YACHTING.

Evening Star, Issue 14532, 7 December 1910, Page 3

YACHTING.

[By Spinnaker.] ' HIGH WATER. Tadarca Hoarf. Duncdin. a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m. Thursday ... 7.31 '7.56... 8.41 9.6 Fridav ... 3.29 8.59 ... 9.39 10.9 Saturday ... 9.27 9.50 ... 10.37 11.0 Sunday ... 10.16 10.42 ... 11.26 11.52 Monday ... 11.4 11.30 ... Tuesday ... 11.50 - ... 0.40 1.0

Tho club races on Saturday afternoon were disappointing in a way. Tho third class, from various reasons, found only one starter, while the second class, now including tho unballasted boats, found five starters. But what was lost to the spectators in the second class was well repaid by the large number of starters in the. first class, and when one looks at the crack boats (all flyers, with such names as Harridge. Webber, Kellett, Knowstabb, Malt by, Oliphant, and Davis as skippers—- " Spinnaker" reckons tho cream of our yachtsmen were taking part in the race, and just as Maltby was the skipper who made his name last season, Kellett, of tho Revenge, is evidently to be the ehining light cf the new skippers this season. Janot, the winner on handicap, was not well sailed, and a spectator could easily 6eo old-timers standing first on one leg then the other, fidgeting at the manner in which she was handled. No thanks is due to her crow for securing first place. Tho Janot proved by her sailing that sheis a flyer, and more will be heard of this fine boat during tho season; that is, if they let her go. Waimana, as usual, appeared at the line in tip-top order, and looked before the start as if her smart crew meant business. She sailed well, and all but gave tho other competitors their liberal time allowance. When she appeared at the starting line her skipper did not show his usual eagerness to get away -with the crack of tho gun. No doubt he remembered his sharp lesson at the ln6t championship races, and will in all probability be found in the nick in the future. .Still, there are points both wavs. Had ho been first away on Saturday it might have saved him tho live seconds ho was beaten by.

ilovenge was the surpriso packet, this boat being extremely well handled. The ono mistake was in keeping too close to the Peninsula. In a nor'-eaeter it is always best to keep near the wall. Carina had Tom Harridgc as skipper. She sailed well; but why bring her up standing, Tom? It happened more than once during the race. Knewstubb koeps his boat better than anyone in the harbor, as far as gear, etc., goes, but he does not sail her to perfection. Nevertheless 1 hope to see him well forward at the regatta. Petrel, now a second class boat, put on a win right from the jiunp, and, as a matter of fact, got a very liberal time allowance for snch a breeze.

Viking put up a good performance, but if the Iris and Eileen had got under way from the start the handicappers would have to space out the time more. ■ Misfortunes happened to the third classes durin.tr the past week—buret pails etc. Only Redwing started, and sailed over the course for eighth prize. hi tho motor boats, Len Nees onoe again had an easy win. Tho Tui always get.s there somehow. Tho Imp, a new waft, has the appearance of being a fast boat, but, as a. matter of fact, she carries only a 3J, horse-power engine-. Her appearance, is mitdeadiii'g, and Messrs M'llae and Alexander c-au bo excused for putting her scratch, as in the, Ravcnsbournc Club* races tho local handicappers dealt fairily heavily with her. Welch is a good sport, however, and when once his boat is better known he will have no excuse to grumble. In the big motor race tho new boat, Tangaroa, was three minutes lato at the start, but pnt up a good performance. The same might alto be eaid of the Clontarf. Query got a good place, and led throughout, but the scratch boat was easily gaining on her, and over that short course sho put three minutes to tho good. Why should boatbuilders or enginebuilders be asked to handicap, or evon judge, boats in club races at regattas? I do not wifh to insinuate that the judges are not strictly fair, but if yachting as a sport has to be kopt clean and no partiality shown, all interested in the trade must be kept out, and only then will satisfaction reign supreme. Messrs M'Racind Alexander, for a. first attempt, did splendidly, as did Tom Horrid ge at Ravensbourne. I have been informed that a yacht-owner, and a competitor (most likely) at the Port regatta, is a judge of sailing events. This is not as it should be. I am not attacking the man, but the principle, which is absolutely wrong. Why should a man who owns a yacht, through an over-fine sense of justice, be asked to judgo and perhaps lose a £2O prize? No better day could havo been chosen by the yacht clubs in our harbor for tho final leave-taking of the Terra Nova and her crew. Sharp to time, all that remained to be done at Port was accomplished. The clanging of bells and blowing of syren whistles, accompanied by cheers from the people on tho various boats and waterfront, was the signal that tho Terra Nova, of the Royal Yacht Squadron, had cast her line and was bound southward. The cheer was perhaps lacking in that resonant heartiness one is accustomed to hear, but what of that? It perhaps meant that a few lumps would rise unbidden in our throats, for were not these brave fellows going to face untold dangers and a long and desolate period in tho great stillness of the frozen South? As we gazed at that little band of officers and men wo felt success must attend their efforts, for they were strong and bronzed above tho average, and looked as though a thorsand blizzards could not touch them. The sight as the vessels moved to the open seaway was a pretty one—of charming landscape and 6tately craft, the Amokura leading by several lengths. Captain Cashman handled his-vessel in his usual masterly style, and kept close in the wake of our departing guests. The Plucky was close alongside, having on board tho officials

Commodore Hanlon's launch, the Inishfree, with Rear-commodore Smith (who acted in tho absence of Mr Hanlon) on board, led about thirty boats from the various clube. • At Harrington Point a halt was made and solutes wero fired. It war, here the wives of the departing olficers left, and the Terra Nova's cicw manned tho rigging and gavo us an idea of what a British cheer was. Tho Amokura hoys made one's blood creep. Theso slips of lads stood far out on the yards, giving their "Hip, hooray!' in their boyiah treble voices. At this stage Scout Clapperton semaphored Commodore Hanlon's message of *• God speed von on your journey and bring you safe back." Captain Evans replied with " Thank you very much, indeed." Then the launch signalled wilh flags : " O.Y.C. wish you a pleasant voyage and safe return. Good-bye." And the answer came: "Thank you. Good-bye." A little further still we went, and caw many porpoises, who flapped and jumped their farewells merrily. The sun reminded us that we had not "much more daylight, and turning our boat's head homeward, we left tho Terra Nova, all being satisfied that we had participated in ono of the finest send-offs.

The Waitiri was hauled up on the. slip ,on Sunday afternoon. Nece evidently I wishes to get his boat tidied up and oil again before the Boxing Day rush sets in. [ Boat-owners aro reminded that entries I for tho Otago regatta close on December 16—up till 5 p.m. at the secretary's office, land from 7 till 8 p.m. at the Council Chambers, Port Chalmers. I would draw tho attention of yachtowners to the fact that harbor pi Kiev i< becoming all too prevalent in the vicinity of tho Yacht Club's property. On Sund-vv morning, when tho skipper and crew of the Adelaide got. on board with all their gear, they found it impossible to get under way, owing to the visitation of a sneak-thief, who had helped himself to their peak halyards, staysail halyards, and one topping lift—all good now rope. Last year I mentioned the fact tliat tho sneak-thief wais not extinct, and would warn all boatowners to bewate of this prowler of the night. Let us combine and insist on the extermination of this plague. The fact of the Adelaide being selected is all the more contemptible as yachting is the only sport George indulges in. He has the sympathy, I feel sure, of all the club, who will leave no stone unturned to catch tho thief. I also hear that other boat-owners have suffered low. The Yacht Club offer a reward of £2 for information that will lead to a conviction.