THE EASTER HOLIDAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 91, 17 April 1936, Page 13

THE EASTER HOLIDAYS.

Although Easter set in line with a fresh breeze from the sea which held throughout the four days, rain was pretty continuous in some parts, especially at Coromandel, but Kawau escaped with a few showers. There was a general exodus on Thursday evening, Kawau being the rendezvous for most of the big keelers and motor yachts, although Waiheke, and even Islington Bay held a fair share of the fleet on Thursday night. Mansion House and School House Bays at Kawau were well sheltered in the prevailing easterly weather, and as usual a number of craft did not lift their anchors until ready for the run home, which all hands did in good time. Amongst the yachts at Kawau were Morewa, Prize, Moaua, Kotuku. Tawcra, Ilex, Ariki, Mabaki, Little Jim, Waiomo, Vida, Vectis, Lady Claire, Spendiift, La<jy Edna, Yum Yum, Vigiiant and Rautangi. Next iu popularity were Coromandel and Te Kouma harbours, also well sheltered anil offering smooth water for going ashore, which everybody did at Coromandel, the majority of the crews getting thoroughly wet.

Twenty-one boats started off the King's wharf on Thursday night, some with a reef down, and in spite of the prospect of an all night slog to windward, kept going in good style down to Waiheke, through the "passage" and across the gulf, very few finishing before daylight, but they all enjoyed it and were as keen at the finish as when they started, almost 12 hours before.

The race to Coromandel will be remembered for the keen contest between Celox and Omatere. Although Omatere has been called on to give Celox several minutes start in club races lately, the handicapper put them both on scratch. Celox was away a l'ew lengths ahead of Oinatere, and the two rivals at once got to grips, sailing the same course practically all the way, the 33 miles being lengthened to 50 by the dead slog to windward, with never a lift on one leg or the otner. Down the inside of Waiheke Omatere passed Celox. Rex Eccles, Omatere's owner-skipper, and "Snowy" Harris, who has sailed Celox to victory in this race for the past four years, never let each other out of their sight, both boats getting well ahead of the rest of their class.

For the 11-mile beat across the gulf from Ruthe's Island passage (Rotoroa) to tlie Cow and Calf these two sailed tack for tack, Omatero being a few lengths ahead, but so close that the crews could talk to eacli other most of the way. The two white lights (vertical) which Messrs. Strongman Bros, displayed from their trawler Roa, anchored inside the point off Beeson's Island on the port hand entrance to Coromandel, with the officials aboard, were easily picked up just after passing the blinker light on the Cow, and both skippers were calculating how soon they could go round to starboard to fetch it. Omatere was still a bit ahead and to windward of Celox, aud looked like scooping both the £4 first prize and the "special" for first to finish. Here the skill and experience of "Snowy" Harris came in. Watching his chance he threw round to leeward of Omatere, whose skipper, doubtful if Celox could fetch the line, carried on for a hundred yards longer to make sure. "Snowy" took the chance and by 6kllful sailing put Celox across the line on the one board to win both first and "special" by a margin of 3m ss. "Speedwell" was one of the first to congratulate the plucky and unassuming skipper and his crew (for they all did their share) on their victory, while Rex Eccles and crew, of Omatere, were just as ready to givo theru full credit for their win. The race for keel yachts, although very well entered for, did not result in such a close race, Messrs. Tattersfleld and Mills' Altair winning easily, with Tommy Hills' Queenie, veteran of many a hard race, second, and one of this year's keelers, Messrs. Grimson Bros.' Roiaata third. Most of the starters made Coromandel during the morning, visiting the town on Saturday for the steer riding and the football match In the afternoon. This was a willing and very friendly game, ending in a draw, six points each. The dinner was well attended by enough yachtsmen to make two or three teams, and all enjoyed themselves. As a result of the keen race down a friendly match was arranged between Celox and Omatere from Coromandel wharf to Connell's Bav, Waiheke, for a Tamakl Club burgee, offered by the commodorc of the club. It was to start at noon on Sunday after the local races, but owing to the hard easterly and continuous rain both were washed out.