AQUATICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11544, 1 December 1900, Page 7

AQUATICS.

The formal opening of the yachting season took place in the harbour last Saturday afternoon by a display of the yachts of the Auckland Yacht lib, Ponsonby Cruising Club, and the Parnoll and North Shore Sailing Clubs. The proceedings were of a most interesting character, and the whole affair was very successfully carried cut. Parnell Sailing Club held their first series of races of the season on Saturday afternoon last, under favourable conditions of wind and weather, and an interesting afternoon's sport resulted. Messrs. Bloomfield's yacht Viking was flagship, and Mr. F. W. Coombee acted as judge and timekeeper in his usual painstaking manner. Auckland Regatta Committee met last Monday night for general business. Good reports were received from tho collectors, something like £100 having boon subscribed. This may be considered very satisfactory, and if the committee are as successful in canvassing the remaining portions of the city, the regatta should be successfully carried out. Rainbow sailed for Lyttelton on Sunday morning last, and reached Tauranga on *Yednesday, having called at Mercury Island and Mercury Bay on tho way. The yacht sa:.cd from Tauranga on Thursday, arid will Le nest heard of from Giiborne.

In tho Open Handicap race at Parnell on Saturday afternoon, Rainbow did not sail up to anything like her old form, which was hardly to he expected, considering that she had nearly all her gear, etc., on board for her trip South. Aorere sailed exceedingly well on the occasion, although oho did not carry her topsail, and made a {food race of it all through, finally winning on time allowance with some minutes to spare. The Patiki raco at Parnell last Saturday, as usual, proved most interesting, from start to finish it being a great go." Eka, the champion of last season, under her new owner, did not sail anything like bo well as previously. Kangaroo, a new boat, had a ding-dong "go" with Rita over a portion of the course, but fell behind a good deal an tho race progressed. Rambler, although finishing first, had to take third place on time allowance. Ponsonby Regatta Club will hold a special meeting on Monday evening next at the Ponsonby Club Hotel, for the allocation of tho prize money for the forthcoming regatta. V/aitemata Boating Club hold impromptu subscription trials this afternoon. About eight crews are' expected to compete. In order not to interfere with the training of regatta crews, the crews for the trials have not yet been selected, but will be drawn for just prior to the racing. The course will be front off St. Mary's Point, finishing at the Hobson-street Wharf.

Auckland Rowing Club will hold trial fours off Hobaon-streot »Wharf this afternoon, tho following being the crews selected:—l: Lovett, Carpenter. Buddie, Campbell. 2: Fort, Wade, Player, Pnlcthorpe. 3: Wade, Heminftway. Muir, Cave. 4: Madden, Brokenshire, Hill, Beckind. 5: Brown, Bridgens, Jordan, Nicholas. 6: Fookes, Clarke, Bradly, Clarke. 7: McKnight, Kerr. Strong, Evans. 8: Cleal, S. Brown, Lewi?. Taylor. 9: Hales, W. T. Brown, Bryant, Conncll. A special meeting of the Parnell Sailing Club is to be held on Wednesday to consider tho measurement of Fatikis and to define the new ruin. As this is a matter of some importance, it is to be hoped that there will bo a full attendance of members.

Thclma was out for a spin in tho harbour on Wednesday trying her now suit of sails, recently imported from England. Tho sails are a beautiful suit, and Mr. Jagger is very pleased with them. Tha I'onsonby Cruising Club had its opening on Saturday last. A muster of 75 boats assembled off Ponsonby and went down tho harbour under directions of (ho vice-commo-dore, meeting- the Auckland Yacht Club off Queen-street Wharf, afterwards proceeding down to Howiek, where an enjoyable evening was spent in tho form of a smoke concert. A splendid programme, wit!) excellent music, supplied by the yacht Shamrock's string band,, was gone through. During tho outing cricket and. oilier sports were enjoyed. A handsome trophy, presented by Mr. F. H. Browne, caused no end of amusement, whilst being rowed for in the dingeys. Waitemata are steadily increasing their membership, a considerable 'number of new members having joined this season, and a further half-dozen or so during the past fortnight. . There is every sign of the club having the most prosperous season they have had for a long time hack. After the display in the harbour on Saturday last, the yachts of the Auckland Yacht Club proceeded down to Matialia, under Vice-Commodore Murdoch, returning on Sunday evening, after an enjoyable cruise. Tho North Shore Sailing Club bold their first races on Saturday next. The classes are as follows:—First-class yachts, over 25ft waterline: second-class, under 25ft waterline; third-class, under 20ft overall: fourthclass, Patikis; fifth-class, under 25ft overall, and 20ft waterline; special class. 21ft L. raters. Good enlrios are expected in all classes, as over 25 new members have joined this season, nearly all being boat owners. Entries close with tho secretary next Thursday evening, at the Reading-room, Devonport, at nine o'clock. Waitemnta's new clinker outrigger, from Mr. Edwards. Melbourne, arrived by the Zcalandia last Monday. Tho club's regatta crews have had several spins in her since, and oppress themselves as being very pleased with her. *

