RAWENE'S HOLIDAY CRUISE. PONSONBY CRUISING CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 10, 12 January 1934, Page 11

RAWENE'S HOLIDAY CRUISE.

PONSONBY CRUISING CLUB.

BAT OF ISLANDS VISITED. HARD WESTERLIES AND SMALL SAILS. The following notes on Mr. Alf. Gifford's cruiee in his A class yacht Rawene are typical of the experiences of nearly all Auckland yachts during the Christmas and New Year holidays. While the weather was inoet unseasonable it did not prevent the majority o'i our larger class of pleasure craft from enjoying their usual cruise to the North, to Tauranga, or the Barrier, and, except for. the loss of the Little Jim and the carrying away of maets and a few sails, no serious trouble was met with by any of our well-found aud well-handled yachte, the class which Rawene undoubtedly belongs to. Rawene left her moorings, off Ponsonby, on Saturday, December 2a, at 2.45 p.m. with a westerly wind, making Kawau for the night. On the 24th she got away at 5 a.m., and with a light northerly wind beat out as far as Cape Rodney, when the v.'ind came away westerly and blew very hard. Rawene made good time up the coast, and off Sail Rock two reefs were taken in the mainsail, and the etayeail lowered. With this reduced canvas Rawene still made good progress, and the anchor was dropped for the night at Tutukaka, the sailing time from Cape Rodney being 6 hours. Christmas Day.—Wind still sou'-west, and blowing harder. Under double-reefed mainsail and staysail Rawene left at S a.m. on her way north. Oif Cape Brett shoals of porpoises were seen, also a big eunfish. between the Cape and Piercy Island, making out to sea. The yacht got a good dilating on the beat up from the cape, and the anchor was dropped in Waipiro Bay at 3.30 p.m., the Kotiri also being in the bay, and the 26-f ooter Spray came in later with her mainsail partly carried away, and showing signs of hard weather. Next day the wind was lighter, and Rawene sailed to Oruakawa Bay. Next day Piahia was visited, in company with the motor yacht Lady Margaret. Yacht Dragged Two Anchors. The crew visited Paihia and Waitangi, after hard going across to Russell, where Mr. Bert Cook came aboard and regaled the crew with some of his whaling stories. The yacht Waitangi arrived from Whangaroa about 7 p.m., and lay alongside Rawene. Rawene's crew again visited Paihia, but it blew so hard that Rawene dragged with two anchors down, and she returned to Oronga Bay. ' The Kotiri dragged her anchors off Russell, but was towed to safety by one of the local launches. December 30.—Aβ it was still blowing hard from the west Rawene got under j way with staysail and trysail only, and was soon bowling along on her way south. She stopped at Waipiro Bay, where the yacht Prize was at anchor. Next day the wind was lighter, and Rawene got away at 9 a.m. on her way down the coast. A number of Russell launches fishing off Cape Brett were passed, and the yacht lay becalmed for a time under Piercy Island, when the wind changed to the north-eftlt. Good time was made down the coast with the spinnaker set, but the wind later died away. Passed a yacht well out to sea making for Russell, which looked like the Rover. The fine weather only lasted until 4 p.m., when it again went into the west and started to blow hard, Rawene making into Whangaruru at 9 p.m. Just before midnight a party of Maoris came off in their boat, playing an accordion and other instruments, and wishing us a happy New Year. Rawene's skipper invited them aboard, and they were given some refreshment, going away well contented. Rawene spent the day at Whangamumu, sailing over to Jamieson's Island, the owner kindly giving the crew a run round the harbour in his motor boat. A good haul of piper w.ae got in the net, and some of the crew went to a Maori dance at night. Wind was southerly next day, and Rawene got away at 8.30 a.m., the wind later going easterly. "One Sunny Day" of the Cruise. The Wide Berths were abeam at 10.30 ajn., and The Gables at 1 .p.m. This was a perfect day, and the crew got their first sunbath of the cruise. The wind later changed to sou'-west, and Rawene beat into Urquhart'e Bay, Whangarei Heads, later crossing over to Marsden Point for the night. January 3.—Left the Heads at 0.30 a.m. Wind sou'-west, and were off Bream Tail at 1 p.m., where anchor was dropped for an hour, and some fine snapper and blue cod were caught. Wind now increased to half a gale, and the mainsail was slightly damaged, so the trysail was set. With this sail the Rawene was bowling along; the squalls blowing the sand from the dunes on shore on to our deck. The Prize was sighted off to leeward. Made Little Omaha Cove for the night, and lay very snug. Next day Rawene sailed* to Kawau, lying in School House Bay with the Prize and Kotuku, where news of the loss of the Little Jim and the Daisy's adventures were first heard of. Next day Rawene went for a sail around Kawau; anchoring in Mansion House Bay alongside Nga Toa, Waitangi, Queenie