YACHTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 139, 13 June 1936, Page 23

YACHTING.

SQUADRON'S PRIZE NIGHT.

INTEREST OF THE NAVY.

FIRST REGATTA COMMITTEE

(By SPEEDWELL.)

The commodore or the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Mr. A. E. Gifford, presided over a very large and representative gathering of yachtsmen In the clubrooms last evening on the occasion of the sixty-rourtn annual presentation of prizes. The guests Included Commodore the Hon. E. 11. Drummond, M.y.0., R.N., of H.M.S. Dunedin : Commander J. B. Hall, of H.M.S. Wellington; Commander C. B. Tlnley, of H.M.S. Philomel; Major A. Purvis, military secretary to the Governor-General, Bord Galway; Mr. D. HoWerness, actingsuperintendent of the Auckland Harbour Board; Captain H. H. Sergeant, harbourmaster; Colonel C. White, vice-president of the Officers' Club ; Mr. C. H. T. Palmer, chairman of the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association, and flag officers of most of the local yacht clubs. Among the members: present; were Captain W. Ross, senior life member, and excommodores of the squadron, Messrs. J. H. Frater, N. B. Macky, W. P.--Kndean, M.P., J. B. Johnston and J. W. Frater. Mr. Gifford, who was supported ';by Mr. H. ,T. C. George, vice-commodore, and Mr. M. K. Draffin, rear-conunodore, welcomed Commodore the Hon. E. R. Drummond. the visitors and members, and briefly reviewed the activities of the past season, which, he said, was not a good, one from the weather point of view, but was a splendid one by reason of the number of new boats built and new'men coming into the sport, some from as far inland as the Waikato, who were able to reach Auckland quickly, thanks to the.motor car and Rood roads. If matters continued to improve it was reasonable to think, that even More boats would be built and a greater proportion of Auckland's' Citizens would become sea-minded and join In their sport of yacht racing or cruising in the Hauraki Gulf, which was unsurpassed for its wealth of sheltered bays and harbours. This increase in yachts and yachtsmen would require to be provided for and he' hoped that the Harbour Board would see its ■Way to complete the boat harbour and reserve further mooring areas and shed accommodation so that owners, new ,and old, could be sure of leaving their craft in safety in any weather. The squadron, in common with air other clubs, keenly appreciated the good will and interest displayed by the Navy in yachting. They had placed the naval whalers at the disposal of the various clubs for the Purpose of racing and they were taken tip heartily, a keen contest being held. The Navy helped in many other ways to foster the sport, including the gifts of trophies like the Berthon Barrel and Admiral Blake's trophy for the annual night race to Kawau. By such means the Navy was doing good work in fostering a love of the sea which proved useful in the last war and would serve to keep them ready if another war should come.

The cluVs membership had increased by 47 during the year and more boats were on the register. All of the racing fixtures had been closely contested in spite of adverse weather, the annual week-end at Kawau being one of the best yet held. Mr. Gilford made reference to the generous gift to the Navy by Mr. Ernest Davis of the Viking, and concluded by requesting Commodore Drummond to present the prizes. Prize Winners. The following were the principal winners:—Opening day's race, Rawene 1, Altair 2, Waionc 3; M class, Manu 1, Manene 2, Maroro 3; general handicap, December 14, 1, Little Jim 2, lona 3; M class, Manene 1, Maroro 2, Manu 3 ; February 1, Macky Memorial trophy, Jorangi 1, Itawene 2, Tawera 3; second division. Waiomo 1, Ladye Wilma 2, Victory 3: third division, Kotuku 1, Peri 2; M class, Manu 1, Manene 2, Manoro 3; race to Te Kouma, T. M. Alexander Memorial Cup. Itawene 1, Waltangi 2, Ariki 3; M class, Manene 1, Manu 2. Maroro 3; night race to Kawau, Admiral Blake's trophy, Nga Toa 1, Waione 2, Altair 3; race at Kawau, first* division, Commtf-'

