YACHTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 209, 3 September 1932, Page 15

YACHTING.

MANUKAU YACHT CLUB. EX-CHAMPION WAITERE 11. CLUB NEWS AND NOTES. (By SPEEDWELL.) CO.MIKG EVENTS. September S.—Takapuua Boating Club Annual Meeting. September 14.—I'oint Chevalier Sailing Club Annual Meeting. September 20.—.Richmond Cruising Club Annual Meeting. September ' 20. — Otahuhu Sailing Club Annual Meeting. September 28. —Akarana Yacht Club Annual Meeting. September 29.—Tamaki Yacht Club Annual Meeting. September 30.—Eoyal N.Z. Yacht Squadron Annual Meeting. 41 YEARS' OF YACHTING ACTIVITY. The Manukau Yacht Club last month completed 41 years of continuous service in the interests of the sport on the western harbour. It was formed in August, 1891, mainly through the work of the late Mr. C. K. Jeffs, who was its first secretary-treasurer. The first meeting was held in a small room at the back of the Public Hall, and later in the Fire Brigade building. The officers for the first year were: President, Mr. W. Waterman, and commodore, Mr. Don. Sutherland. Messrs. J. Leahy, D. Brown and T. Sharp were the handicapperij, and Mr. C. K. Jeffs the starter und timekeeper, as well as secretary. The races, of which three were held the first season, were started between the coal wharf and the new wharf, the course being round the 7th buoy and back. The membership was about 40 the first season, and included Messrs. J. A. McLeod, J. Collecutt, N. Brown, W. Catley, P. Farrell,. A. and W. Gnmdy, Arthur, John and James Jeffs, H. Bower, C. Siebert, 1., K. and L. Sutherland, J. Skinner, M. Sims and J. Caven. The earliest boats in tie club were Mr. J. Caveu's Moa, 32ft (their biggest boat), Mr. K. Sutherland's Thistle, Mr. Don Sutherland's Mary (30ft), Mr. F. Wells' Akarana (30ft), Mr. J. Filmer's Nellie, Mr. Mat Sims' Daisy, Mr. W. Catley's Ripple, Mr. T. Sharp's Sally (the last four were 18ft or 20ft open boats), Jeffs brothers' Mabel, and later Myrtle, Mr. T. Farrell's Trixie, Mr. J. Skinner's Mona. Next season a nuniber of boats were bought on the Waitemata and taken over to the Manukau. A regatta was held in 1891, the s.s. Glenelg being flagship. Two crack open boats, the Clytie and May, the first one sailed by Reg. Masefield and the other by Albie Braund, were taken from the Waitemata to compete, and both were! prize-winners. In these days boats were carried free on the railway, provided the crew travelled -with them. Whaleboat racing , was also a-feature at'this regatta, the only one .held, .as the Inew club's activities apparently, filled the bill from 1891 on: . : - ■ • In the next .year, or two the club continued to go ahead, and the boats -were added to by Mr. Don Sutherland's Edna and Anahera, a 35ft /keel yacht, built to his order by Logan Bros. This boat held the championship for many years, and was usually sailed by Jock Collecutt. Belle (C. J. Schnauer), Minnie, Eileen (N. Brown), Ivy (H. and P. Frost),- Trixie (P. Farrell), Elsona (Lodge), Sally, Minnie and Eileen. Later still, Maku Maile (P. Farrell), Mascotte (J. A. McLeod and R. J Roberts), Unknown (C, Siebert), Jessie Poker (E. Morton),,lolanthe, Fedora (Ned Short), Belle (N. Brown), Maibe, Ngaru, Myrtle, Norma, Rainbow and Ngaroma, all owned by the = Jeffs brothers, also the speed boat Flirt. About 1901 the launches made their appearance, the first being a steam job, built and owned by Mr. W. Grundy. The next launch was built by Mr. Mat Sims, and was driven by an oil engine which had been converted from a gas engine by Mr. W. Grundy. Next year Mr. J. A. McLeod had the launch Rukea. Other early launches were Mr. W. Grundy s Mildura and Mr. A. Grundy's Arrow.

