AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 160, 8 July 1922, Page 18

AQUATICS.

(By SPEEDWELL-.) Dunedin yachtsmen are much perturbed about the tightening up of the restrictions of the 14-fo6t one-design class recently decided on by the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association. A speaker at the annual prize night of the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Club last week, admitted that last season had been a very good one, chiefly due to the interest in the Sanders Cup contests, and deplored the fact that owing to the action of the Auckland body future contests for this cup were under a cloud. He considered it a mistake to limit or restrict the class, and in any case thespeaker thought a certain time should be allowed to elapse before making strictly one-design class. This is tJjecrux of the whole matter, and just where the two centres differ. As the originator of the class, "Speed-well's" sole aim was to form a one-design class so that there should be so little between the merits of the boats that the final test of supremacy would always be live seamanship and skill of skipper and crew. We claim that this is still the ai'ii of the class, and if variations aro allowed in the design, this object will be defeated, and the class revert to a trial of skill betweon boat-buiklers of each province. !n itself this latter is a desirable state of things, but it was never intended to apply to this class. The majority of our local boats strictly conform vto the present plans. Desert Gold, the first boat built professionally for thj over five years ago, being fully up to all the requirements now.

While Auckland does not wish to take an arbitrary attitude in this matter, yet we would ipoint out that the local Yacht and Afotor Boat Assaniatiun in the flrst place were asked to adopt t'<e class, together with the plans and restrictions already drawn up for it, and having agreed to do so, cannot now recede from that position, even if there waa any inclination to do so, which there Is not. As before stated, the plans havo uot been altered in any way, but fautts which have developed with several seasons' trial have been more rigidly guarded against, and a better system devised of measuring the hull, etc-"., and so ensuring the uniformity of hull, spars and sails. The only real addition to the plans is six inches added to the rudder, which was done in accordance with Dunedin's wish.

Our Divnedin friends say that a boat built strictly to the plans will be slower. This is only a surmise, as so far the honours between the two centres (and types) are even. They also say that it would be impossible to build strictly to the plans, as a Boat might vary enough to be disqualified owing to a bump in transit or the variation in temperature. This is another misapprehension, as no measurers would put a boat out for a trifling fault of a fraction of an inch, but when it comes to the tuck being four inches too small, and matters like this, it is not fair to the owner who builds strictly to the class to pass it. As to the matter of tho Auckland Association taking the stand that they aro alone responsible for the conditions governing the Sanders Cup, this position again is practically forced on them by. the wording of the letter from the donors of the cup, Messrs. Walker and Hall This letter states: "This cup is to be the property of the Auckland Yacht and -Motor Boat Association, and to be sailed for under the rules and reflations drawn up by that association. The races are to be for the U-foot onedesign sailing boat. Challenges may be accepted through any yacht club in New Zealand or Australia, the cup to be taken into the custody of the club winning it, to bo retained for one year jwhen it shall again be sailed for or the cup returned to the Auckland Association." This "deed of gift" dearly sets out the class for which it was "iven and we think the Auckland Association is within its rights in deciding, politely I but firmly, to strictly adhere to the rules lof the class in future contests. We sincerely hope our Southern friends will see it in the same light and decide to have another try in February, ]j>23 when we can promise them a fair field and no favour, and a good time generally. All such matters as number of races, courses, time of starting and m-any other matters will certainly be in the hands of a committee formed of an equal number of representatives from each province interested, as in both past cefctests. AVhile possibly several centres may hold aloof, yet a contest is sure to eventuate, as other centres have sent for the plans with this intention, but we hope to see Heather (or a new edition of her) and Murihiku up in Auckland again. The few inches variance in the latter.* tuck might be added in the meantime.

