AQUATICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13095, 7 February 1906, Page 7

AQUATICS.

AUCKLAND ROWING ASSOCIATION. \

A meeting of the Auckland Rowing Association was held on Monday night, when largo entries were received for the rowing events of the association's picnic and gala, to be held at Kohhnarama on Saturday, the 17th inst. It lias been decided to engage a brass band to enliven the proceodings during the afternoon. Given a fine day there is every probability of a re. cord crowd gathering at Kohimarama to witness the unique sight of rowing races, every 10 minutes during the afternoon. The ladies will be well looked after, it having been decided by the committee to supply hot water free to ail present, so that parties may enjoy afternoon tea in the shade of the bush. The fine steamers Albatross and Kestrel have been chartered to leave the Devonport ferry tee at a-quarter past ten a.m., a-quarter past twelve p.m., a-quar< ter past one p.m., and a-quarter past two p.m. ROTORUA CARNIVAL. Advices received from Rotorua to the effect that a regatta. will be held on March 7 has caused increased energy and vim to be put into the work that the various clubs' crews have been doing. All the clubs have full crews in training, and competition promises to be exceptionally keen. The following programme has been' approved by the Auckland Rowing Association :— Maidens (tinder lOst), £10 10s; maidens (heavyweight), £10 10s; and the Dewar shield, valued at 100 guineas; juniors (under lOst), £12 12s; juniors (heavyweight),' £12 12s; seniors, £14 14s; with £2 2s as second prize in each event. : THE YACHT VERA. At the end of November last the. yacht Vera, bound from Southampton to Australia, called at Capetown. She left the English port about two months earlier, having made the run to Capetown in 69 clays. The Vera is an auxiliary yacht of 180 tons yacht measurement and 95 tons register, and is owned by Mr. 11. Button. ,-Sho was' built at Messrs. Summers and Payne's yard, Southampton, 30 years ago. She is roomy and comfortable, with a large airy saloon. The state-rooms are fitted out in cedar, mahogany, and maple, with grained and varnished panels. Though not built primarily for racing, the Vera is a fast boat, capable, it is said, of jailing 14 knots under full sail. Under steam the yacht is equal to five, knots an hour only. To make room for theboilers, engines, and coal bunkers some of the state-rooms were abolished. The capacity of the bunkers is only five tons, but this will suffice in ordinary weather tor nearly three weeks. Tho present voyage is being, performed under sail alone. Captain Valentine is bringing the Vera to Australia, and has, in addition to the mate, steward, and boatswain, a crew of six. The voyage to Capetown was negotiated without mishap, one or two gales being encountered, but weathered safely. Captain Valentino expects to make the run to Adelaide in about 50 days. Tho yacht will cruise, around the Australian coast, and afterwards proceed to the- islands. Lynx. i