YACHTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 230, 28 September 1935, Page 25

YACHTING.

ROYAL N.Z. SQUADRON. ANNUAL MEETING HELD. FAST SEASON REVIEWED. (By SPEEDWELL) The 04th annual meeting of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, which was held in the clubhouse, Queen Street, last evening, marker! the conclusion of one of the»most successful periods in the history of New Zealand's oldest yachting club. Tn the absence of the commodore, Mr. Justice Northcroft, Mr. IT. .7. C. George, vice commodore, presided over .a very good attendance of members. Apologies were received from Mr Ernest Davis and Mr. \X. I'. Endean, M.l', (an ex-commodore). In reviewing tiie past season, the chairman said it hail been unique in several ropects. It: was the first time in which a commodore of the club had been elevated to the position of a Judge of the Supreme Court. It was the first time in which the vice-commodore had to take senior place. The season had been one of the best both as regards the racing and weather conditions. The continuous light but steady sea breeze which prevailed reminded them of the best pre-war weather. The racing had been exceptionally close, 'thanks to good handicapping. In one of the principal races a head-heat occurred for first place, and other events were only won by smalt margins. The advent or the new A class yacht Little Jim was welcomed and it was pleasing to know that another A class and several I? class yacht,s were in course of building and would compete in the club's events during the coming seasolfT The importation by Lieutenant Kids ton of the Altair, a modern raring type which was now owned by two dir.) members, was also mentioned by Mr George, and also the number of smaller keel yachts of the fast cruiser typo which were becoming so popular. It was tho club's intention to foster cruising races and to this end it has been decided to divide the yachts into two classes. This would ensure better entries and not entail too big- a task on the handicappers. Thanks to Mr. .1. 11. Frater, the committee's desire to foster a small boat class for junior members would Shortly become a fact, he having offered to defray the cost of one of these boats, anil it was anticipated that a number of them would soon be available for junior members. The committee also had in mind shed accommodation on the waterfront for these craft and for their own dinghies and gear. This would be provided and in time might lead to something more being done in this direction. The Lipton Cup.

Mr. George referred to the fact that for the first time the club bad been represented in the annual contest for the Lipton Cup. The club's nominee, Mr. Chas. Collings' Tamariki, won the race. He felt suro that it would not be the last occasion on which the club would compete. It had also been decided to race the club's M class under both a handicap system and the present championship method. The inter-club race for naval whalers was also inaugurated last season, the club's crew putting up a good light and gaining a close second. Another of these events would be willed to-morrow and was sure to be followed with interest. The interest taken In the sport by the officers of the Navy had been shown in many ways, said \lr. George. They had joined in their races and their thanks were tendered for their hearty support.

Thanks to the efforts of their pastpatron, Lortl Bledisloc, the squadron had received a line picture of the yacht Britannia, autographed by Ills Majesty the King. Mr. George concluded by thanking the officers and committee for their loyal support during the past year, ami moved the adoption of the annual report which had been circulated to members.

Mr. M. K. Draflin. vice-commodore, in seconding the adoption of the report and balance sheet, expressed the committee's appreciation of the way in which Mr. George had conducted the club in the absence of Mr. Northcroft. The statement of receipts and expenditure showed all funds in credit and a satisfactory balitilce on the year's work. The sum of £00 was recommended to he spent on renovations 'by the incoming committee. The club's membership was 453, 40 new members having joined during the year. Election of Officers. The following officers were elected for the coming season : —Patron, His Excellency the Governor-General Viscount Galwav, K.C.M.G.; commodore, Mr. A. E. Gilford (yacht Rawene) ; vice-conimodoro Mr. 11. J. C. George (yacht Victory) ; rearcommodore, Mr. M. Iv. Draffin (yacht Kotukii) ; hon. secretary, Mr. W. J. Illcks; general committee, Messrs. A. G. Ensell, R. H. Maekay, G. H. Metcalfe. N. 11. Neweomb, G. S. Relii. TV. .f. Reid, < . Richardson, S. Tewsley, W. S, Wilson and G. F. Wilson ; hon. auditors. Messrs. A. M. Maekay and J. F. Hollinrake; hon. treasurers, Messrs. C. T. Trevltliick and A. S. Miller.

