AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 142, 17 June 1922, Page 18

AQUATICS.

ißy SPEEDWELL.) Judging by the large attendance at the prize nights, and the interest shown in the doings of the "Royals" and the Victoria Clubs by many of our leading citizens, the sport of yachting bids fair to become more popular next season than over. 15oth our worthy Mayor, at the Victoria Club's social, and Commodore J. B. Johnston at the "Royals," stressed tho fact that tho cruising ground right nt. our door in the Hauraki Gulf was second to none in the world. While our pleasure fleet at present was a large one, both speakers expected it would easily bo doubled or trebled within the next ten years. Parents who encouraged a love of boats and the ways of the sea in their sons and daughters wciuld have no reason to regret it, as it, was tbe cleanest and healthiest pastime possible, tending to makp its devotees self-reliant and fearless, and fitting thorn to play their part in the defence of their native land if ihe call should come again. Mr. Johnston did not forget, to mention that greater facilities would be necessary for our ever-growing fleet, the chief one heing a boat harbour, and he <-ioi homo a sly dig at Mr. Mackenzie, the chairman of the Harbour Board, when he said that the public, would line the wharves to see the contest for the. Sanders Cup in February next, and the boat harbour would also be quite invisible.

Mr. Mackenzie, who presented the Harbour Board's Jubilee Cup to the owner of Victory, the first to win it, made the suggestion that in future this cup should be known as tlie Heather Cup in memory of the Board's late chairman. Mr. H. T>. Heather, who first suggested the idea of presenting a cup for competition in the first\class yacht race, and who personally presented a miniature of the cup which became the property of the winner. Mr. Mackenzie a!,so promised to donate the miniature cup for the next race.

The Tauraiiga Regatta Club's Gold Cup. which was also presented at the

I "Royals social by Mr. Mackenzie, was much admired, and Mr. McWilliatn was congratulated on winning outright the gold miniature. This cup was presented

for an annual ocean race from Auckland to Tauranga, a distance of 130 miles, as an additional inducement for yachts to visit Tauranga on their regatta day, which is the day after Boxing Day. The Regatta Club, which is quite distinct from the Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club, has now held two regattas, the prize-list of the last one totalling over £220, besides the Gold Cup and its "dinchy," as Colin Norris puts it. To show a credit balance after this expenditure is very creditable, and speaks well for the success of future regattas, especially when we remember that the rain from daylight till after 10 o'clock on Regatta Day spoilt the attendance. 1 lie harbour is ideal for rowing, sailing, and launch events, and there is no Teason why the fixture should not become one of the most popular in New Zealand. Some amusement was caused by the remarks of Mr. G. U. George when acknowledging the Macky Memorial Cup and the Harbour Board's Cup on Friday last. He said that since Lord Jellieoe had taken up the 14ft class the harbour was so full of them that it was difficult to get about in a large boat without running Into one of them. Now that the class was firmly established the speaker said he hoped his Excellency would come up to his expectations and go ill for a six-metre boat or at least something larger than a 14-footcr, in which he couki take part in the cruising events. He concluded by offering his Excellency the tiller of Victory in the next race to Tauranga. His Excellency took the matter in good part, and said that if Lady Jellieoe would come up to his expectations and present him with a bigger boat on his next birthday he would have pleasure in racing to Tauranga, and hoped he would beat Victory with Iron Duke 11.

As Lord Jellieoe has now entered so fully into our sport, it would give it a great lift if he did go ill for a boat like Rainbow, for instance. This is one ot the very few yachts which cannot be bought for love or money, tout there are others to be had. It is not too late to build for next season, but there crops up tbe question of what class to build to. If tbe Royal Yacht Clubs of Australasia decide on the 21-foot restricted centreboard class, now becoming very popular in Sydney, as suitable for races for the Tasman Cup. we may yet see Lord Jellieoe set this clasts going over here, as Lord Forster, Governor-General of Australia, has done in Sydney. These boats arc very good as far as they go. but to the writer's mind a mora suitable typo would be a keel boat about the size ot the old 30-footers. If the Royals would commission Mr. Arch. Logan or Glady Bailey to design a fooat aibout 'the size we feel sure it would be very popular, and might lead to a revival of the building of wholesome, fast keel yachts which are 'becoming fewer each season, and unless something like this is done to revive the class it bids fair to become 'extinct, which is a great pity, for there tis no class of boat at once so suitaWe for a good race or a cruise up North (or to Tauranga) with a party of five or six. The Squadron is our luost influential club, and on the subscriptien of three guineas should be our wealthiest, so that the cost of a suitable design would not be felt by it. The club's position in every wa*y fits it to take the lead in this matter which other clubs would re?idilv fall into line with. -