\\ hilc our readers may think this class has undue prominence vet it must

be admitted that it lie* done a lot of good for the sport and caused many to take it up actively who otherwise might have been lost to it. The interest taken in the next contest promisee to be even greater, and now is the time to settle all questions in dispute to allow time to build for the coining season as it , ! would be a thousand pities to sec the ' cup contest die out ufter such an auspicious beginning. Older yachtsmen will hear with regret of tho death of Mr. Arthur Hewson, J who %ras one of the founders and the first secretary of the Ponsonby Cruisjing Club. 'It was mainly due to itho late Mr. Heweon'e efforts that :'thi3~club received the very handsome ! cup from Sir Thomas Lipton. Mr. jHewson, who first proposed Sir Thomas ac a vice-president, when writing each year, gave a description of the club races and a few remarks about the sport in Auckland generally, and ac some return for this, Sir Thomas 3ent the cup along. In the accompaning letter the donor said: "It occurred .to mc that a cup given for competition amongst Auckland yachtsmen would prove a stimulant and encouragement to yacht racing in New Zealand waters, and as you have been good enough to elect mc vice-president of your club it naturally occurred to mc that the Ponsonby Cruising Club was the right one to which the cup should be given. I accordingly arranged for a special design which would be typical of New Zealand and also embody the burgee of your club. I leave tho conditions to your committee, the only one I would suggest being that it should be a challenge cup for annual competition and be open as far ac possible to New Zealand yachtsmen generally." .This handsome trophy the club finally decided to give for annual competition in the 22-foot mullet boat class ac a challenge race between clubs. It hae been won for the first time by Valeria, representing the Victoria Club, and wae on view at the Ponsonby Club's annual social in the Belgium Street Hall last evening, being greatly admired. At the Takapuna, Boating Club's Social, held in the Foresters' Hall recently, the opportunity wae taken to make a presentation to Commodore and Mrs. Bach, who are leaving for the Thames. Mr. Bach has been very active in the interests of the Takapuca Club and ite predecessor, the Bayewater Club, and will be greatly missed next season. Perhaps he will now join forces with Mr. Ernie Payne and form a boating club at quartzopolis. Mr. Bach won the points cup for the Takapuna onedesign class with Kitty, scoring 20 points; Winsome was Eecond with 15, and Tatariki third with 9 points. If he takes Kitty to the Thames it might induce the boys to build them, as ifiey would be very handy for a run up the river; and with their plates up, could come home over the flats at half-tide. „ The majority of our pleasure fleet are now in their winter quarters and some of the early birds have already made a start on their craft. A gentle reminder "to owners of launches to drain the carburettor and fuel tanks might not be amiss, while the plug should be knocked out -of the bilge. This is a good time to put in hand any overhaul of the power plant or alterations to the boat herself ac the builders are not too busy to attend to it now and can make a better job than if asked to rush it through a week or two before the season is on us. Mr. Eric Paton, of Kohimarama has sold his 22-foot keel yacht Lydia to Mr. L. Wilson, a new arrival from Wellington. Her new owner intends to compete in the events of the North Shore Club, which caters for thin class. As an instance of how eaeily a fast launch covers distance, it may be mentioned that one of our fastest and most recently built hire launches was engaged by a photographer to go out t9 the stranded Rona. She left shortly after 9 ajn., and wae returning in the afternoon through the Tiri passage, when Mr. A. H. Court's fast launch Piakea passed on her way out to the Rona. Piakea also bad a photographer aboard, and her party not only took photos from the water, but landed both ion the ship and also the rock before coming home. Piakea then got under weigh and pulled into one side of the man-o'-war steps at exactly the same time ac the launch, which she passed at Tiri. From time to time we hear of the great interest taken in model yacht racing- at Mahurangi Heads, where they have a properly constituted model yacht club. Mr. W. Darrow is the head of the club, and Mr. H. Duke the energetic secretary. Mr. Duke has just completed a model 36 inches overall, 7 inches beam, and 9 inches draught, which is a very creditable piece of workmanship. If all the models are built on these lines we can readily understand the enthusiasm of the Mahurangi boys. The New Zealand Power Boat Association held a very enjoyable social in the club pavilion on Wednesday, the attendance being the be3t so far this season.

The eastern tide deflector, ■α-hich the Harbour Board ie building off Campbell's point is now well out on its final leg of 920 feet in a nor-westerly direction, and is providing good shelter from the heavy east and nor'-eaetere of which we have had a number this season. By the will of Mr. C. E. Horton, who died recently in London, the Royal Jfew Zealand Yacht Squadron is to receive the sum of f 100. This is to provide a £20 prize for five years for a general handicap for the squadron's first-class yachts. The late Mr. Horton was the original owner of Ariki. Ths Ponsonby Cruising Club's prize night and social was held in tne Masonic Hall, Belgium Street, last evening. The president, Mr. W. J. Jagga, presided over a full attendance of members and their lady friends. His Worship the Mayor, ' Mr. J. H. Gunson, distributed 'the prizes, which were both numerous and valuable. In addition to trophies, £152 </ was distributed in cash. The Lipton Cup was greatly admired. Waitere won the club aggregate prize, and Maybelle the "booby." Countess won"the launch aggregate prize, while Rona won the aggregate for the small classes with Joan second. Supper was served about l<) oclock. after which dancin"- was inI dujged in till the early hours. The following is a summan- of the Koyal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's! winners for the past season:-Opening cruißing rae«: yacht?. Moann 1: launches, Kathryn R. 1 ; one d( . sign \ class: Joan 1, Idler 2. Betty 3. Decem-! jber l< harbour race: yachts. Victor- I,' Ida 2, Moana 3; one design. Xyria 1, Kona 2, Betty 3. January 28, one design: Rona 1, Idler 2, JoaA 3. Maekv Memonu.: Cup: Victory 1, Moana 2, Ariki 3; one design, Rona 1. Joan 2, ivyra 3: general handicap, Scout 1, Little Jim 2, YVaione 3 : oe»an race, I Moana 1. Heartease 2. Scout 3- or.c design, Rona 1, Kewpio 2. Idler 3: Hardie Trophy, Scout 1. Waione 2 Moana 3: one design, Rangi 1, Joan 2; : final cruising r ate , Scout 1, Moana 2, j Waione 3. :