and others._ From Kawau the Rawene went to Matiatia, and home on Sunday, January 7. CORNWALL CUP. CONTEST STARTS JANUARY 20. The annual contest for the Cornwell Cup by boats of the Takapuna Z class, manned by crews representing northern and southern ports, will commence on the Waitemata to-morrow week, January 20. A crew was expected from Sydney, but word has just been received that the boys were unable to make the trip this year. Auckland is the defender of the cup, having won it at Lyttelton twelve months ago, when the crew met and defeated boys from Wellington, Porirua, Plimmertbn, Lyttelton, Christchurch and Dunedin. The competitors this year will represent Auckland, Max Pellwm (skipper) and 7. Bell-Booth; Manukau, Ralph McLeod (skipper) and Basil Rawlinson. Tauranga, Whangarei, Hawke's Bay and Hamilton will also be represented. The crews will begin to arrive early next week and are to be accommodated on the Takapuna Boating Club's premises and at private homes in the district. A welcome is to be tendered to the visiting crews by his Worship the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. Geo. W. Hutchison. This will take place in the clubhouse next Friday evening, at which all crews will be present. A special committee, with Mr. A. Braund as chairman, has been set up, and they will carry out all arrangements for the accommodation and entertainment of the visiting crews and their delegates. FAST TIME FROM TAURANGA. The well-known cruising yacht Ida, Mr. A. A, Angell, which won third prize in the race to Tauranga, made very good time on her way back, doing the stretch from The Mount to Port Fitzroy, a distance of 115 nautical miles, in 13h 20m. The Ida cleared the inside blinker at The Mount on Friday, December 29, at 12b. 20m p.m., carrying a trysail and staysail only. The northern end of the . Slipper, 36 miles, was passed at 5h 20m p.m., just five hours. Passed Castle Rock (11 miles) et 6h 35m p.m., passed Old Man Rock (10 miles) at 7h 45m p.m., rounded Wellington Head, Port Fitzroy (58 miles) In 40m a.m., December 30. The last leg of 58 miles was done in 5h 55m. a speed of better than 9% knots. Some going for a 45-footer with a trysail set. ' Good time was made by the Janet the day previous from The Mount to Mercury Bay, also under trysail and small jib. Celox, tho only competitor in the race from Tauranga to Mercury Bay, left Tauranga at 9 a.m. on Thursday, December 28, with full sail, but shortly after clearing The Mount, the wind freshened and two reefs were taken in, and later the third reef was put in, and with a staysail the yacht bowled along, stopping for the night at Whangamata, making Mercury' Bay at 10 a.m. on Friday. ,

OLD MEMBER HONOURED. The Ponsonby Cruising Club recently held an informal gathering in honour of Mr. H. R. Arthur, who has liiled the office of treasurer for the past Its years with credit to himself and benefit to the club. Mr, Fred JefEers, commodore, presided, being supported by Mr. A. (Dick) Thompson, president of the club, and liis brothers, Messrs. W. A. and T. L. Thompson, also Messrs. J. McWhirter, vice-commo-dore, It. H. Murphy, T. McKay, W. J. Joint, N. Mathesou, W. J. Wiilcocks, lion, secretary, 11. Kirkham, members of the committee, and others who have taken a prominent part in the welfare of this club. Mr. Jeil'era welcomed the guest of the evening, and mentioned that it was Mr, Arthur's 68th birthday. He had been a member, said Mr. Jeiiers, for 26 years, a trustee since 1912, and honorary treasurer since 1917. It was during the pant four years that Mr. Arthur had done such good work by bringing the club out on the right side in spite of the times. Mr. Jefters asked Mr. A. Thompson to present Mr. Arthur, on behalf of the officers and committee, with a case of pipes and a letter embodying the members thanks and appreciation of his work for the club. Mr. Thompson referred to the past history of the club, of which lie was the first secretary, and said that the esteem in which the club was held and their good financial position was largely due to the efforts of Mr. Arthur, who had directed the club's financial destiny. Mr. J. McWhirter, vice-commodore, and several other members added their tribute to Mr. Arthur's work for the club. When expressing his thanks for their gift and kindly reference to his efforts on behalf of the club, Mr. Arthur made reference to the good feeling existing between all yachtsmen, and instanced the ready response to the call for assistance recently put forward by Mr. Thompson, when the Waione was caught in an awkward position. This was the true sea spirit, and he hoped that it would ever continue. Mr. R. H. (Bob) Murphy was presented with a life member';? certificate and badge by Mr. W. A. Thompson, who mentioned his early connection with the club and the number of boats owned by Mr. Murphy, including Peri, Doris, Mowai, Echo and Waima. Mr. Murphy acknowledged the honour and recounted a number of incidents in the early days of the club. Other