AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 220, 16 September 1919, Page 8

AQUATICS.

DEMAND FOR BOAT HARBOUR. OTHER PORTS AM HAD OF AUCKLAND. AMONU THE NMAUJSR ORAKT. (By SPEEDWELL.) About the only drawback to the sport of yauhtinp in Auckland is the want ot a boat harbour. For many years past tiiiis matter has <been agitated in and out of season, but so far without very much .success. Wellington, with less than onefifth c-f the niimlicr of bout* we bare, has ;i line boat harbour sheltered from ill weathers, ami it is duly appreciated. ju.lyiiiir liy tiu> ntnnbcr vi yachts and launches the writer saw tiliere last Wellington Regatta Day. Dunedin men also have an area of Gi acres enclosed and set apart, for the dole m-e of pleasure craft l»y Ulieir Harbour Hoard, yet in Auckland, where we have over l>oo yachts and launches with some ."iOOU men taking },n active part in the sport, the totnl value of the fleet running into more than £100,000. we have absolutely no facilities of the kind.

There is a strong feeling amongst all sections of yachtsmen that the Auckland Harbour Hoard has not done all it might have done in bhis matter, and while we know that the addition of a certain sum. earmarked for the purpose of a boat harbour, was struck out of the Board's last Loan Empowering Bill on the suggestion of tlie Minister of Marine as endangering the passing e>t the whole measure, yet it is a fact that something ouglht to be done by the Board to 'provide a safe anchorage for pleasure craft now that so many of our former safe bays have lieen filled in and our boats pusheel further out into the fairway, where they are at the mercy of any drifting trader in a gale, -or may be run down by some careless tug-boat skipper or scow man who cuts things too fine on a dark night. That these ar e not imaginary dangers is proved by tihe fact that each 'has taken place several times during the last few years, anel eeld'om any reelrcss is offered, the offending owners shielding themselves under that wide clause termed "act of God."

In connection with a boat harbour al small but energetic committee was set up at a meeting held in Ponsonby last year. This committee brought forward si scheme to build a sea-wall extending: from Point Erin towards the western tide deflector, provision being made for hauling up skids, dinghy stlieds, lockers, 1 etc, the estimated cost of which was £.'IO.OOO. This was submitted to the Boartl, but tlie Board's Engineer esti' : mated the cost at £200,000. Tins naturally threw a damper on tho scheme, hut after further representation bad been made by the committee, alternative proposals were submittc-d T>y the Hoard. Plan "B," containing an area of 90 acres, was estimated to cost £28,000. Plan "C," containing 50 acres, was estimated at £18,000. Plan "D," containing (10 acres, was to cost £20.000, anel an area of 10 acres (Plan "F") near t)hc new City Markets to cost £10.000.

The committee approved of plan C, and urged on the board the necessity of at once reserving this area, and starting the work soon after the conclusion of the war. The boartl went as far as reserving area C, but there the matter has enelcd. the question of finance being the alleged stumbling block. Learning this, the committee then set to work and drew up a scale of fees for renting mooring sites, hauling up skids and dinghy lockers to cover the cost of interest anel sinking fund off the cost of area C. We understand the necessary sum has been guaranteed, and the board notified to this effect.

The boating men having thus shown their willingness to foot the bill, it is high time the board took some definite action in tlie matter of putting the work in hand. The sum of tIS.OOO, which is their own estimate of the cost, is a mere bagatelle, and surely eloes not require a special loan. The great stumbling block to the writer's minel is the composition of the board. The chairman, Mr. H. D. Heather, is himself a launch owner, and naturally sympathetic, and I have always found him very willing to help the sport in many ways. Several other members are also willing to help the scheme, as they live in the city and personally know the great interest taken in yachting in Auckland, but there are others whose interests are not in Auckland, and least of all on the water, and it is hard to get these gentlemen to vote money for anything but commercial work.

While a boat harbour at Ponsonby is not ideal for owners who live at Nortb Shore or Parnell, yet they recognise that

each suburb cannot expert to have one at its back tloor, and they are broadminded enough to help along the Ponsonby scheme in every possible way.

The best way suggested is to get up a big petition to the board, setting out the estimated cost, the guarantee of interest and sinking fund, etc., and get everyone interested in the sport in Auckland to sign it. The petition could be brought before members of clubs at their annual meetings, or other favourable opportunity, and we feel sure of the result. The matter is also due for some consideration by the Government, for the fostering of a love for the sea and its ways in the youth of this 6ea-girt Dominion is worthy of every encouragement, and the question of a vote in aiel might be brought to the notice of the various canditlateg at the forthcoming elections. -XOTES. Mr. W. P. Enelean, the new owner ot Onelua, expects to have the yacht in Auckland by the middle of October. A skipper and crew left last week for Nukualofa, where the yacht is lying, to sail her to Auckland, and they havo instructions from the owner to report it possible at Cape Brett. On receipt oi this report, Mr. Endean wil go out to meet his new purchase.