NEW BOATS AND OWNERS. An addition to the record number o£ sixteen new yachts, all of the keeler class, in course of construction for the coining season, lias been made dur:ng the week, an order being placed locally for a small cruiser from the design of a British naval architect.

Another feature of the coming season is tho number of boats which have changed hands during the past month. This week Mr. J. McLean, formerly of Wellington, who purchased tho well-known yawl liestlesa about eleven years ago, sailing her to Wellington and two years ago bringing her back to Auckland, sold her to Mr. 'JL\ G. Bunting, of Auckland. Her new owner intends to moor the j'aclit in Mechanics' Bay and will make extensive cruises to the north and Tuurunga during the season. He may later make a voyage to the Pacific Islands and back. The Restless was built in 1921 by Messrs. Tercel Bros., of Ponsonby, and won a number of cruising races, including the ocean race to Tauranga in 1922.

Other yacht 3 which have found new owners are reported by Mr. Les. Matthews as follows.: Alexa, C class keel yacht, sold by Mr. A. M. Doull to Messrs. A. R. Stephenson, E. Pearee and J. Danks, of Devonport. Alexa was built about oU years ago by the late Mr. T. Lo H liquet, of Devonport, for Mr. Ernest Payne, then of the Thames and now in Auckland. The IS-footer Valspar owned by Mr. H. Shepherd, of Onehunga, is now owned by Mr. J. Vegus, of St. Helier's Bay. The 33ft launch Kopnrilli has been sold by Mr. L. Harper, of Rcinueru, to Mr. L. J. iuissell. The Y class Sea Breeze lias been purchased by Mr. W. 11. Colling*, of Hamilton. Tlie E class keel yacht AVaiot'am has been purchased by Ml*. 11. Erickson, of I'onsonby. Iler new owner lias graduated from model yachts, of which he has been a keen follower for several years, lae 38ft launch lerana owned by Mr. C. D. Sellers, of Ponsonby, lias Ueen purchased by Mr. W. .Toll, of Auckland, formerly owner of the launch Dorothy. The lorana was built by Leon Wurne, of Ponsonby, in 11)24. The 35ft launch Marl in, of Russell, built bv Mr. Leon Warne, lias been purchased by Messrs G. I'. Robertson and E. T. Brown, of Remuera. She is now being fitted out by lier new owners as a very comfortable cruiser.

The following boats, are said by Mr. R. Donovan to have found new owners this

season: The 82ft keel yacht Janet is, now owned by Mr. J. 11. Curd, of Auckland and la to of Pukekohe. The 18-footer V class Marunui is now owned b.y Mr. Paul, of lierne Bay. Mr. ,T. It. Gardiner has sold his "oft launch Atiki to Mrs. B. K. Cooke, or Shortland Flats. Mr. Mitchell lias sold his 10-footer (S class) Scimitar to Mr. K. Aimer, of Remuera. Mr. B. Lane lias Hold the launch Patricia to Mr. P. Waller. Mr. h. Rolfe has sold his 43ft launch Xancibel to Mr. Herring, of Ponsonby. Messrs. I,inco In. Astiey and Fowler have bought the 22-footer Irene lately owned by Mr. Frr-1 Norris, of Devonport, who has purchased the 30ft keel yacht Daisy. This yacht was built about 40 years ago by C. Bailey for Mr. William Bind, of Devonport, who owned her for 25 years. She is built on the diagonal principle with three skins and five longitudinal stringers, and is as sound and strong almost ns when she was launched a Aveek or ?>o later than the Viking by the same builder Mr. Arthur Robb. of Devonport, lias sold lus Star class yacht Ola IV to Mr. E. Murray, of Epsom.

Mr. M. Grayson lins sold his .'loft keel yacht Windward to Messrs. 11. Patterson, }>. Sinclair Brown and G. Brown, oi Uennicra. She will be launched on Wedno°da\\ being one of the first ol the fleet to "go' afloat this season.

annual meetings. September 28.—Herne Bay Sailing Club, October 1.— Ponsonby Model laclit Liuo,