AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 252, 23 October 1926, Page 27

AQUATICS.

(By SPEEDWELL.)

The fixtures for the coming T season will be decided at" a meeting of the Yacht and Motor Boat Association to be held in the Squadron's rooms on Tuesday next. As this is the annual meeting both old and new delegates usually attend. To enable the business to be gone through in one evening, delegates are reminded that the meeting will start at 7.30 prompt. At a meeting of the association held last Tuesday, the accounts in connection with the last -Sanders Cup contest were presented. There was a small credit balance, but the fact that several clubs had not contributed to the funds in the proportion allotted them caused' some comment, also the fact that one or two clubs had not sent any donation. In view of the fact that the fund was in credit, and that another appeal would shortly require to be made, it was decided to let the matter drop. All the same, the proper representation of Auckland at the annual contest for the cup concerns every yachtsmen with a real love for the sport and the natural desire to see Auckland's representative win if she is good enough, and the expenses should not be confined to three or four clubs.

The Tamaki Yacht Club was accepted as a' fully fledged member of the association, and no doubt delegates will attend future meetings. The question of the affiliation of the Russell Regatta Club was mentioned by a delegate, who stated the club in question was quite willing to do so. The chairman pointed out that an application from the Northcote and Birkenhead Regatta Club had to be declined as the association as at present constituted did not allow for any except a permanently established yacht or motor boat club to become members. It was decided to go into the rules and to see if such other clubs could be admitted by a simple alteration. It was mentioned that possibly Tauranga and Whangarei Regatta <:iubs might also desire to affiliate. The question of alloting the open speed championship for outboard motor boats to the Russell Regatta Club was discussed, but as the club was not affiliated, the association had no jurisdiction in the matter,. It was the general feeling of delegates, however, that the Russell Club would be entitled to style their annual race the "championship of New Zealand," and members agreed to support this course. This event is one of the big attractions of the Russell regatta.' A special cup has been donated for the next race. Four boats were built for the event last year, and four more are to be built this year. A race for this class was added to the Auckland Anniversary Regatta programme, and proved quite a success. The Power Boat Association also.held one race last season. In view of the' really remarkable speeds lately claimed for boats driven with outboard motors in America, and the number of designers who have created special "designs for boats suitable to carry these engines, the sport is one that will, continue to improve both in. number of gpntestants and the speed shown. The boats are very handy as tenders to a large yacht or launch, and are useful around the beaches during the summer hoßdajES.* Their chief advantage is the comparatively small cost and economy of running.

The appeal made by the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club through the clubs affiliated to the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association for donations tt the "Jockey" Breen fund has met with ! generous response. The Akarana Club, to which Mr. Breen belonged in the earlier days, held a dance on Wednesday evening in aid of the funds r when all services were given free. In'addition to this a list was started at the annual meeting, and should result in a substantial sum being forwarded to* the Wellington Club for this deserving case. In spite of the very unfavourable weather prevailing over the lasj three or four week-ends, a number of craft are now afloat and several will take advantage of the holiday on Monday to get in the first cruisfc of the season. The majority of the bigger boats are behind, with their fitting out, the crews having to work outside, and the recommendation made at the Yacht and Motor Boat Associatoin's meeting on Tuesday that the opening of the season be fixed for Saturday, November 20, seems likely to "be adopted: Talking of the : weather, the owner of a yacht was asked this week what colour he bad painted his boat, and he said that it was intended to be white, but the language used by himself and crew had given it a decided blue tint.

The various mooring areas are beginning to fill up, the power boat owners being l^ie ) early birds ' this year. At Mechanics' Bay Luana, Rongo, Matanui (ex San Luis), Atatu, Raema, Miss X and Karamana. are in commission, and others will be launched from the boatsheds this week-end: All the other bays have a fair share already afloat, but the bad weather has retarded painting on the boats at the Squadron's slip, and it will take some keel boat owners all their time to be ready to race by opening day, November 20. Viiking has been burnt off and will have white topsides this year. This boat has now .changed, from black to waite three, times since she was built. Mr. Ernest Davis ,is having her thoroughly refitted throughout and she will look very smart when afloat again.

The new keel yacht for tne Wins tone Bros, is progressing well and Col. Wild will have her ready in time for the Christmas cruise. She will be named

Ngatoa and her sails are being made locally on the Bermudian plan.

The well-known 22-footer Valeria, has been purchased by Mr. Tom McWhirter, of Ponsonby, who will have the help of the veteran skipper, Albie Braund, for sailing master during the coming season, as the Mavis B. is not going down. Valeria was one of tae few mullet boats built by Logan Bros. She was generally scratch in her class, but in the past two or three years has not done much racing. She will now have a thorough overhaul and will be in good order waen she is re-launched from St. Mary's Bay.

A new club, which already promises to become very popular, has been formed in Auckland. It is named the Mercantile Marine Officers' Club, and is open, to membership for all certificated deck and engineer officers of the coastal, intercolonial and overseas vessels. The objects are to provide a place where members and their friends may meet for social intercourse and so promote a closer fraternal feeling between all branches of the Mercantile Marine. Rooms have been secured in Quay Buildings, Quay Street. There is a very fine outlook over the harbour, and they are large and well lighted. The billiard room is 24ft by 17ft, with a social room, two ante rooms and secretary's office. A. full size billiard table with all accessories and a full-toned British piano are already installed. A number of leading citizens and captains of industry in the city have become foundation members, and the club promises to <rrow into a really popular institution. The well-known patron of aquatic sport, Captain William Ross, has been elected president, and Captain Chas. West Is secretary. We wish the new club every success.

The suggestion made in this column shortly after the death of Colin Norris, of Tauranga, that the gold cup, which forms t'ae principal prize in the annual race from Auckland to Tauranga should be re-named the "Colin Norris Memorial Cun" has been favourably received by ttie Tauranga Regatta Club, and was formally adopted at the annual meeting, held last week. This should serve to link our departed friend's name for all time with the ocean race and the subseqxient reeatta which he worked so onersretically to establish and put on a good footing.