwest wind , blowing against the incoming tide jnade a big sea. The Ariki, lorangi, and Marangi got away with the gun. Then- came the Raweno- and the Waione, the former having a slight advantage. The remainder orf the starters, Kotiri, Ngatira, Queenie, Daiey, Viola, and Ida last, "were well together. With the race well in progress, -Ariki and lorangi were in the lead. The Waiome had passed Rawene and both boats had closed up on the Marangi, and the Ida had improved her position and was shortening the gap on the leaders. The Ariki and the lorangi fought out a great race, the former boats finally crossing the line with lmin 58seC6 to the good. Am interesting struggle for third position took place between the Waione and the Marangi. The boats were alternately in third and fourth positions respectively, the Marangi getting the final advantage crossing the line- two seconde ahead of her rival. Although the Marangi wae short-banded, with a crew of only three, she completed the race in. fine style. The Ida and Rawene were also close together at the finish, the former securing a two-eeconds advantage. The Queenie crossed two minutee twelve seconds ahead of the Viola. At the start, lorangi, Kawene, and Ida -were -without topsaile. The lorangi soon got hers up, and the Rawene and Ida followed suit. The course of 20J knots was covered by the Ariki against the full force of the flood tide in 2 hours 23 minutes. On corrected times Kotiri wins by leec from Marangi.

• The times for the various yachte are given as follows: —Ariki. oh 10e; lorangi, 5—12—2; Waione, 5—21—11; Marangi. 5—21—9; Ida, 5—24—5; Rawene, 5—24 —30; Kotiri, 3—28—8; Ngatira, 5—32— 20: Queenie, 5—33—0; Viola, 5—35—12; and Daisy, 5 —47—20.

•Mr T. Ronayne's fine thirty-foot launch Nelly arrived at -Wellington, last week from Auckland. She was built here by Messrs Collinge and Bell. She is fitted with a 12-h.p. Daman engine, and as rigged with a maet and lug sail. Her fittings are all carried out in a modern etvle.

The need of protected moorings for yachts and motor boate and'other"small craft has been much in evidence of recent years. The matter is now being thoroughly investigated by the Harbour Board, and it is understood that a scheme has been formulated so that upon the payment of a small fee annually any boat round the waterfront will be •allocated- -a separate mooring space in the protected' area.. A special meeting of New Zealand Power Boat Association, ownere -will be the clubrooms on Tae»fey~iiext-*ov<meefcthe Har-bonr-Master 4a .conference, on ..the mat-- ,£>- -^

Th« Jfew Zealand Power Boat Association, is to hold ite third cruising race for the -season-on Saturday- next for boats in A, B, and O elates and tKe Trading class. The competing boats will go once over the .Zealand Pow«r Boat Aeeo■ciation's course. To etart, a number corresponding to -that of t the boat will be held up for a minute; upon the lowering- of the number the boat to start.

Mr W. Wileon'e well-known yacht Heartsease returned 1 .to Auckland on Sunday evening, after a fortiugbfe •holiday cruiee in the North. Quite a number of places were visited, and those aboard had a thoroughly good time. On the whole excellent weather was experienced, and whole eail was carried practically throughout the cruiee. A start was made on Saturday, February S, and during the fourteen- days the Heartsease was away, calls were made at. Waipiro Bay, Russell. Manahora Bay, Whangaruru, Whangarei, Port Fitzroy, Cape Colville, Port Jackson, and Waiheke. When the yacht reaced Ruesell the launches* Fearless, Dauntlees, and GladTβ were also in the bay.

On Saturday next the Poneonby Yacht ■and Launch Cruising Club is to hold races to Awaroa Bay. The yacht race will be started at 2,.40 p.m.. and the launch race fifteen minutes later. An enteriainm-eTit ie to be hefu at the destination on Saturday night, and the ladies of the party are to proceed thence by launch.