The club prospered and took part >in the regattas at Awhitu, and each Christmas there -was a "cruise to Waiuku. _ In December, 1911, the present clubhouse, designed by Mr. J. Park, was built and opened by the president tliat year, Mr, Chas. Bagley. The building has twice been partially destroyed by fire, but is now in first-class order, a number ot improvements, including, the addition of a glassed-in balcony at the front of. the upper floor, having been made this winter. The commodores of the club were Messrs. Don Sutherland, for_the first four or five years, C. Mclntosh, W. Marks, C, Turnbull, jun., J. A. McLeod, Bert Hird, Norm. Wilson, Tom Pardmgton, jun., C. Herbert, V. Young, and A. A. Coates, the present commodore. The presidents, always a live office in this club, have been Messrs. W. Waterman, J. Guun, Chas. Bagley, J. Park M. H Wynyard, J. A. McLeod, T. Pardington, sen., and E. Morton, the present holder of this office, who is also Mayor of Onehunga. Sir Frederic Lang has. been patron tor many years. The most important office, that of secre:tary, with which the office of treasurer was combined for a number of years, has been held by Mesrs. C. K. Jeffs, L. Lyell, G. J. Schuauer, V. Skinner, C. Mclntosh, J. Gilbert, if. Jeffs, C. TurnbuU, sen., A. -Houldsworth, W. Stewart, J. Dane, Norman Wilson and W. JEawlinson, who is secretary now. aor a number of years, Mr. C. A. Osborne has been treasurer. •"■•■'.-.. .«.-:•■ Other early club boats were Manola (exchampion 24-footer of the Waltemata, and built by C. Bailey for W. and S Holder, of Parncll), Heather, owned by W. Mclntosh, and later by Rushbrook brothers, and Ngaroma, owned by K Mears. The club is still a very live one, and is in a sound linancial position, with no debt on the clubhouse. It has taken up the Takapuna class of 12ft 6in boats with a view to encouraging sailing amongst, me younger generation, and its efforts on these lines are meeting with much success. The sporting spirit shown by members of the Manukau Club by their assistance given to the Anniversary Kegatta and n other practical ways, has made them -a general favourite with Waitemata yachtsmen, who wish them continued success. ;

WAKATERE CANOE CLUB. I There was a big attendance -of members of the Wakatere Canoe Club »* ' « le " annual meeting on Thursday. Ihe preei .dent, Mr. J. J&^/^SjK^SSto . .progress u-as being.made with the bui ding of the new 14-foot class by member*,l4 were under construction and two were { finished. Others were being built away from the clubhouse, and he WM.WBW 20 boats would start in then; to be held early in October l«n g#? had been promised for contests bet,veen club members, in addition to which the e was the " Speedwell" Cup, open to all, and several ;>dditional prizes, were expected b>"other clubs whi,h would Dβ open to their members. .The Tamaki Club had given a lead in this way, and as: !t "ThS W C akittr'"o!«b intra* to IoM .» will be long enough to allow the boje to get used to their boats. As a number of owner* of'the new boats are entermg on their first season, a t**%&*s> rule of the road and the chief racmg ules will be necessary, and a well-known jachtina authority has offered to give a talk to the younger member., on these subjects before the season opens. The question of confining the racing to youths has not been decided. No doubt the majority of races will have some age fcmiK. but many will be open.

TAKAPUNA BOATING CLUB. The Takapuna Boating Club will hold their annual meeting in the clubhouse, Bayswater, next Thursday evening. The ladies of the club are holding a "spring time" dance in the clubhouse on Wednesday evening. HAULING-UP FEES. A new member of the Victoria Club asked at the annual meeting what fees were payable for hauling up in the club's area. This elicited the following scale that may be useful to others: Yachts, not exceeding 2Cft, 25/ per annum; from 20ft to 24ft, 35/; from 24ft to 30ft, 45/; over 30ft, £3. Motor boats: Up to 20ft, 35/; 22ft to 26ft, 45/; 26ft to 30ft, 50/; 30ft to 30ft, £3; over 36ft, £4. Locker rents are 30/ per annum, which includes a fire policy coverage up to £12 for each dinghy. Members who for their own convenience pulled their boats up in other areas stated that the above fees were below what they had paid, and they are probably the most reasonable on the harbour. BIG LAUN4H lAWAI BAAIC AS A PLEASURE BOAT. The 54-foot launch lawai, built 21 j'ears ago by the late David Reid, for the late Judge Seth Smith, of Ruesell, has been pnrchased by Messrs. Cooper Bros., of Devonport, and is to be fitted out as a pleasure yacht. The lawai was given to the Defence Department by Judge Smith when the war started in 1914, and she was stationed at North Head. She' was used for all purposes, and when Count Von Luckner made his sensational escape in Major Turner's 36-foot launch from Motuihi in December, 1917, Speedwell had charge of her, and made many trips to outlying pprte and islands, being kept constantly going from half an hour after receiving word of the prisoners' escape until their recapture by H.M.c.s. Iris a fortnight later at the Kermadecs. lawai is a good sea boat, with some weight in her. Her

