YACHT WAITANGI

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 25021, 1 November 1946, Page 9

YACHT WAITANGI

TO LYTTELTON Z REGATTAS The A class yacht Waitangi, which has been purchased in Auckland by a Christchurch buyer and is to come to Lyttelton in December, is no stranger to the port of Lyttelton, according to Mr W. C Cleary, of Lyttelton. Mr Cleary wtis for many years secretary of the now defunct Lyttelton Regatta Club, and he recalls that the Waitangi was built in Auckland to beat the Mascotte. owned by the late Mr James Sinclair, of Lyttelton. In those days, substantial cash prizes were given for the big yacht races at the Lyttelton regattas, and the fixture attracted many yachts from other porta. In all, the Waitangi was brought to Lyttelton on at least five occasions, but- she never succeeded in winning a race. It. was -in the late 'nineties that the Waitangi first came to Lyttelton, arriving on Christmas Day in a heavy snowstorm. She returned to compete at the jubilee regatta on January 1 and 2. in 1901, ana was beaten for tne first prtae of £lOO by another Auckland yacht, tne Rainbow, owned • by Messrs Pittar and Alexander. In the handicap race on the second day. the Waitangi finished second to the Kia Ora, owned by Mr J. H. Coilins. A few days later the Waitangi sailed with other North Island yachts for Wellington, but met with very heavy weather. The Waitangi put back to Lyttelton, where another race was arranged for her benefit. This was again won by the Kia Ora, but the owner and crew of the latter generously handed the prize money to the Waitangi’s crew to help pay their expenses. . The W r aitangi yimpeted at some subsequent regattas, <>n one occasion finishing second to the Zephyr, of Lyttplton.