The yacht Waione, built by Sutherland Bros., of Devonport, for their own use. has changed hands, her new owner being Mr. McWilliams. This boat is nip at Bailey's, and is having a lot of work done on her. When alloat she will moor at Mechanics' Bay.

Victory, one of the last yachts built by Logaji Bros., is having new combings, a raiseel cabin-top added, and her cabin made lunger by taking in the space formerly occupied by her engine. Mr. 11. George expects to have her 'in good nick and ready for launching on Labour Day.

Work is progressing well on the big fellows hauled -up at C. Bailey's yard, and they should be ready for the opening of the season. Mahaki is here, and has changed .hands lately. Her new owner has burnt her off, and is generally getting her ship-shape. Thistle, •which was purchased last season from Mr. Alec. Dawson by Messrs. Philson and three others, all returned, men, is hauled out. near Mahaki, but is rather backward at present, and the same can be said of Ratigatira (Messrs. Whitney).

On the Victoria Club's ground there are over (id boats hauled up, all of which show signs of active work on the part of their crew. Sadie, the well-known 20----footer. 'will appear with, rich brown topsieles this year. Next to Sadie is Lorney's old-time fishing boat Venice, which, it will be remembered, won a challenge race for a considerable sum rounel Tiri and back. She is now being fitted out as a yacht, and it will be interesting to see how she will fare with the .modern 22-footer. OfT the wind we expect she will not want much of a start; in fact, she should take time out. of some of the fliers on this point, but her fine tuck and smaller sail-carrying power generally will handicap her on a wind.

Amongst the other sailing craft here is Lorelei, formerly the fishing-boat Schopelo, and a sister ship to White Heather, now a well-known Wellington yawl. Zealandia, the big, bulky cruiser, for many years one of Stanford's fishing boats, is also here, and will go off this year after several seasons on the hard. Mixpah, Mahoe. Dnlcie. Doreen, Speedwell, Eulalie. Hetty. Kahrri, WaywardRarere, Emerald, Colleen, Rita, the ex-Panmure 20-footer, Aero, and a little half-decked craft about complete the list of sailers here. This latter boat, Dora, -is not only small in size, but will be sailed by a crew of youngsters. Her skipper, Ronald Morrison, is only 15, two others of the crew own up to 18. while the youngest is only 11 years. The doings of the boys will be watched with interest, the young skipper showing the right spirit in deciding to sail the boat himself.

Amongst the large fleet of launches hauled out here is Mr. J. W. Swales' 40----footer .Sceptre.- which .had all one side stove in .during the gale of May, 1917. Sceptre has been repaired, and a 40 h.p. engine installed, and she looks as good as ever. Mr. A. V. Swales (late R.N.V.R.) hopes to do a lot of cruising this year, and also help with the races of his club.

Florence, a 3G-footer, has had a raised cabin-top added and other alterations to make her more comfortable. Marua, Papeete, Rosalie, Merry Duchess, Alanurere, and a 'host of small -launches 'without names are on the slipway, in various stages of fitting out.

Air. YV. Clare has bought the wellknown ex-champion 26-footer Emerald, built by Clare and Collings, for Mr. Albie -Braund. Her new owner hopes to give the 'more modern 2G-footers a good "go," and with his long experience in handling this type of boat he should lie bard to beat.

In connection with the Victoria Club, nve mentioned in these notes last week the fees charged -for lockers and hauling out, in response to a correspondent's query. There is 6uch a demand, however, for these conveniences that this club's accommodation is taxed to its fullest capacity for the present at least. The 22-footer Valeria, built by Mr. Arch. Logan for Mr. Nelson, of Parnell, which did so well in all her races before being stowed away for the period of the war. is now nearly ready for launching in Hobson Bay: a visit to her last week showed that she is in excellent order. This boat has not been sold as rumoured. Perhaps the fact of the 22-footer Venus having been sold to Devonport gave rise to this rumour, which Valeria's owner has asked us to deny.

'Mowai, for many years the champion 22-footer, has been purchased by Messrs. Maguire brothers, of Onehunga," and was taken out to the western harbour earlier in the year. She is now painted her original light green, and will take part in the Manukau Yacht Club's races this season. ANNUAL MEETINGS. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Power Boat Association will he held in the club house to-morrow evening, at S o'clock. For the convenience of members motor cars will leave the foot of Queen Street from 7.30 p.m. The annual meeting of the Ponsonby Cruising Club will .be held in the clubbouse. Ponsonby, on Thursday evening. The annual meeting of the' Richmond Cruising Club will be held on Tuesday, September 23. at the club-house Heme Bay. The annua! meeting of the Xorth Shore Yacht Club will be held in the Chamber of Commerce on Satin-day. September 27, at 8 pm. 'Hie anual meeting of the Royal New Zealand Yacht .Scjtiadron will be" held in the squadron rooms on Tuesday. September 30. at S p.m. There will be no meeting of the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association this month. The next meeting will be held on Monday, October 13, by which time all clubs will have elected their delegates for the season. The arrangements for the official opening of the season will be made at this meeting.