AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 77, 1 April 1913, Page 8

AQUATICS.

YACHT AND MOTOR. Practically all the records of the New Zealand Power Boat Association were destroyed in the fire at Endean's Buildings on Saturday. Fortunately Mr. Haddock, the secretary, had the roll book in his possession, and Mr. - Jaggs, the assistant, had the details of the races. With the aid of these two books, the ofiicials will be able to reorganise in order to complete the season's programme.

The sale is reported of the keel yacht Colma, lately owned by Messrs. Pollock and Neilsen, to a local yachtsman. The Colma was built at Kawhai, and it will be remembered that vessel sailed from there for Auckland at the beginning of last year. The passage round the Cape was successfully accomplished, and the vessel has remained hero ever since.

Races for championship pennants will bo held on the harbour on Saturday, under the auspices of the New Zealand Power Boat Association. Mr. Bell's Canadian, holder of the under seven Hag, will defend the title in a race with Mr. 11. Bach's launch Pastime. Mr. Edgecumbe's Countess, holder in the under eight, will be matched with Mr. C. il. Drylands Ivotiri. The Jean and the Ikarere exceeded the speed limit in the under nine knots race last time, so that both launches are now eligible to compete in the over nine knots class. The claimants for the under nine championship are the Media!', Doreen, Bona, and Kirita. Some interesting races may be looked for.

It was unfortunate that the wet ,-wesither interfered with the arrangements for aquatic sport locally on Saturday. A meeting of the Power Boat Association will be held ou Wednesday, -when arrangements will be made for the picnic postponed from Saturday last. It is likely that the yacht squadron officials will consider the position to the re-resail of the general handicap at a later date. The North Shore Yacht Club committee •will meet on Wednesday to fix a date lor the races postponed on Saturday. The yacht Ailsa, owned by Messrs. Hamill Bros., had a rough time in returning to Wellington after an Easter cruise in Tory Channel. A party of six left Wellington in the little vessel. They had a fair trip across the Strait. After an enjoyable cruise in the Sounds the crew looked round for a favourable opportunity to return, but on Monday it was noticed that a gale was raging in the north. Ou Tuesday it was decided to leave the channel, and the crew of the yacht Maliina (owned by Messrs. Moore Bros.) offered to give the Ailsa a tow through the rip. When the worst part of the water was reached the tow-line parted, and the Mahina's engine stopped. A fierce wind was blowing at this time, and both vessels were at the mercy of the waves. After a time the Mahina's engine was again working, but it was too risky to attempt another tow. The MahLna "ran to shelter, but the Ailsa's crew decided to continue the journey. The Ailsa came right across to Ohariu ori a staysail in a dangerous sea, and, well handled, never shipped a single sea. The party anchored for the night in a sheltered bay, and reached port the next day. i