AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 41, 17 February 1920, Page 7

AQUATICS.

WAITEMATA YACHTSMEN* VISIT THE MANUKAU. A CLIMB TO THE SOUTIT HEAD. WEEK-MSD NOTES. (By SPEEDWELL). The annual interchange of visits between the yachtsmen of the Waltemata aud Manukau harbours, Inaugurated four years ago, took phice on .SaUrrduy, when aoont 30 yachtsmen, representing all the Auckland yadu and motor boat clubs, asbefore ;t p.m.. and. were conveyed about 14 miles down .harbour to Oruu Buy in launches -belonging to the members of the iManukau Club. Owing to several launches being nipped by the tide, there were not ns many boats as nsual, 'but all the visitors wore accommodated, a number of the Manuknu members making the trip on the auxiliary scow Tuahine, 'whose (kipper. Captain Hudson, kindly placed his vessel at the disposal of the dub fur the weekend when lie heard of tile shortage of boats. A working bee of some eight or ten. hended by Commodore Bert Herd, preceeded the party, and when the fleet arrived off the rendezvous a Large marquee was in position, and a 'bountiful repast, all steamiug hot. ready for their guests. The run down had sharpened appetites, and ample justice was done to the fare provided by over 70 visitors and members.

After ten, a strong acetylene light was rigged in the tent, aud about 8 o'clock an Impromptu concert wuh coniiueuced, Mr. J. Park (Mayor of Ouehunga, and also president of the Manukau Olub) taking charge of the gathering from an elevuted position on a case of apples. The gathering had been augmented t>v uettlers and. campers Iα the vicinity, and nunihered over 100. The usual loyal toast wa£ proposed «iy the chairman, and honoured as only yachtsmen can. honour it. Other toasts included "Our Visitors," "Returned Men." aud ."The Manukau Boys," which were interspersed with musical items.

The chairman, who for once had laid, aside his mayoral robes, aud landed on the beach in a suit of special design, was in his best form, and kept the gathering goJng strong till H p.m. In the course of his remarks Mr. 'Park alluded to the Rood feeling which existed between the yachtsmen of the Waitemata and Manukau, and confidently predicted that in the near future not only would they have visits from Auckland yachtsmen, but they would be able to bring their bonts with them, via the Tamak'i canal, and then go on past Waiuku into the Wai lento River, where they would have nevernl hundred miles of fresh water to cruise on.

The toast of the visitors was responded t« by Mr. lieo. Hodgson, on behalf of the Royal X.Z. Yacht Struadrou; Mr. O. J. Cnllltice. N.Z. Power Boat Association; Mr. \V. A. Wikiuson, North Shore Yacht <'lu-b; Mr. Gco. Stevens, Ponsonuy Cruising Club; Air. A. Deacon. Victoria Cruising Club; and Mr. T. Hoswell, Richmond Cruising Club; representatives beiiJK ultfo present from the Panmure and Avondale flubs. All the speakers highly complimented the Mnnnkau -Olu-b on Its lavish hospitality, and the trouble taken to ensure that every guest had a (rood time. The honour of attending this annual gathering wns keenly appreciated, ami In several instances hud been balloted for. The return visit will be made on April 10, when Auckland yachtsmen would strive to follow the 'Manukan Club's good lend. 2 The ruin next morniug delayed the stai-t a little, but ua it showed signs of clearing about i> o'clock it .was decided to move on to Blowhole Baj, just inside Lhe iiouth Head. Iroiu where a steep truck led to the top of the hill where stood the South Head signal station and lighthouse. lAbout half the jiurty successfully essayed the still climb of two miles to the summit, and were well repaid for their efforts. A splendid pauorainlc view of the tMamikau bar uud surrounding objects of Interest was displayed, the main, features , -being pointed, out by lir., Walter Chiiupfen, the, chief signalman. The bur is always moving, and only recent the south chajinel, which has been used by coasting vessels for many years, has shoaled to aucli an extent that It is no longer safe, and the leading marks on the shore have been removed. Mr. Champion pointed out the spot where Orpheus was -trrecked. also the scene of several minor disasters, and mentioned the fact that the bar now extended out pointed ont a new channel which was iwt ffip froni tlift eoufch. clmnnel, but this was not yet deep enough for navigation. Being low water at the time, the visitors Rot an excellent Ides, of the extent of the shoals whl-ch form the chief drawback to the western harbour and effectually prevent it becoming a great shipping centre, which it undoubtedly would be bnt for their presence, as the earing on a trip to Sydney alone 1s at least a day's steam. Other promlnen-t features In full -view were: Cutter 'Rock, Paratutl, Whatipu, Hula, iPupongn Point, and the conspicuous- monument to the original settlers who landed at •CoTnwnllls from the ship Brilliant lv the early sixties.

