YACHTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 126, 30 May 1931, Page 16

YACHTING.

THE BOAT HARBOUR.

NOTES OX CLUB MATTERS.

It is the hope of the Yacht and Motor Boat Association that work on the road to connect with the boat harbour at St. Mary's Bay will be l arted shortly. As it is now, the area enclosed by the outer wall is certainly extensive, but it sadly needs dredging, and the filling so obtained used for a road along the inside of the wall, where, in time, boats could be hauled out and clubhouses and private boat eheds be built on it. A very strong recommendation for this work was carried at a meeting of delegates representing all clubs, held on Monday evening, which has since been forwarded to the City Council and to the Harbour Board. It wae pointed out that the work would give employment to a number of men and provide a certain amount of revenue from hauling fees, etc. The matter has not been finalised so far by the authorities concerned, the question of finance being the trouble. Authority to proceed, with the work under scheme five was suggested. The real need for hauling out areas is felt most acutely by boat owners, some being forced to leave their craft afloat all winter for want of sites. The unanimous expression of opinion by the representatives of 3000 boating men should have weight with both the bodies concerned.

A correspondent asks for the date of building of the clubhouses of the Squadron, Ponsonby, Richmond, Victoria and Manukau Clubs. The Manuka a Yacht Club's building was opened by the president, Mr. Chas. Bagley, on December 9, 1911. It was twice partially destroyed by fire. The Victoria Club first used their premises in the winter of 1915, Mr. A. Swales being commodore. The Poneonby Club's boathouse was formally opened at a smoke concert held there on August 26, 1915, Mr. A. Braund being commodore. The Richmond Club built their boathouse in July, 1913, when Mr. T. L. Thompson was commodore. The "Rov'als" first occupied their present premises in April, 1916. The late Mr. J. L. R. Bloomfield was commodore at that time. Prior to this date, the Squadron had occupied two club rooms m Queen Street. The Xew Zealand Power Boat Association attains its silver anniversary this Tear, and the occasion will be celebrated by a ball to be held in the Peter Pan Cabaret on Wednesday, June 10. The prize night for this club has been fixed for August 20. The outboard division of this club will hold their annual smoker in the clubhouse, Mechanics' Bay, on Saturday, U A. C p"on6onby correspondent asks what year the yacht Speedwell was launched She was built by C. Bailey and launched on December 23, 1900. She won her hrst race at the anniversary regatta of 1901 and also won her race at the next two regattas. Wairere I. was not built until the vear after Speedwell and a vear later. Janet was built by Sutherland Bros, at Domain Street, Devonport about 1903 and later sold to Dunedin, after which they built Waione. Mr. A. Willetts, of Point Chevalier, has sold his well-known 16-footer Mistral to Mr. J. Kydd, of Howick, takin" in part payment Mr. Kydd's 14footer, Desert Gold. Her new owner proposes to race Mistral in the two Tamaki river clube, Otahuhu and Panmure, also the Tamaki. Devonport and Akarana Yacht Clubs. Alf Willetts says he has no delusions about Desert Gold ever being able to come back to her old form, but Speedwell would like to see him build a new Jellicoe class boat, as we badly want something good to replace Avalon for next year's contest at Wellington. It is understood that Wellington has been offered the Cornwell Cup contest for next eeason. The big auxiliary cruiser Arethusa has been purchased by Mr. Hereward Pickmere, of Whangarei, from Mr. Roy Lidgard. She was launched early this week and has gone to fhe northern port, where her new owner will refit her in readiness for his trip to Fiji early in September. Mr. Pickmere is now on the Government survey staff at Suva and intends to use Arethusa for cruising only. The Point Chevalier Sailing Club will hold their prize-giving on Saturday, July 25.