AQUATICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11872, 25 January 1902, Page 6

AQUATICS.

The Auckland Anniversary Regatta takes place on Wednesday next. ' - ' .V',' :; ' Parncl! Sailing Club's second series of races for the season take place at Judge's Bay .this afternoon. The 20 ft yacht Etta was sold at auction by Messrs. S. Cochrane and ; on yesterday, and was purchased by Mr. Murphy, for £15 10 i. Rangatira showed all of the fleet of yachts the wav homo on Sunday afternoon, getting to her moorings first with some time to spare. Volunteer is on tho-hard at tho North Shore for cleaning. ~.■■■ . Yachtsmen are all busily engaged in getting their, boats in order for . the AnniversaryRegatta next , Wednesday, overhauling the gear and fixing up the weak spots. _ ' : Matters have taken a lively turn in the St. George's shed this season. . 'The club will be represented in all outrigger races at the forthcoming Auckland Regatta, _ '* _ Ponsonliy Cruising Club's handicap yacht race to Ho wick takes place l this afternoon, Times are given at ■ the start, the limit boat! to be sent away from off St. Mary's beach ai; half-past two 1 o'clock. ; .There are 32. beats entered, Huia being on scratch and Ego, the limit boat, with a time allowance of 15m. The!ma/,which did; not make much of a show in the squadron race to Mate a tea a fortnight ago, ■ made a much better ' show-jig last Saturday, she having been cleaned in the meantime. The next trial fours of the West End Rowing Club will bo held on Saturday, February 8, when trophies presented by, tho patron of the club (Mr. Murdoch McLean) will be c, »w----peted-for. Entries close on tha 30th. inst, and large entries and good competition are confidently expected. Mr. MtrLean takes keen interest in , West; End, and has ; always been a strong supporter of the r.ub. North Shore Yacht Club's second series of races for the season were sailed on Saturday afternoon last, and proved very succe= ? f, il. .There was a fino breeze, varying from sou'-h----south-west to south, blowing during the time the races were on, and the weather was l;eiutifnlly .fine. Mr. John Alexander wai the official in charge, arid carried out bis duties in his usual painstaking! and careful manner. The weather on Saturday arid Sunday last was tlio most perfect for yachting which lovers of tho sport have had this season, and full advantage was taken of it oy yaoh:sra°n generally, the harbour being fairly alivs all Saturday afternoon with, yachts of all descriptions, speeding away for :ho cruising grounds. v-'.-.-'. ; - Some of tlio practice crews of West End have lately been indulging in somo racing, with the usual " barracking" that usually takes place on those spurts. Yesterday morning two crews met and raced from the Hobson-street Wharf to the boathousc. The orews were started by Mr. L. Gannon, and a good race ensued all the way ; home, lifting won by ; Messrs. English (2) and Wright (2). I learn thai tha losing crow (Messrs. R. Bigelow, Mitchell, Watson, and Thorpe) are desirous of having another go, when they hope to reverse the positions of yesterday morning. This is the sort of spirit • that keeps up tho interest iii the sport.

North Shore Yacht Club still adhere to their rule of giving times at the start of the races, and it certainly adds much interest to the finishes, some of which were quite exciting last Saturday. One thing which I connot understand i 3 the dilaibriness of some yachtsmen who aro engaged in a race in coming to the startingpost, and there were several; instances of - this at North Shore on Saturday. As times are given at the start, every second counts, and yachtsmen should bear that in mind, as it generally happens that the few minutes' gain at the start counts for a groat deal in a race. On Saturday last ; tho test ; race between the St. George's two light-weight ■ crews, stroked respectively bv J. Sullivan and A. Black, resulted, after a good raoe, in a win for the latter by a little over a length. The yachtsmen in Judge's Bay who were unfortunate in having their boatshed destroyed by fire recently have decided to build a large boathouse, 60ft by 20ft, at a cost of about £70. The work will be started next week. > -

Mr. A. ICohn has presented a handsome shield to the West End Rowing Club, to be competed for annually, and to be kept in the boathouse. * . It consists of a large silver shield, with a rowing view thereon: in the centre, and 11 smaller.; shields,; whereon will be engraved the names of the winning crew from year to year, the whole being mounted on a handsome polished wood backing, also shield shape. This unique and valuable gift to West End will be on view shortly,; and West Endcrs are under a debt of gratitude to Mr. Kohn for his truly valuable gift. • Merlin, Sir. A. G. Buchanan's yacht, which went ashoro at Parnell some time since, has been repaired, and will take up her duties as the " mail boot" to the fishing-grounds from Judgo's Bay each Sunday morning during the season.