dore Gifford's trophy, Moana 1, Tawcra 2, lorangi 3; second division, the Bertlion Barrel, Badye Wilma 1, Altair 2, Peri 3; Governor-General's Cup, Ariki 3, lorangi 2, Victory 3; second division, John- ; son Cup, Waioiiio : 1, Waione. 2, Altair 3; ihird division, Mr. H. .T. C. George's trophy, Rambler 1. Maliaki 2. Peri 3; M class, Wilson Cup, Manaia 1, Manene 2, Mawliiti 3; cruising race; tirst division, Little Jim 3, Xga Tori Prize 3 ; second division, Altair 1, Gloriana 2, Windwtlrd 3; M class, Mawliiti 1, Manaia 2, Manene 3; final cruising race, Mr. N. B. Macky's trophy, Rawene 1, Altair 2, Moana 3; M class, Maroro 1, Mann 2, Mawhiti 3. Mann 11. (Messrs. Chambqrlin and Goodfellow) won the M class champion flag and a prize presented by Mr. J. 11. Frater. On Behalf of the Navy. Commodore the Hon. E. H. Drummond thanked Mr. .Gifford and members for their kindlv welcome and the pleasure of presenting the prizes. Ho was pleased to learn that the club had been established in 1871. This was only 56 years after the formation of the famous Royal Yacht Squadron of Cowes. The New Zealand Yacht Squadron was granted the prefix "Royal" in 1902. There were only 30 "Royal" clubs in the 'world, 21 of them being in Great, Britain. _ ... . , _ The death of His Majesty King George made it impossible for the Navy to take part in the Auckland Anniversary Regatta, also the squadron's regatta at Kawau, but he hoped to ,be able to do' so next year. The formation of the Naval Sailing Club was helping to awaken a love of sailing in the ~ fleet. He hatl received word from H.M.S. Diomcde that at the fleet regatta at Suez the Diomede's crew won 32 out of 10' races, and in the race for the commodore's cup the Diomede's boats were placed first, second and third. He was very pleased to find such good fellowship existing between yachtsmen and the T\avy in Auckland. The Naval authorities were now recognising the value of yacht clubs and vaclitsmcn throughout the Empire in fostering the sea sense which can only be acquired at sea, not necessarily in large craft. Yachtsmen, said the commodore, could teach the Navy in times of peace, and in war the Navy could teach yachtsmen. If thev had another war he was certain yachtsmen would bo taken into the Navy. Reference was also made by Commodore Drummond to tlie splendid gift by Mr. Ernest Davis of the Viking, which would now fly the White Ensign. The yacht was very suitable for the work of training in seainansliip. They had been discussing the colour in which this fine ship would look her best, nnd they had decided to paint her black, with a gold ribbon. (This was the Viking's colour when she was launched—Speedwell). He had learned to sail', ac- boat when training on the old Britannia, but years of service in the fleet presented few opportunities , to keep in practice.-- 'He -was one of the crew of the schooner Westward in 1030 when they won the .King's. Cup at Cowcs. When distributing the prices, he said, he noticed that Mr. Gifford's Rawene had been very successful, which showed that the olde.r hands could still hold their own with the ■ younger ones. They had _ a _ wonderful cruising ground in the Hauraki Gulf and he advised them tq make the best use of it. The sight on "tlie Waite-mata .last Regatta Day was one of-the finest yachting scenes he had witnessed anywhere. The club s races were also well worth following, and he congratulated the officers and members of the squadron on the way they carried on the club, and concluded by wishing them a good season for 1036-37-Tribute To Kindred Clubs. Mr. H. J. C. George, vice-commodore, when proposing the toast of kindred clubs, said the squadron was always p eased to see representatives from sister clubs■ present. They were all doing good work in keeping alive the true spirit of the. sea. The Dominion was the most far-flung outpost of the British Empire and the yaelit clubs could help if the occasion arose. There were no less than 10 clubs in and around Auckland, said Mr. Georges 13 of which were afliiliated to the Auckland Yacht and Motor- Boat Association. These 13 clubs had 538 yachts and 375 inofor boats on their registers, a "total of 013 pleasure craft, .liost of which competed regularly In the events of the se.-ison. In addition there were, over 250 other pleasure boats not belonging to any club and not registered which were mostly truisers. This made 1150 craft and with the minimum of. 1i.v.0 in each crew, and some had double.this, it 1 gave a total of about 6000' people ' who

were interested In the sport, most of them being afloat eucli week. For the population of Auckland, Mr. George claimed that we had a higher percentage of- boating men than in nny other part of the world. He was glad to learn that the Navy had at last realised the wisdom of fostering the art of sailing and that Admiral Scott Binke, wlio was a keen supporter of yachting when in Auckland, and had helped with the formation of the Naval Sailing Club, was head of the movement in England. He could not help thinking that the close association of Admiral Blake with yachting in Auckland had beven a factor in helping him to realise the benefit to the Navy of men trained in sail. Mr. C. H. T. I'almer, chairman of the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association, responded on behalf of the kindred clnbs. A first-class musical programme was rendered by Messrs. E. Thomas, D. Wratliall and Lieutenant-Commander J. T. Bean, and an orchestra directed by Mr. Harold Baxter.