The spring tides of last week was taken every advantage of by owners to haul out both on the lieach and elsewhere. At the Victoria Club's area. Ngarena. Marcella, Quecnie, nnd several smaller boats can» up. while Ilex. Rona, Heartsease, Speedwell, and Lady Joan are up at C. Bailey's yard, Yaldora. being safehs towed away on Henderson's slip. At Mechanics' Bay, Luana, Virginia, and Winsome were hauled into their sheds on Sunday; while the beach at Judge's Bay is about full.

The foreshore at Devonport is worth a visit by yachtsmen. Near the old ferry slip can be seen Rainbow, lorangi. Ngatira. Constance, White Wings, Aore°re, Ladyo AVilma, Little Jim, Gloriana, Xiobe, Valrosa, Caprera, and Venus. In Shoal Bay are Waitere. Cora, Malua, Kukiri. and Mascotte.

Mr. Leon Warne launched a new boat last week for Mr. 0. R. Newman, of Russell. .She is 42ft by 12ft by 3ft 'fiin, fitted with a 40-h.p. Twigg engine. She will bo used in tho passenger and tourist trade at her horese port. On her official trial trip on Tuesday she maintained a speed of 9j. knots, and left for Russell on \A ednesdav.

The McLeod brothers, of Bayswater, have almost completed a fine "cruising launch for their own use. She is from a design by Glady Bailey, aud measures 36tt overall, with Oft beam and 3ft draught, and carries lift headroom well forward.

The recent cases of theft from launches have been brought, home very skilfully trom very small clues by our detective force, who deserve the thanks of all boating men for their efforts to suppress this form of crime. Boats are naturally more at the mercy of unprincipled men than any other class of property as owners seldom visit them during the woe_, and it is very satisfactory to learn that "early all the articles taken rom at least two of our pleasure launches-Have been recovered in good order. The case of pilfering from a settler is a glaring one, and surely calls or .some action by the govern mo-" body the \acht and Motor Boat Association' to vindicate the good name of the 99 per cent ot our boating men, who look down on such actions with scorn The annual social and presentation of prizes oi the Point Chevalier Sailing p;biic , H S l, held^, , the P ° int C "" a,i « Public Hall on Wednesday evening Air I. Dyson commodore of the club, pren ',7ro* a T, *? ? u PP ort «l by the club D.vis * Ti 0 "- C ' ,T ' Parr and Mr ' Daus. (here was a big atendanco „f members and lady friends, the visitors including representatives from the North N>ore, \ ,ctona and Ponsonbv Clubs Ihe prizes, which were both useful and ornamental. wer e distributed by Hon C J. Parr, who congratulated the club on its continued success, and promised his help in the matter of a club house site on he beach. The principal prize, the Lupton tup, was won by Joan with 1,. points, other boats to gain places were Miro Betty. Sea Imp, Sea Elf and Dorothy, 4 places each. Sea Girl 3. Forest Gold. Sea Spook, Sea Shell. Sea Hawk and Commune 1 each. After the priZ es were distributed supper was partaken ot and dancing indulge! in till st late hour Mr. Fn.est Davis, after congratulating the officers on their successful season presented the club with a handsome cup for next season's events, to be won outright. .Mr. T. 1.. Thompson also congratulated the club on its success and on behalf of the visitors thanked' the club for a pleasant evening. The entries for last season totalled S2. and much of the club's success is due to the energetic hon. secretary. Mr. \\". G. Camp.

Teh Burns Cup. which Lord Jellieoe has now won twice in succession with Iron Duke, does not become his Lordships property, as the conditions laid down by the donor make it a challenge cup for all time.