The model yacht race at the Anniversary Regatta-on Wednesday promises to bo one of' the most interesting events of tho day. So far a dozen boats have entered, and as post entries will bo received, I should not be at all surprised to find several others showing up. Coming up from Homo Bay last Sunday afternoon 'Volunteer and Viking had a bit of an interesting " go." The wind was blowing from the south-west, making it a dead beat. The yachts on the journey made board for , board of it, but ultimately Volunteer managed to shake her old rival off. The latter, although very dirty, sailed remarkably well. :

I am somewhat disappointed that there is to be no race for the larger yachts it the Anniversary Regatta this year. ■ With Volunteer and Viking in commission once more, a fine race, with Tbolma added, : was anticipated by local enthusiasts, but for some reason or the other tho owners have fought shy. _ The-St. George's Rowing Club's competition for the Valuable cup "presented by Mr. W. E. G. Rathbone, one of the club's vicepresidents, takes place on February 1. Twenty-five entries have been received, and good racing may be expected. Spedwell and Matua, tho two 26-footers, had a great " go" at North Shoro last Saturday. On the first round the latter had the best, of it, but onoe the green boat got in the lead she showed her superiority, and Won somewhat easily. What promises to be one. of the best races on the programme of the Anniversary Refratta is the 25-footer yacht race," in which Miro, Matua, and Speedwell will be engaged. Miro a.nd Speedwell are fairly evenly matched, and both crews are very keen in the matter.

Owing' to bad weather, the Anniversary Regatta, which was to ha.ve been held at Wellington oil Thursday, had to be postponed until to-day. Tho principal event in which Aucklanders are interested is the yacht race in which the ex-Auckland " crack" Rainbow, the new Logan-built yacht lorangi, Waitangi, and Maritnna will compete. r St. George's heavy-weight maiden crew are going well in their training, and I expect to see them show'up prominently at the forthcoming regatta. , •' . The programmes of the Anniversary. Regatta will be -ready for issuing to the public on Tuesday morning next.

I am glad to see that the committee of tho Anniversary Regatta have placcd a race for. man-o -war boats on tho programme for Wednesday next. As H.M.s. Ringarooma and Lizard will probably remain in harbour over the regatta, there should bo several boats entered for the event, which will no doubt be ono of the most interesting of the 1 day. The Union Steamship Company have kindly placed their fino steamer Taviuni at the disposal of the committee of the Anniversary Regatta to act as flagship on Wednesday next. Aft©" tho conclusion of tho regatta the steamer will make the usual trip down as .ar as Rangitoto Reef with the visitors. St. George's senior crow will take a deal of beating at tho Auckland Regatta. They have undergone a sound preparation for the race in which they are engaged. Waitiri, Mr. H. 'H. Hayr's new pleasure oil-launch, returned from her first cririso last Sunday night, having been .cruising round Waiheke and vicinity for some days. Mr. Hayr is very well pleased with fch« little boat and her appointments, and her engines drove her along at a good rate of speed. Yachts built by Messrs. Logan Brothers, of Auckland, have been again strongly in evidence at Sydney this season. In the ac© for 30-footers of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron on January 11, Sunbeam, which, it will be remembered, was built for Mr. A. T. Fitter, of Auckland, for the intercolonial championship race,' turned up >'■ the winner, finishing 7m. 4-3s. ahead of Magic, and winning- from Heather, after deducting time allowance, by 2m. 395. , In the Sydney. Ama- ! teur Sailing Club's race on the same day Mercia, another L-oga.n-built boat, won easily from her competitors. PARNELL SAILING CLUB. j The second series of races for the season I of the Parnell Sailing Club will be sailed this afternoon, over tho usual courses. The j first race starts at half-past two o'clock, and competitors ara requested to bo prompt to time. The following are the entries and handicaps for the various events: — 26-footors: Kotiro, scratch; V Ofa, 3m.; Wait.an.gi, 6m. :-..'-22.footers: Waimoa, scratch; Kofcare, 10m.; Merlin, 11m..; ? Mercia, • 24ra. P&tilds: Rambler, scratch, : Tuna, scratch; Boomerang,; lm.; Eka, - 2£m.; Bronzewing, 3m. ' \ <■ Model Yacht : Race: Tutley, Edna, May, Kotiro 11. - j

