AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 206, 28 August 1920, Page 18

AQUATICS.

(By SPEEDWELL.)

In 6pite of the threatened shortage and evcr-inereasin_ price of benzine there are a great many launches being built in the local yards. The trend is for faster and better boats all round, while at least two additions will be made to our express cruisers, of which type three or four were built last season. Tlie latest order is from Mr. Alfred Court, who ii having a 35-fooler built on modern lines, which will be fitted with a ,6-eylinder 120-150 h.p. Van Blcrck. ngine. She will he well finished below deck, her engines being aft, with a long cabin for'ard, and with this power she should be about the fastest cruiser in Auckland- The work bus been entrusted to Collings and Bell, who expect to have her ready by December 1.

Another boat has been ordered by Mr. R. L. Stewart, of Ponsonby, from Baitey and Lowe, of Northcote. She is to be 40ft and have a moderate power, and Will be more of the cruiser type. No loss than seven 35-footers are on order, while tho number of smaller boats is still greater, several builders being booked up for nine months ahead.

Jt is not generally known that alter the end of tbijs iuq_.li it will be necessary for boat guilders to obtain a permit to get timber, and there may be some trouble in persuading the power- s--that-be to grant a permit for a purely pleasure craft. Possibly this may account for the large number of orders which have been booked 'by local linns in the past few weeks. We have heard it stated on good authority that it will be difficult to get timber to build even a 14-footer, the law 'being that anything oyer £30 in value requires a permitWork in hand or ordered before Wednesday next is exempt from this drastic restriction, and any of our readers who may have .planned a new boat should decide the matter and place a definite order at once. The object of this legislation is to conserve the supply of timber and concentrate on house building. Ot course, permits may be obtained, but it means more work and extra expense for builders, and may have the effect of restricting, for a time at least, the output of new boats. One certain effect will he to appreciably increase tbe value of our present boats, and it is good advice to hold on to what you have in the boat line.

Messrs. Pavitt Bros, and Vcrran, ot Bayswater, have purchased a 33ft by Sit cruiser, which will be ready for the water by Christmas. The work of finishing the hull is being done by her owners.

'Mr. A. Schmitt has sold his 30-foot auxiliary yacht Curlew to a resident ot Weymouth, and she was taken to the Manukau last week. This boat was built by Hare Bros., of Te Kopuru.

The rest of the Northcote boats are well forward. The 26-footer Celox. whose new owner i? 'Mr. Wilson, of Devonport' has been painted a pale green, and looks very smart. Next to her is the 22-footer Marie, now owned by Mr. V. Lidgard. She will have a new suit of sails, and should uphold the reputation she won last season. Messrs. ('. Mincher and A. Clark are getting the 26-footer f.arlocli into commission after her spell ashore of three years. A fixed cabin-top lias been built on and other improvements made to her. Messrs. Georges' Victory is nearly ready for launching, and only awaits a high spring tide to float her out of her very snug quarters. Mr. Herring's Iris is well forward, and will bo down in good time. Mr. R. Lidgard has sold the 14-footer Rover to Mr. Harrison, of Cox's Creek, and is building a one-design 14-footer for 'Mr. P. Robl . as well as one for himself. This makes one extra to those named last week.

Messrs. Kirkland and Ross have sold their 35-foot launch Hinemoa to Mr. J. Howe, of Onehunga. Mr. S. Granros has sold his 20-footer Cygnet to a resident of Kawhia. who will use her as a runabout. This boat has a 35 h.p. car-type engine, and can do 19 knots.

Mr. H. Bach's new cruiser is now completed at Lane's yard, and will be put afloat next week. This boat is 32ft by 7ft 6in. and has a 16-20 h.p. Buffalo engine. Her lines are an improvement on the famous Scripps 111., and she should look very neat on the water. She has been named Renown. Other work at this yard includes extensive alterations to Maroro, Wharekawa, Mapu, and May. This latter boat is better known as Rival, which was built by the firm four years ago. and when fitted with Scripps' engine and temporary planes, did 22.2 knots. A 14-foot sailing boat has just been completed to the order of Mr. R. Fisher, and is ready for delivery.

While the sailing boats being'built for this season, with the exception of the _*o schooners, will be mainly confined to 14-footers, we hear of a 20-footer nearly completed by an amateur builder. This boat is from the design of a wellknown builder, and should help to instil fresh life into this class, which has fallen off a lot lately.

The Mnnukau Yacht Ciub snslained the loss of £36 recently. This amount was drawn from the bink to repay th-3 last of the clubhouse debentures, and an official of the club who was taking it down to the meeting was knock?.; down and partially stunned, it which condition he was found by some of the committee. The £36 had vinishe.. and in the meantime the debenture holders will have to wait a bit longer.

AUCKLAND YACHT AXD MOTOR BOAT ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of this association was hold on Monday evening in the Ferry Buildings, Mr."E. J. Kelly presiding. Delegates representing the following clubs were. present:—Royal X.Z. Yacht Squadron. Manuknu Yacht Club, North Shore Yacht Club, Ponsonbv Cruising Club, N.Z. Power Boat Association, and Victoria Cruising Club. The annual report stated t;hat the meetings during the past year had been well attended and several matters of importance to the sport were carried out successfully. The outstanding function was the aquatic display given in honour of H.R.11. the Prince of Wales, which proved to be the most unique and successful one ever held on the Waitemata. The annual visit to the Manukau Harbour again gave great pleasure to the delegates from Auckland, who were able to attend, and it was hoped the return vist was equally enjoyed by the Manukau Club members. The 14-foot onedesign class received considerable attention from the association, new rules having been adopted and printed. There is every prospect of quite a number of new boats being built to the class, and some interesting racing is promised. The balance sheet showed a credit of £ 7 7/8.

The election of officers resulted as follows:—Chairman. Mr. E. J. Kelly; lion, secretary, Mr. W. I"). Ross; lion, treasurer. Mr. W. Wilson: lion, solicitor. Mr. J. Alexander; hon. auditor, Mr. J. W. Frater. The position of vica-chair-

man was held over t',ll next meeting pending the election of the nsw dele j gates- ... I

Mr. IW. D. Roes _was voted £5 in appreciation of his services during the past year. The next meeting was fixed for October IS, when the fixt ires for the coming season would be decide;.