toasts were "The Visitors," responded to by Messrs. T. L. Thompson and W. A. Wilkinson; "Our Commodore," acknowledged by Mr. Jeffers; "The President and Flag Officers," responded to by Mr. A. Thompson and Mr. J. McWhirter. ANNIVKRSAKY REGATTA. THE PRIZE MONEY. The prize money for the sailing events on Anniversary Day, on which an entry fee of 5 per cent is charged at time of entry, which has been fixed for Friday next, January 19, comprises:—First-class yachts, first prize Heather Memorial Cup and £14, second £7, third £4; class B, first £9, second £4 10/, third trophy; class C, first £8, second £3, third trophy; class E, first £6, second £2 10/, third £1; class H, first £6 10/ a_nd championship flag, second £2 10/, third trophy; class L, first £7 10/; second ■£3 10/, third trophy; class N, first £5, second £2 10/, third trophy; class M, first £4, second trophy; class V, first £5, second £2 10/, third £1, fourth trophy; class S, first £5, second £2 10/, third £1, fourth trophy; T class, first £4 10/, second £2, third trophy; Y class, first £4 10/, second £2, third 15/, fourth trophy; X. class, first £2 and Ross Cup, second £1, also Lipton Cup for championship; Z class, first £2, second £1, third 10/; Wakateres, first £2, second 10/, third 5/ and trophy for youngest skipper; Tauranga 7-footers, first 15/, second 10/, third 5/ (two races). The power boat programme has not been fixed. Last year the prize money for these events totalled £55. OUTBOARD RACING CI/ÜB. FIXTURE ON PANMURE BASIN. The Auckland Outboard Racing Club will hold its first fixture of the season on the Panmure Basin to-morrow afternoon. Four general handicaps will be decided, the first starting promptly at 3 p.m. There are eleven outboards entered for each race, which is to be run over four laps of the usual course on the Basin, which affords spectators a full view of the competing boats from start to finish. First general handicap, to start at 3 four laps: Cee Hopper, scr; Pug (Thames), 10s; Hell's Bells, 30s; Silver Slipper, 40s; Miss Clevedon (Wairoa), 40s; British Maid 11., lm; Pastime, Nymph, lm 20s; Stingray, 2m 20s; British Maid 1., 2m 40s; Laju, 3m. The placed boats in the first, second and third races will be rehandicapped before the start of the next race. Handicaps given at the start. The officers of the day are:—Starter, Mr. R. Mouatt; judges, Messrs. G. Turton, A. J. Loomb and F. D. Pidgeon; timekeeper, Mr. E. L. Buchanan; clock steward, Mr. E. R. Butler; lap stewards, Messrs. J. Abbott and F. A. Craig. Owners are requested to get their starting times, etc., from the officials prior to each race, as the events will be started on .time. The second race starts at 3.20 p.m., third at 3.40 p.m. and the fourth at 4 p.m. MODEL YACHTING. REGATTA EVENTS. So much interest has been shown in model yacht racing during the past twelve months fthat when the sub-committee, appointed by the Anniversary Regatta Committee to draw up a programme, for regatta day events on Orakei Basin asked for an increase in prize money from £5 to £8 5/, the chairman, Mr. Ernest Davis, said they were welcome to the small increase, which opinion was heartily endorsed by the committee. Mr. Davis also commented on the good work done by the three local clubs in fostering a love for boating in the boys, who he knew from watching them in their races were very keen and quite expert in handling their miniature boats, and would later be recruits to the ranks of the sailing clubs of Auckland. The programme, submitted by the chairman of the committee, Mr. A. R. Bevins, and adopted by the regatta, committee, is as follows:—Race 1, 3ft open championship; race 2, 4ft championship for models under 12% in beam; race 3, 4ft championship for models over 12% in beam; race 4, 3ft and under handicap; race 5, 4ft and over 3ft handicap; race 6, all-comers' open handicap. These events will be sailed over a triangular course. The boys' events number five, for youths under 16, and will be sailed over a straight course. The enior events will be sailed under the rules recently adopted by the Orakei, Manukau and Ponsonby Model Clubs. To get through so big a programme, the first | event will start at 10 a.m. sharp, nomina- j tions to be in hand by 9.30 a.m. For the j convenience of visitors, the Orakei Club • will provide hot water gratis. i BEACON ON EEL ECOK. j ERECTED BY TWO YACHTSMEN. The paragraph in last week's notes about the necessity for a beacon on Eel Rock, at the southern entrance to Covves Bay, Waiheke, on which the motor yacht Duchess ran on New Year's Day, was evidently taken in earnest by two Auckland boating men, Messrs. Harold Mason j (of Freeman's Bay) and William H. Oliver (of Devonport). During this week, while cruising in Mr. Mason's motor boat Aumoe they erected an iron beacon on top of the rock. It is a double disc, painted red, and stands 6ft above high-wnter level. The thanks of all who cruise in the vicinity of Cowes Bay are due to these gentlemen fur their voluntary work.