A correspondent at Tauranga writes mc: — "A great deal of interest is taken in the Rainbow at Tauranga, as, Mr. Pittar is essentially a Taurangaite. Mr. Chappe-Hall's yacht came off the slip last week. Mr. Chappo-Hall being a. local resident, and his beautiful yacht making her headquarters here, and Mr. Pittar's association and connection with the place, gives Tnuranga mute an importance as a yachting centre. With the admirable cruising ground in the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga will be the most popular outside centre for yacht-cruising before long, as its capabilities become better known. There are ports all the way down the coast at short intervals between Capo Colvillo and the East Cape, and as a cruising ground, with variety of scenery and sport, it cannot bo equalled anywhere." The English yacht Ariadne, which arrived at Sydney recently from Southampton and the Capo Colony, is to undergo a thorough overhaul during her stay in Port Jackson. /fter taking part in the Commonwealth celebrations the yacht will pay a visit to New Zealand, so that it is probable that Auckland yachtsmen will be able to view this fine specimen of the English yachting world. The yachting season opened in Melbourne on the 17th inst.. under very propitious circumstances, a large fleet of yachts taking part in the demonstration, which is said to have proved a great buooms. The Sydney Referee of the 21st says: — "The 30ft linear rating race, promoted by the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club on Saturday, resulted in a very tame affair, after giving promise, too, of one of the most interesting events held so far this season. There were practically only two starters out of .an entry of eight boats, these being vrt C T Brockhoff 30-footer Aoraa and Mr 'Fred Doran's 20ft' rater oria Mr. George's 20.6-rater Drawn certainly started, but as she was

something like 15m. late in crossing the starting line, she might just as well nave never started for what little hope she had of catching her rivals. As might have been expected under the circumstances, Aoma naa very little trouble in disposing of her small rival. Aoma has been sailing particularly well of late, Mr. Brcokhoff evidently having profited by his several experiences this season." ' * MERCER REGATTA. Great preparations are being made for the Mercer Maori Regatta and aquatic sports and Northern Rowing Union Regatta combined, which takes place on Saturday next. Upwards of 80 entries have been received _up to the present for the various events, which exceeds those at former regattas in the Waikato, and, judging by the great amount of interest being taken in this function by the Maoris and our rowing men to bring it to a successful issue, a very large gathering will' assemble at the aquatic township. Considerable activity is apparent in the Waikato among the Maoris, who are busy preparing their canoes for the fray. The old favourite war canoe, the Paparata, will again contest the big event against two others, and should again pass the winning-post first. The canoe hurdle races, which cause so much amusement, will be well contested, as many as nine canoes being entered for some of the events. The swimming races, greasy boom, ladies' pair-oar, and the cigar and umbrella race will form other attractions. There will be keen competition between our local rowing clubs, and each club is doing its utmost to have its crews well fitted for the occasion. A procession of all competing canoes and boat?, followed by a ngeri or war dance, will open the day's sports. The traiii arrangements fixed by our local traffic manager are all that can be desired, and as Mercer is an easy distance from town, we feel sure some thousands will take advantage of having a fine outing and enjoying a good day's sport on Saturday next. MANUKAU YACHT CLUB. The Sailing Committee of the Manukau Yacht Club have drawn up the following programme for oponing the season, which takes place this afternoon:—Boats assemble off old coat wharf at three p.m.; sail round fourth buoy, then round dolphin off end of the wharf, and back to fourth buoy in the following order:—St. Anno, Sarah, Moa, Belle, Pretoria, Mascotto, Mizpah, Molly, Swash, Iris, Industry, Akarana, Ladysmith, Myrtle, Fedora, Kiwi, Petrel, Lifebuoy, Sally, and Galatea. On coming to the fourth buoy the second time yachts to muster as near abreast, as possible, and sail back to the Railway Wharf. On completion of the above manoeuvres all boats are requested to sail for French Bay, and rendezvous there for the night, returning to-morrow afternoon. The members of the club are anxious to obtain a champion cup for competition by the club boats. The sum of £4 has already been subscribed for this laudable object,' and it has been resolved to issue subscription-lists to see if sufficient funds can be got to enable the club to purchase a champion cup. If this object is attained, it hes been decided that the cup must bo won off scratch, and the holder to be always open to be challenged by any other club boat, under conditions to be drawn up. Mr. E. S. Pegler has presented the club with a valuable enlarged photo, of the old Manukau Football Club, to be given to tho best-kept boat, in the opinion of the Sailing Committee, at the opening of the season this afternoon. Other prizes for comnetition have also been given or promised by Messrs. H. Prime and Foster. Captain Nealo has also given a valuable donation to the funds of the club, so that a very successful season is anticipated. YACHT RACE TO KAWAU. The yacht race to the Kawau for a trophy presented by Mr. Hicks-Ross, the popular manager of the island, will be sailed to-day, and promises to bo very interesting. The yachts are to be started from off tho end of (he Queen-street Wharf by flag signal. Each yacht has been provided with a number, which will be hoisted on tho Harbour Board's signal staff, and upon being lowered will bo the signal for starting. Tho s.s. Kawau will accompany tho yaohts down to the island, leaving the Queen-street Wharf at half-past one o'clock p.m. In the evening Mr. Hicks-Ross will entertain the yachtsmen at dinner at his residence at Kawau. The following are the entries and handicaps for tho event.: —

Off the wind: Pandora, 50m.; Matua, 50m.; Ngaru, 43m.; Mahaki, 43m.; Spray, 43m.; Rarere, 30m.; Mizpah, 30m.; Kotiri, 27m.: Ladyo Wilma, 2&m.; Rangatira, 26m.; Aorerc, 26m.; Thetis, 13m.; Ida, 12m.; Moana, 12m.; Heartsease, 6m.; Thelma, scratch. First boat to start at half-past twelve p.m. On the wind: Pandora, lh. 45m.; Matua, lh. 45m.: Spray, lh. 45m.: Earero, lh. 15m.; Ngr.ru, lh.; Mahaki, lh. Mizpah, lh. ; Kotiri, 30m.; Rangatira, 30m.: Ladyo Wilma, 30m.; Aorere, 30m.; Thetis, 24m.; Ida, 13m.; Moana, 18m.: Heartsease, 18m.; Tlielina, scratch. First boat to start at half-past twelve p.m. LtNX.