-NGARUAWAHIA ROWING CLUB.' 1 k§| T For the first time in the history of Avk*. 1 1 land g>g-rowing; j a visit will bo paid by * P orew from Ngaruawahia Rowing Club to com- ■■ ; B pete at tho Auckland Regatta on Wednesday ; i next, and wo- need riot bespeak for them » warm welcome from Auckland oarsmen be. ■ pi cause that is t The visiting crew isliteS 1 ■ the ono that , rowed' a dead-he a;; wath West $1 End's junior crew at the last , Mercer Re- r« ; J gatta, first: winning the,under 10st maiden 3 1 race fan % hour i previously— > record that tha %ll 1 Ngaruawahia Giub and the district have over* '* tl reason to be proud of. They will bo met }>? ~ - B tho Northern Rowing Union and -West End"' U officials on the arrival of tho half-past two 1 train to-day. Their boat came down by the* goods train last night, and will bo 1 wW> Sq ! up to tho West End boathouse this mornin®' ' by a crew from tho latter club. The Ngarua-' wahia oarsmen will 1» honorary, members, ri ~f ' West End Rowing Club during their stay ia • Auckland, arid ! two of ' the crew and the cox- 7 i ; "W s 1 swain will reside in Shell;,* Beach Road, tlia ' - l other two staying with friends in another'' ' 1 part of the city. ' It is the intention of Wo.sk' - * J End officers to take the visitors on a trip tJ ' S the Lake, while an evening at Dix's GaietV"- ; f?'>l Company, as guests of the western club iV | also arranged. ' The Ngaruawahia crew hav« , 1 been entered- for both tho junior races o» : •••? i Wednesday next, and their performance'soo r *L § salt water in a tideway, against their usujl —i rowing on the fresh water WaJkato, with a 2 running stream,, will bo looked "for, with ft great- deal of interest. ' - ' . ' =3 AUCKLAND ANNIVERSARY REGATTA. .1 Tho - Anniversary Regatta takes ' place aa ''"""til 'Wednesday next, and everything - gives pjo- -'•> ' ruise that this, 'our annual aquatic earuivaL | will be very successful. Tho Union Steam- ,4 "- ! if i ship Company's fino steamer Taviuni has : . | j • been kindly placed at the disposal of tho * j committee to act as flagship for the day, and: ~'\i « will accommodate a large nuiflber of visitors ; : v,.-f on her roomy decks._ The committeearoS?l working cneregtically to ensure success, and : it only requires fine weather to make the '* f. day a most enjoyable one. A meeting of the j committee was held at the Waitemata Hotelii: last night to receive further entries for the various events on the programme, a large number being received. / The following is V t list of tho events and the "full entries for tho . f same: — i >■: v,- " ' : Scow Race: Pearl, Kahu.. * ' * Open Handicap Yacht Race: Ida, Kotirij Moan a, Halcyon, Ladyo Wibna, Thetis,' ; Rangat-ira.-' • ■■' V' > I Fishing Boats (handicap): Kestrel, Cooee, % 4k Little Jim, Dolphin. ; > i j. > ■ ! Allcomers' Crusiers' Handicap: Mabel j Wairere, Irish Lily, Corinaa, > Huia, Peri, Ma*' haki, Amua, ; Vanora, Mizpah. , lt , v ' : • Half-decked Centreboard Yachts, 26ft over- i all and under: Ivotiro, Sicely, Flora, Ofa ."■! Konene. • ' < Yachts, 25ft linear rating: Speedwell, Ma-| tun, Miro, Eulalie. i Fishing Boats, centreboard, tuck stern! (handicap): Shamrock, Zcalandia,Annie.' f : .. : Spray, Florence. • ■ ,• 1 Decked or Half-decked Boats (22ft overall and under): r : Mercia, Kotare, Ruru, Scout, 4p Merlin," Waimoa, Welcome Jack, Clarice, J Te Ata, Maecotte, Venture,_ Etta. • ; r f'\ Pat-ikis: Tuna, Boomerang, , Eka, :■ Kanga-v v roo, Rambler. > . ; J Maiden Gigs (under lOst): West End R.C., N 1 St. George's R.C. (two crews), ■ Waitemata ' ' B.C. ■ , ; / Naval Cutter Race: Hinemoa (Auckland), Volunteer (Devonport)." ' Maiden Gig 3 (open): Auckland R. 0., West End R.C., Waitemata 8.C., North iy S Shore R.C., St. George's R.C. • Whalcboat Race (allcomers): Hr.uraki R.C.| (three crews). ' . '■ 'J Junior Gigs (under - . lOst): Ngaruawahia! ~ -,I> R.C., West End R.C., St. George's R.C.: (two crows), Waitemata B.C. ; . ' Junior Gigs (open): Ngaruawahia.. R. 0.,; - Auckland R.C., West End R.C., Waitemata' l - » B.C. Senior Gigs: Auckland R. 0., St. George's l R.C., Waitemata B.C. jfe ' Stump Outriggers: A, Tucker (Auckland), A. G. Busby (St. George's), Richards (St. George's). ' **' 15 Costume Whaleboat Race: Widow O'Brien and family. Model Yacht Race: Tutley, Baby, Mavis 11., Berta, Clematis, Akaraua, May, Heather \ Belle, St. Crispin, Boom, Akarana : 1.,. 'jfe. Rangatira If., Ida 11., . Edna, Ladybird, -"V Shamrock 111. Lynx. , - ===========