AWAY FROM IT ALL

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 74, 25 September 1945, Page 8

AWAY FROM IT ALL

Hankering for a different life, two returned servicemen intend to leave Wellington this week for Tahiti in a 39ft yacht. Mr. Fred Hayward, who is an experienced yachtsman, will be skipper, but his companion, Mr. L. F. (Fritz) Zimmerman, has had no experience in a small boat. They recently returned to New Zealand after four years' service with the Army Service Corps, and their 13-ton yacht, Siren, was bought with their deferred pay. "We don't care if we never come back," said Mr. Hayward, when asked how long they would be away. "That's one thing we have plenty of —time." During the last few months the yacht has been entirely renovated and refitted, the cabin has been made roomier and more habitable, and modern home comforts have been installed.' The Siren, built in. 1898, is a yawl-rigged yacht, 39ft long, Bft beam, and drawing 7ft 6in. She has a triple skin, and has-proved herself a good Seaboat, having crossed Cook Strait on many occasions. The boat will go first to Auckland, where Hayward intends to get some new head-sails, gear, and provisions. Both men were rather vague about their itinerary after Tahiti. Hayward said he did not relish life ashore; he just wanted to get away.