HARBOUR PAGEANT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 46, 23 February 1940, Page 6

HARBOUR PAGEANT.

TO HONOUR ACHILLES. i LAUNCH AND YACHT FLEETS. ——— i PLANS FOR TO-MORROW. » As an acknowledgment by Auckland yachtsmen of the part played by H.M.S. Achilles in the action of the .River Plate, an impressive display of pleasure craft will be held on the harbour to-morrow afternoon. The fleet of yachts and motor craft will move past the stern of the cruiser as she lies at Central wharf. The demonstration will commence at one o'clock, the fleet being led by the commodores of all the clubs in their various craft, directed by the yacht Kotuku under Mr. M. K. Draffin, commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, and Mr. C. H. T. Palmer, chairman of the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association. The remainder of the fleet will follow in divisions under their own class numbers from A to Z. Should the wind be westerly, craft will prooeed from west of Queen's wharf; if the wind is easterly, they will move from the east of King's wharf. The Blue Peter will be flown at 12.45 p.m. on the western or eastern tower to denote from which side the display will start. A figure 1 will be hoisted and a gun fired for the commodores to cross the line. Class letters and a gun will determine the start of each class of yachts, which will cross the line abreast as in a race, with the scratch boats on the inside of the line. After passing astern of the AchiUes, the fleet will disperse in classes, each one keeping clear of the following craft. Arrangements have been made by the Devonport Yacht Club, whose regatta is also being held to-morrow afternoon, to delay starts in order to give yachts taking part in the display an opportunity to join in their own races. The demonstration is being sponsored by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and taken up by the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association. The commodore of the Auckland Motor Yacht Club, Mr. F. D. Pidgeon, has requested all motor yacht owners to take part in the demonstration. They will follow the same procedure as for wind as the others. Line will be abreast of the commodore's motor yacht Rehia, and the fleet will proceed in this formation.