YACHTING.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 116, 8 February 1908, Page 9

YACHTING.

(Bt MAIXSnEEX.) -.

COMING 1 EVENTS. . Fob. 14.—Handicap races for Ist, 2nd, 'and Drd class yachts.: •' ■ ■ -•• The only racing- event last, Saturday was the contest-for the Mills.memorial,cup;.}yhich • was sailed under fairly favourable: conditions, and resulted in a win for Mr. John S. Swan's Syren. The Ngaira would have-mado/a. bct*tcr showing had the wind which; was. blowing in the morning held out. . The trophy, in question has to bo won three times at intervals pr twice in succession to bccoino - the property of any one yacht;/.:Maritana.,Torangi, Waiangi, and Syren have each secured a leg-iu during tho time tho' .cup.has, been ,in oxistoncc. It is to ho-hoped that next ,ycar will see more than three boats competing for tho prize. 1 '. .Dr. Fell,' Commodore of; . the : P.ifiY.C.v writing to tho club from Auckland,; states that the Northern people have not yet hold any races under the now. It is stated that several new .-boats,,will be built for tho various classes 'before ,next season's racing begins. ,1. ..L.:.." ' As regards the allowance ■-for-difference,\in hrating as it affects tho-;«ecqnd ; class T race sailed on Anniversary been decided to baso'it on the old' Yacht*Racing.Association rules. : These/ give '.the Janet.".first ■place in the race in question, Mahina second place, and Syren third: The measurement of the Ngaira not-having been recoivcd-'yet, '.an announcement .'cannot bo made-in regard .to her race". ■' ■ "--/-1.'..;;. „J, The Thorndon Dinghy, Club picnic was the . special l attraction 'on Sunday last; ;and most of the'yachtsmen .turned, out .The' gathering was as successful as-any of tho, fine out- I ings which have preceded it. ' Some of tho owners of-boats anchored in Boat Harbour might with advantage use a little judgment where they throw their picks down. Complaints have been received that some -boats drop, into tho harbour and throw their anchor overboard without any ■consideration for the owners of other boats with regular moorings who: require to work in or out of the place. ■ Whilo oil this subject of the Boat Harbour it-may be mentioned, that some of the "''deep' 'keel boats "float" at queer angles at. low tido. The place is apparently silting up, and'the proposed dredging which the Harbour Board'is said to, | have under consideration would do nicely at present.. /.'■'■' Tho last races on the Port Nicholson Club's programme are to •be held next Saturday, /.when''first; second) and:'third "class-yachts 'will -all 'be engaged."'*. 4 /The. runiour' 'that,'.the' Club was going t-o hold., an.' ocean ; race.'appears to have met the',/..'approvalof yachtsmen, , and something definite - should be known at-an early date.-,: The race: should be an- open handicap, so. that any boat'capable of weatherihg. the course,mtlibut; danger 'could-enter. The only tjbuble; about,such an event would. be the handicapping!-'",*

Messrs.. Briiigins and..B.iileyhave put!, the finishing touches on , tJio;,:Tuna/ ;i >vhich,'lcioks Very'neat. When she-next, races.-and-: gets tlio full advantage' of-her-plato' (which! she did not oil Anniversary* Day) .slio may surprise a few. She wilrte'racing "b'ii : February

It.is to bo hoped that tlio.j-Miiritai is ; not going to drop racing. It-would bo a pity to seo such a smart littlecraftperjna,nently' absent v from tho starting . line. .- Never, venture, never'win. ■ -.'■■y;. '■

; There is a rumour^ abroad-that-the.Nancy' Stair.is on. the .market: r.V

Arthur. Holmes launched his .new boat during the week, and'she. is n'ow iit Balini Bay, hvllere the lead, is. being, put'" oii'r" Sh'6"will"b : e! rigged, next week, and should ho racing on: the Saturday. So fartho bpat' has not beennamed. . It is 'stated that tho'Syren is likely to'pay a visit .to the Sounds .lit.an. early-date. Millman is at work.on a nice; little keel jjboat, which is. on, a .design which should suit. Wellington. Harbour admirably.. '. . ■ :-

•i Thqro. are rumours ; that'a onc;design class is to be--started, in:the city,'.or, rather, .that; aiic.'cffort'. is.'being mado. to start (ihe:There is . little - doubt' that . 'sy. restricted-one-design ■ qlass would' bo popular, if ...onca i under ;way,'.especially if. a fairly, cheap but: staunch '".l|ba.(iV'ji'ere' put' forward, Siich a class would add greatly to the■ interest of racing, -and ' might easily prove to be the making of the sport'.. "jlainshcet" would bo-;-glad to see 'a class started, and would welcome news from any of those interested in. thp'.schenie, or sug- : gestioris from. enthusiasts -who ; feol / inclined. ■to put them for'vard, 'with .a view-to arriving at a- blass of boat* which might" be madq.tlio foundation of such a .'class.:- '' A one-design might tempt. some, 'of -.■.the to Renter .tjie field,'again , and show't-hp: younger -'genera-' • tipntliat they are not. tho. only; ones' who can get speed out of a yacht. A remarkable feature about yachtsmen' is, that .Va-.man./wlio lias once' iJceiV- at the game: never.loses,his. enthusiasm, and is liablo to bo - drawiriuto it' again at any time.-- ■''. How is it that the P.N.Y!C.; does )iot-en-courage a patiki class.?.~li:::js*.a cheap:and' serviceable - class ably, cucourago a good number qft-he; younger .yachtsmen to become - owners; Onc e; t-hey -own a ; patiki they , will aspire to something .riioro striking, and will , usiially, got ;.it. -.'ls the drawback on, account, of-, the ness of such craft for it should be kept in view.-.- fr-'f : Tho. Mawhiti is holding her pwn' m.'Sydneyj and from all accounts is Sdmired' Hy.air'whb .'see her. /Not were treated to . a 'display' or. yachtsm'ausliip ,by.-,three' P.N.Y.C:' men. and,'.'the... Mawhiti... Messrs. J. Scott 'and , -F;''M'EeGver were'in Sydneyj and had the. pldas&eTrif binding on a new suit .of sails on. tho Mawhiti and .then ■ pacing her" alongside softie of' Sydney's"'best in 'ail. ocean race,\ in .' which " sho r 'finished fourth.; Although not' actually racing,:, she did .remarkably well, and Mr..J3. Clarke, who is now resident in Sydriey/is said, to hav.ei received somo tempting. offers; .whiqh, . liowover, he is hot anxious to/.accept; ■ The Mar,-Vhit-i .was simply: following-'the'other-boats' round the course, and had ,to'-give way to-the participants in tlie -'ra'cd;: several ■ times'; and rth'usiost ground. '' ;■;. ;