AQUATICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10408, 5 April 1897, Page 6

AQUATICS.

NORTH SHORE SAILING CLUB.

The first picnic of the members of tho North Shore Sailing Club and their friends took place at Kohimarama ou Saturday afternoon, and proved a most enjoyable function, there being quite 400 visitors present. The Devonport Ferry Company's steamer Victoria conveyed the passengers from Devonport wharf, landing them at the Bastion shortly after three o'clock. In the meantime the yachts connected with the Club, led by the Ngaru (Vice - Commodore Bennett's yacht), all headed in to the beach, dropping anchor a short distance away. Twenty yachts put in an appearance, and in a short space of time those on board were ashore. Captain Gibbs had preceded the other yachts in the Spray, in order to get everything in readiness for the visitors, who lost no time in scattering themselves along the beach and in shady nooks along the Shore. Mr. Alex. Alison, the commodore of the Club, accompanied the party on hoard the steamer, and after seeing all safely landed, took a great interest in the sports inaugurated. Mr. Wilkinson, the secretary, was most energetic in carrying out the various duties assigned to him, and the officers of the club generally aro to be congratulated upon the excellent arrangements made and carried out. The first of the aquatic sports was a handicap yachts' dingy race. Eleven started and a most exciting contest resulted in Gibbs (Spray) being first, with A. Dacre and Parker having a dead heat for secoud place. Tho ladies' dingy race brought five to the post, and a fine race ensued, Miss Alison being first, Miss Townsend second, and Miss Chambers third. For the sculling dingy race nine started, the result being: Oliver 1, Clare 2, Rcw 3. The swimming rsce in fancy enstme was won by A. Sainty. A Ladies Whaleboat Race brought out two competitors, the crews being stroked by Miss livers and Miss Townsend. The crew of the former were by far the best, and won easily, As usual the water tournament created a great deal of amusement, and was won by A. Dacre and W. Parker. Mr. A. Alison acted as judge,'and Captain Parker as starter, Mr. R. Logan lending valuable assistance. At the termination of the sports the party adjourned for tea, and in the evening a most excellent concert was given in one of the buildings which had been kindly placed at the disposal of the club. Mr. Alf. Bartleyactcd as accompanist, the piano having been lent by Mr. Biddick. The following was the programme ; several of the items being encored : —Song, Mr. Lees; song, Madame Anderson ; song, Miss Featon; song, Mr. Rowe: song, Mr. Queree: song, Miss Fitzoatrick; recitation, Mr. A. Smith; pianoforte solo, Miss Mahon; song, Mr. Sehatz; song, Miss Knight ;_ vocal duel, Misses Featon and Fitzoatrick; recitation, Mr. Brown; song (comic). Mr. Scarrett. Shortly before nine o'clock the concert concluded, and the electric searchlight from riie fort on the North Head was turned on to the bo»ch, in order that the passengers could be conveyed on board the Eagle for the North Shore. This was safely accomplised, and the North Shore wharf reached about ten o'clock. It is proposed to have the outing made an annual one, and judging from the manner in which Saturday's function passed off, the North Shore. Sailing Club's picnic will sure to be one eagerly looked forward to.