YACHTING

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 75, 22 December 1926, Page 8

YACHTING

(By

“Nereus.”)

Thp Programme at Lyttelton. A very comprehensive programme has been arranged for the entertainment of the yachtsmen who will visit Lyttelton in connection with the Sanders Cup contest in February. The programme, which is given below, is a very carefully arranged one, and New Zealand enthusiasts are under a debt of gratitude to the Canterbury Association for the very good times which will be accorded them while visiting Lyttelton. Friday, February 11.—Civic reception at Lyttelton. Citizens’ ball at Lyttelton. Conference of Dominion Yachting Association. Saturday.—First race. Combined entertainment at Christchurch. Sunday.—Motor trip to country. Canterbury Automobile Association to be asked to provide cars. Monday.—Second race. Entertainment by Canterbury Yacht and Motor Boat Club, Lyttelton. . Tuesday.—Third race. Entertainment by Christchurch Sailing and Power Boat Club. .. , Wednesday.—Fourth race, combined entertainment by the New Brighton and Pleasant Point Power Boat Clubs. Thursday.—Fifth race. Entertainment at Sumner. Friday.—Presentation of prizes. . . Saturday.—Canterbury championship race for 14-footers.

Otago’s Representative. Winifred, sailed by G. the Connor brothers and Hill as liei crew, will go north to Lyttelton as Otago’s champion this year, “For’ard Hand” in the "Dunedin Star. The selection was made on the recommendation of the Sailing Committee after six races. The final trial was held in light to squally weather, and Winifred’s win was full of merit. Kia Ora could not get a crew, and C. rrench went out in Heather, which sailed awkwardly with the wind over her quarter. Heather was close up at the finish, but Winifred had the race won throughout. . At the association s meeting Mr. Fam proposed that G. Kellett should be asked to attend the next meeting of the association, as several important matters had to be discussed ami questions to be asked. The recommendation of the Sailing Committee that his crew be selected was quite proper and in order. The question was whether the association should send an extra man to supplement the crew. “We should establish the closest possible co-operation and get the best results,” said Mr. Paul. "We want to have continued harmony in the crew. He paid a tribute to the sporting spirit of the other boats in turning out for the trials. Some did not have a very bright hope, but they had helped the sport. Mr. Davys: And good fellowship is existing between them all. "Yes, everything augurs well for a very successful contest as far as this association is concerned,” said Mr. Paul.

Helping the Boys. To assist lads to take up small-boat sailing, Mr. C. J. Treleavan, a Christchurch accountant, and secretary of the Christchurch branch of the Navy League, has proposer! a scheme of finance. A brief outline of the scheme is given by "Bobstay,” in the "Christchurch Sun.” "Boys anxious to take up sailing would be asked to pay half the cost of building a small boat of the Takapuua or small catboat type, and the club would find the rest of the money (says the writer). As a means of financing the club’s end of the expense Mr. Treleaven suggested that some of the older enthusiasts who could afford it should be asked to increase their annual subscriptions by. say, A2. It might be possible to build in this way < nlv one or two boats a season, but once launched the scheme would probably become more popular, and in Jhe course of time the club would accumulate a onedesign class which 'would be able to have its own races.

“Naturally, the scheme would depend on the willingness pf the older members to encourage the boys by paying a little more themselves. The point which seems to present a difficulty is the question of the disposal <>f (he halfshare in the boat which would belong to thS club.

“I think, perhaps, (he best plan would bo for the boy to complete the purchase of the boat by buying out the club’s interest, by instalments. If for some reason Tie wanted to sell out before completing his purchase, the club could buy up his share, making allowance for depreciation, of course, and then sell the boat to ahother newcomer found bv the boy, and approved by the

committee (supposing that there was rot a waiting list) on the same ula# as before. By selling out its interest in each boat built the club would retain its building fund and would be able to help more boys, while if the older uiembers kept up their contributions each year, the building fund would increase, and the scheme could be extended. The Christchurch Sailing Club set u.p a sub-committee to consider and report on the proposal, hut so far nothing more definite has been done.” The scheme here outlined would seem to be a very sensible one, and would certainly help towards the removal of one of the chief obstacles which. confronts the enthusiasm of. a young wouldbe yachtsman. From that standpoint, at least, it is worthy of support, which it” is to be hoped will not be lacking. New Auckland Boats.

The well-known keel yacht Ladye Wilma has been, purchased by Mr. R. Lidgard (says “Spindrift:” in the "New Zealand Herald”), formerly owner of Alexa and Celox Ladye Wilma, which, is at present hauled up in Freeman’s Bay, is 40ft. over all, and has a beam of 9ft. Gin. She is a Logan-built craft, and is a fine roomy cruiser. No time will be lost in getting her ready for water, and it is the intention of her owner to leave on an extended cruise in her during the Christmas holidays. Mr. R, Lang, of Ponsonby, has recently completed a 3Gft. cruiser for Mr. D. Swallow of Parnell. She is fitted with, a high-powered engine, and shows a good turn of speed.

A new 45ft. launch, built to the order of Mr. R. Maynell, of Devonport, has just been completed by Mr. R. Lang. She is a good type of boat, and will be employed in the upper harbour service.

Mr. R. B. Wilson’s keel yacht Ariki, which spent last season on the hard, has been launched and put into comremission. She will leave on an. extended cruise to the north during the holidays. In a Good Cause.

There are many business men in Wellington. They are not all yachtsmen—very few’ of them, indeed, are at all interested in the sport—but they have this in common, that they are all citizens of the Capital City. It is to be hoped, therefore, that when the Wellington Provincial Yacht and "°to r Boat Association approaches some of the

larger business firms for , so ™ e . j financial assistance —and this it intends to do-it will meet with ready response. Wellington is not backward in cricket, it was once ascendant in football, it has some very fine tennis players, and in other sports it holds a high position. As far as yachting is concerned, however, this city has not very greatly distinguished ' itself. But there is no reason why it should not-unless it bo Inch ot finance. The association is yet m its extreme youth, but it has to do the work of a full-grown adult. To do this work well money is necessary, and therefore it is not too much to expect that public-spirited business houses will be readv to assist to place the association on its feet, and to mark Wellington verv plainly upon the yachting map.

A Yachtsman’s Paradise. Auckland seems always to lead the wav in yachting matters, and will noon be the proud possessor ff a lew harbour for yachts at St. Mary’s Bay, where the construction of a protecting wall to enclose the present pleasure boat harbour is to be begun early in the new year. The piles for the temporary power line to serve the cranes have been driven. Starting at the Point Erin baths, these piles mark 'he outer edge of the boat harbour end give an excellent idea of the area and extent of the new haven for small craft. At present St. Mary's Bay accommodates about 120 yachts and ’annehes, but owing to the shallow nature of most of the bay the larger keel vachts are not able to use this anchorage (says a writer in the “New Zeahin' 1 The boat harbour will hove an area of 215 acres of water, and when the dredging contemplated is carried out there will be room for at ’east COO pleasure boats to be moored in safety.