After being hospttaWy entertained by Mr. Champion, the party made a quick descent via the sandhills to the beach, where the launches Norma and Aran were waiting to convey them back to Blowhole Bay. Here uuother good repast was -waiting, to which full Justice wae done, the remainder of the afternoon being passed with fishing and sports. About 3 p.m. a start was ina/le for home, and all reached Onehnnga before tf p.m., thoroughly well pleased with their outing, and promising to do their best to entertain the Manukau boys on their visit to the Wnltemata.

The Northcote and Rlrkenhend regajta, held on Saturday last, «ns a great sucei_,'. all the events being well coirtested. a sailing breeze from the north setting in shortly before the stan. The ketch Edna and s.s. Sparrowhawk acted as flagihliis and were well flHed, while Northcote poiut was lined with spectMor*, who had an excellent view of the principal events from start to finish. An incident occurred In the 1-4-footere , race off the tide deflector, several 14-footers reaching the mark at the same time as the yacnt Constance in another race. The bigger boat fulled to give the little fellows nulßdent hch room, and one was forced the wrong side of the happened that for this occasion Constance, which is owned by 'Messrs. Herbert and Hanson, was lent to a Bilfcenhead resident for the rare, and neither of her owners were responsible for this undoubted breacli of the unwritten lawn of the sport. Tills rule, which Is not found In the rule books, Is memorised by the writer In these lines:—

"Bj- courtesy in pusHing nlow, the faster {and larger) should to leeward go."

The Fousouby imd Power Bout Clubs held a combined fixture to ArKlc's Bay <m Sntnrtbe week, iipeedweJl adik-rt another win lv her record, which. If It rould bo correctly compiled from her tlrst season, would certainly be "some record," as out American cousins wiy. A very cnjoyablu sndal ulid dance wus held in Watts' Hull In the evening, the duties of M.U nelue Wfll carried out by Mr. W. J. Ueld. The prize for the lirntcliißK yachts was donated I>y Mrs. Watts.

This bny presented a pretty sight In the evening, over «J boats belu c at anchor. It was intended: to visit the fishing grounds In Tlrl passage next morning, :but unfortunately the wind went into the east mid looked threatening, so that llrnt one and another got away and inaoc for Suwly Buy Just outside lL&ngitoto Beacon, and eventunlly the whole fleet followed, fishing being tried off the reef, but without much suec-css.

A wportlng Incident oc-curred at the «turt of the 22-footera in the i'ousoiiby Club's race. Out of the idx entrants lv this race only three were on the line at uuii-tliyf time, and these three rcquentea Mr. Braund to delay the start until the others arrived, which was done.

The "Squadron" will hold their picnic ami cruise In company next .Kuturday, aud already over 20 boats have iiotllled the hoii. secretary of their Intention to take part. A munruee will be erected at the destination chosen on Saturday morning, prolinbly ICocky Buy, and all who arc uual>le to secure sleeping bertha on board the lioats will be accommodated ashore. Aleais will ulso be provided ashore, itiiU' a concert held in the evening.' Aβ Mils Is the llrst function of thin kind the Squadron hae held for aome 10 or li yeurs, it in heing molced forward to liy niemlicrs, and μ-iven fine weather, its nuccesn Is already assured.

The New Zealand Power Boat Association wil hold a picnic to Kauri l'oint on Saturday next.

The Worth Shore Club will held a general handicap race on Saturday next for the Dunning Cup, also races rar Iβ footers, ami an open rai'e for 14-footer» for Mr. fl. C Harrison's Cup. A special race for Capt. Tom Reran* fine trophy Xor one-design I+fbotera will also be held at the same time if the boots can be jueaeured before the race. — ■--■*.