REGATTAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 141, 17 June 1939, Page 7

REGATTAS.

PLANS COMPLETE.

CENTENNIAL DISPLAY.

SPECTACULAR EVENTS. NAVY WILL CO-OPERATE.

"As is only natural, Auckland's tnaonifioent waterfront will Ttlii y a highly important part in the Centennial celebrations." said the .Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, to-day, when outlining the comprehensive programme of events which the marine activities sub-com-mittee of the metropolitan executive has compiled for inclusion in the official schedule for January and February of 10411.

Sir Frnest indicated that the period to be covered was from January '20 to February 17. The main features provided for the following:—Power boat races, January if); traditional regatta with Centennial status. January 29; fullrange regatta by combined western yachting clubs. February •">: full-range regatta by combined eastern yachting clubs. February 10; Manukau Harbour regatta. February 17.

Sir Finest said that it had liecn f«>lt that in view of the importance of the occasion, and the possibility of overseas yachts, living sent to Auckland, the spread of the regattas over the period referred to would be a further inducement to outeddo cninpetitii.il. Class chain].imisliip cups would be provided for the regattas outside the Centennial regatta, on Anniversary Day. It was proposed that three races be -ailed and prizes be awarded on point* similar to the Australian IX-fia.t races. Special IS-foot and 14-fm.t championships, open to Xew Zealand and overseas classes, bad also been arranged. Mauri aquatic events bad been included in the programme for Centennial regatta day, and als,. f«,r Febriimv 10.

Overseas Invitations. The subcommittee necessarily was concent rating its energies on the Centennial regatta of January 20. with the object of making it. a memorable event in the liir-tory of yachting in Xew Zealand. To that end invitations bad been extended to yachting and boating clul.< overseas, as far afield as Fugland, United States. Canada. Singapore. South Africa and Australia. Hopes were held that Mr. T. <). M. Sopwith, London, and Mr. Harold S. Vanderbilt, Xew York, would favourably con-ider the building and -ending to Xew Zealand of all IS-foot boat to fake part in the world's sailing championship. An offer from Ktiwliiii to bring four wbaieboats and race thorn as part of (lie Centennial regatta had been accepted, and it was hoped by the committee, to make arrangements for crews of two of tho-e boats to be recruited in Auckland. The naval authorities at IX'ioiiport had expressed a desire to enter in this race a whaleboat recently presented to them. A full measure of co-operation was being accorded by the naval authorities, who would provide a crni-er a* tlagship on Centennial regatta day, and undertake responsibility for the searchlight display to be given in the evening.

Naval Aquatic Sports. X'ava! aquatic sports would have their place, and if war-hips of the Australian squadron were present races between the crews of the. visiting and Xew Zealand cruisers would take place oil Centennial regatta day. Another feature, which it was hoped to include in the programme for January 20, was a competition of old-time sailing craft and a display procession of them and other local craft.

Careful thought was given to the planning of a brilliant aquatic spectacle for the evening of Centennial regatta day. At the conclusion of the regatta, a procession would be held of yachts ami power-vessels, and it was hoped to present by night a carnival consisting of a procession of decorated pleasure craft, a display by aircraft of nightflying, and searchlight displays from the war-hips, forts and coastal batteries. with the po-ibility of a pyrotechnic displav still to be considered.

Arrangements were in hand for the holding at Mercer, on February .'!. of the Auckland grand Centennial rowing championship*, in which it was anticipated tfwt rowing crews from all over Xew Zealand would take part.

Replica Of Warship. Sir Finest said that preliminary arrangements had been made by the committee for the use of the schooner Huia for conversion into a replica of H.M.S. Herald in connection with t'-.e proposed historical re-enactment of the landing, at Kororareka, of Governor Hobson. This event had already been accorded national status, but a final decision on the project could not be made until the conclusion of negotiations at present being carried on with the Government.

In conclusion, Sir Finest expressed his appreciation of the vast amount of ground-work members of the sub-com-mittee had covered, and his appreciatioiv in that regard of the services of thj chairman. Mr. J. H. Frater, and the honorary secretary, Mr. W. Brook Smith.