engine is a 40 h.p. Buffalo, and etill does duty. After the war the boat was sold by the Defence Department, and has been trading ever since, mostly towing shingle punts. lawai is at present on Lane'e slip, where her work-a-day grey paint is being covered by a. yacht-like white. She will be taken to Devonport by her new owners, and receive a thorough overhaul. An inspection, of the old ship yesterday showed her hull and. deck fittings to be in first-clase order. THE EX-CHAMPION WAITERE 11. The 26-footer Waitere 11., which was built and sailed by "Farmer" Willetts, of Stanley Bay, very successfully for a number, 'of years, ie now on the hard at Mill Bay, Onehunga. She has been little used since going across to the western harbour and is in need of an overhaul. It is a pity that some racing enthusiast has not brought this one-time crack back to her home waters. She would make a welcome addition to the keen contests between Starlight, Starloch, Omatere, Spray, and Celox. Many a time Willetts and " his'" darerdevil crew have driven Waitere hard all the way from Auckland to Eussell, then left at midnight, after the local regatta, in another race down the coast to Onerahi, racing again the next day at the Whangarei. regatta. Starlight, with Ned Parker at her-tiller, was always on Waitere's heels. On one occasion, after being ahead of Waitere from Cape Brett to Bream Head, Waitere overhauled Starlight and passed her on the beat u,p Whangarei Har.bour. It was nearly midnight when they entered the Heads, and both passed the judge's boat off Oaerahi shortly after 2 a.m. Waitere won-by only 70 seconds. "Speedwell" had the pleasure of starting the race from the Russell wharf, and 26 hours later timing the two leaders off Onerahi. Ned Parker is still going strong, and competes in all the. races he can get into, but Waitere'e crew are scattered and settled down to- less strenuous pursuits than slogging .-up the Whangarei river at midnight in half a gale of wind, and barely half a dozen lengths ahead of ( a rival as keen as themselves. Having had. a few years' experience sailing the 24-footer Hinemoa, ex Mizpah, nobody can persuade the writer that the ''mullet .boats, * as we term the tnck-etern centre-board class, are not good sea boats. Hard to steer in a breeze they certainly are, but they make real yachtsmen, and it is to be hoped the class will never die out. CLUB NOTES. At the 29th annual meeting of the Victoria Club on Wednesday there were present a number of the early members and office-bearers. Mr. W. Tupp, sen., was elected rear-commodore, a position he held during the club's first year, 1903. Messrs. H. Kestou, Fred Scott, W. T. Matthews, E. Culhane, and Geo. Mobberley, all old members,-were .elected to various positions, and the chairman, Mr. K. Johnson, said the interest shown by these old members was very gratifying, and he attributed it in no small degree to the early history of the club that appeared in this column last Saturday. The system of counting points in all club events to decide the winner of the prize for the best aggregate performance during the season came up for discussion at the Victoria Club's annual meeting. The club's present system is to give seven points for first place, five for second, and three for third, also an extra point for each boat the prize-winners beat home. As Mr. G. Parker said, they had tried out many systems, and there was something lacking in each. Mr. W. T. Matthews said the present system was too cumbersome and did not give sufficient honour to winners. He suggested a straight-out 3-—2 —1 method of points, or by allotting the prize on the number of wins only. Other members contended that a system which gave preference to a boat that was "placed" in a race where a dozen or more boats competed over one that gained a place where only three boats competed has worked along the right lines to find the best all-round (performer. After further discussion the question was referred to the sailing committee. .»:■,'..«,'';, Interest in the Ponsonby Model Club s races continues, and last week-end two very close finishes were witnessed. In the* first general handicap 15 boats from 2ffc Cin to sffc started with handicaps all given at the start, and the finish between Mr.W. T. Matthew's Monarch and Mr. J. Patrick's Avalon was exciting, only one second separating them. Monarch won by half a length. Hono, C. Clare's new boat, and Mr. R.'Murphy's Enterprise were a close third and fourth, with J. Speight's Wairiki only 10s later. T. Ireland's Rewa was 2s behind Wairiki. The second race saw almost as good a finish. Wairiki. a very consistent performer, won by 25? from Hono, Monarch and Enterprise fillittff the next'places, and J. McWhirter's Bessie J. fifth. There will not be any racing i this week.

WORLD'S SPEED BOAT CHAMPIONSHIP. .The first race for the Harmsworth trophy, which carries the speed boat championship of the world, will be held today at Detroit, U.S.A. The competitors are Gar. Wood's Mies America X., the holder of the trophy, and Lord Wakefield's Miss England 111., piloted by Kaye Don, the British challenger. Kaye Don holds the world's record, having beaten Gar Wood's time, made with Miss America IX., but the latest Mies America is an unknown quantity, and great interest is being taken in the race this year. Speeds in excess of 120 m.p.h., or two miles per minute, are 'confidently predicted by Kaye Don. Miss England 111. lias recently been rebuilt. She is 40 feet long and carries two 12-cylinder Rolls Royce engines, developing 5000 h.p. She was built by Thornycrofts, at Henley-on-Thames. It is to be hoped that the race will be carried through without mishap, or anything to mar the sporting spirit of the event, as happened last year .between Miss England 11. and Miss America IX., when Kaye Don was led over the line flte too soon, and was disqualified. The Harmsworth Cup was presented by the late Lord Northcliffe in 1903 for open competition. England, France and America have won the coveted trophy, but for the past 12 years it has been domiciled in America, owing to the good work of the American speed boat ace, Gar Wood, who is quite confident that he can still retain it with his latest 48-cylinder wonder boat Miss America X. DIRECTION OF WIND IN AUCKLAND Some time ago the direction of the wind in Auckland for the past 40 years was published, taken from records supplied by Captain Sergeant, harbourmaster. A correspondent asks again for this information. The wind blew from the north 5.1 per cent, south 7.4 per ce,nt, east 7.4 per

cent, west 22 per cent, nor'-east 13.7 per cent, nor'-west 7.3 per cent, sou'-east 5.8 per cent, and sou'-west . 25.5 per cent. Sou'-west and west winds totalled 48.5 per cent half the time of all winds. Calm 4.8 per cent.