AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 51, 29 February 1916, Page 8

AQUATICS.

» Viking was away for a quiet cruise at Cowes Bay during the week end. Thelma is up Xorth for a cruise, and will probably be away for a week or so. Freda, which wae drawn up year, by year at llevonport, has just returned from a two weeks' cruise up North. Queenie, whose mast carried away in the regatta, lias had a new maet stepped and ha 3 been launched again. The North Shore and Ponsonby Clubs held a combined cruising race to Awaroa Bay on Saturday afternoon. The weather was perfect yachting weather, and'a big field faced the starters. The eouree was from starting line off the end of King's wharf and marked boat moored north, thence direct to Awaroa Bay, keeping outside Bean Rock lighthouse and Brown's Island buoy, and finishing between the wharf and the launch Speedwell. The North Shore Club was holding class races, and the following boats secured places: Class 1., Mahaki 1, Speedwell 2, yueenie 3. In the other classes Blue Streak, Valeria, Allies and Moutere all got firsts. The Ponsonby race was a general handicap, and was won by Mahaki, with Speedwell and Blue Streak in that order. The Dulcie was run inio at the start and got' a bit of a bump, but I have not got the facts quit<> straight, though a great deal of damage was not done. There ie the usual controversy as to who was in the mix-up. The Lilac was in blossom in the Ladies' Race in the Bayswater Club on Saturday, and won a nice little race on corrected times by about six minutes. The conditions of the race were that tho boats were to be eteercd by ladies, and a suitable harbour course was chosen. Phoebe was second and Ngaru third, i sometimes wonder when I read of ladies' races if all the winners are married ladies, or I might put it another way and wonder-if allijhc: marjied la^di.ea..,a f r,e. l winners. "I'-cxpectso if their husbands are yachting men, for the sea develops a fine stamp, both in body and spirit. The Manukau saw a busy Saturday afternoon. The Onehunga National Reserve were taken dpwn the harbour and landed for military training on the Sunday. Waione won the launch race, with the weather exceptionally calm. Mascotte had bad luck with her engine, and Norma and Cynthia filled second and third places respectively. A -iveil-known yachting skipper won a race in Sydney the other day by keeping afloat—nothing unusual in that, but he J was the only one alloat, and of course regarded the race as his seeing he started and finished. He asked his 'friends "to drown a dog" by way of celebration and they did so several times. Now he has just heard that tho race ie to be resailed. The North Shore and Ponsonby Clubs had ideal weather for their launch race to Awaroa, Waihcke. In the Ponsonby Club the Snowflake, a new boat, wins, while in the North Shore Club the Ails* wins. It was one of the hottest days in the year, and the Snowflake ran well. Gertie 11. was second in both clubs. A large number of yachts and launches were in Awaroa Bay for Saturday night and a firet-rate concert and dance was held in Gordon's Hll, and a thorough good time enjoyed. On Sunday the attraction for picnic parties was at Home Bay, where the camp ie ■ being held. The Territorials camp makes one to be a Territorial to be camping on Motutapu and run the rick of being forced' to go in for a swim once at least these burning hot days. The following launches turned up: Sterling Girl, Gretchen, Buffalo Bill, Princess Pat, Roma, Hinemoa, Waioliine, Ngaroraa, Drayton, Sister Dora, Lizard, Maroro, Seabird, Secret, Anzac and Adelaide. The Sister Dora went as far as Turanga Crecjk on Saturday and got a fair haul of flatfish and all the rabbits they wanted. The Roma was out at Rakino on Saturday night and secured a good haul of echnapper, but on Sunday had no luck at all, aot even one Echnapper. It is reported that the launch Fleetwing has been purchased by the flying people, Dexter and Walsh, who will probably metal a high power engine. On Saturday coming the Whitney and Kean cups will be competed for in a general handicap race. In the Whitney cup the ladies will, as usual, show how expert they are at handling motor boats. Besides these races ,there will be challenge races for the pennant, and the Scripps 111. will try and break 17 knots. Another new launch, supposed to be a regular streak for speed, ie also expected to compete, so given a calm or" light day there should be a. buey-season on the waterfront. • Quite a number of launches called in on Sunday at the Tamaki from Awaroa Bay. Waharoa, Roma G., Gertie 11., and Okere being amongst the crowd. Maroro wae fishing off Crusoe, and in, a very short time caught over 100. Other launches at the same time couldn't find the spot, and not 60 fortunate. Elsma, with visitors aboard, called in at Home Bay on Saturday afternoon and then went on to Matiatia and Owanaki. On the Sunday a call* -was made at Mullet Bay, where they found the_Rita, Regina and Moana. The last meeting of the Yacht and Motor Boat Association "was held last year. This is not written as a prophecy, but as a question of fact. Tho Association should meet the first Monday in each month, but it docs not. . At any rate, it "should meet soon, even if only to elect a chairman, for at the present its chairman is not a delegate, or it has not yet got a chairman.

KaeingTn Dunedin to-day reads like a description of yachting in Auckland some years.back. The race on corrected' times was Matua first, and Janet second,, and many and many a race those two sailed against one another in Auckland waters. Many things happened "in the old Matua," and "when we had the Janet," and good luck to them both. " NEW ZEALAND POWER BOAI ASSOCIATION. The second series of larbour races will take place on Saturday nest, March 4, and the committee have arranged to place a very large and varied programme for the benefit of members. In accordance with the resolution of members at the annual meeting, all entry fees will ibe donated to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund, and that alone should -be a very ibig factor in ensuring good entries. The programme includes the competition for two cups {the Kean and Whitney), and these in past seasons have always drawn great attention from both competitors and spectators. The committee expect that this year will be no exception to the rule. Tie following races will eventuate: —Challenges for championship pennants, Kean Cup, class races (red, white, and blue), and -Whitney Cup (lady steering, as usual). Tbe course in all races will be once round the three and a-half knot course. Entries will be received at the club room, Ferry Buildings, up to 8 p.m. to-morrow (Wednesday).