AQUATICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 13990, 20 February 1909, Page 8

AQUATICS.

YACHTING

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Sir Thomas .T. Lipton, whoso enthusiastic interest in yachting has been demonstrated by his repeated efforts to win for England the America Cup. has donated a silver cup, valued at SO guineas, to the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, for open competition amongst tho yachtsmen of that State. Sir

Thomas Lipton lias expressed a desire that the trophy be manufactured in Australia, ot Australian silver, and he has entrusted the work to Messrs. H. Newman and Sons. jewellers. Victorians have come to regard Sayonara as invincible in local waters. This lias been forced home on them by her splendid victories over the South Australian crack. Alexa, which was also designed by Fife, of lairlic, and the Sydnev champions, Bona and Kawhiti, the latter being specially deigned and built by Logan, of New Zealand for the purpose of taking the Sayonara Cup bade to New South Wales. The much-talkod-of 40-mile race for the handsome prizes given by Mr. H. Spittle, of Geclong, was sailed on January 30, over a course from Williamstown to Geelong. The result of the race was that Genosta secured first prize. Fancy second, and Solution third. Apart from Sayonara's fine performance, the next best was that of Mr. Ogden's little 16 footer Solution. The boat was designed, built, and sailed by her owner. Starting off with the limit handicap, she covered the 40 miles in Bh. 16m. 355.. and secured third prize. When the Sayonara started off there was not a sail in sight, but two hours later she overhauled the Erie. Half-an-hour later the Thistle was left, astern, and then, one by one. she overhauled and left, behind the other yachts. _ She made one short board after leaving Williamstown, and then sailed in almost a direct course to Geelong. Her average for the whole trip was eight miles an hour. The performance was, therefore, remarkable, especially as she had to beat nearly all the way. The motor launch race from Williamstown to Geclong on January 30 was won by the lona. with Cleopatra second and Sunbeam third. ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON. Mr. C. E. Horton and party returned last week-end from a cruise to tho Bay of Plenty in the Ariki. Tho cruise extended as far as Cape Runaway. Tho party did not land at White Island, as intended, owing to the north-east wind. A thoroughly enjoyable time was spent. Messrs. .Montgomery 'and Alexander's fine launch Knroro is expected home to-morrow. The launch party were at Mangonui last Saturday, and reported themselves again by telegram on Thursday, having at that time worked their wav down to Whangarei Heads. DEVONPORT YACHT CLUB. The next cruising race to Hauroto Bay takes place next. Saturday, and is being looked forward to by owners. The points for the club trophy have reached an interesting stage, every boat requiring to start in order to keep its position. The Waione leaves for a fortnight's crir.se up North to-day. and will go as far as Russell, and work back. Providing the ■weather is suitable, the Poor Knights and Hen and Chickens will be. explored. The Daisv left last Saturday for the Parrier with Mr. and Mrs. Fenu on board. They intend to be away for a couple of weeks, and may make Bay of Islands, providing favourable winds are met with. The Ngatira returned from her cruise North on Sunday last, and, considering tho easterly weather, had a very enjoyable trip. ' She left the moorings on January 30, making Kaivrt the same day, Tutukaka on Sunday night, and Bay of Islands on Monday afternoon, after experiencing a dirty sea off Cape Brett. The launch Eliza was sighted on Sunday off Sail Rock. After a few days spent hi the Bay of Islands, Russell was left on the 7th for Whangaruru, with a light easterly, arriving in that fine harbour at four p.m. Two most enjoyable days were spent there, the natives being very liberal with their gilts of fruit, etc.. and conducting the party to some interesting spots around the district. From Whangaruru to Whangarei Heads was the most enjoyable sail on the trip. Old Sol being responsible for one red nose, two cracked lips, and one scorched bacK. Leaving Whangarei Heads on Friday, at eight a.m., with very light airs, very little progress had been made when the sun set, but from then till midnight a heavy southeast gale was met with, thunder and lightning, with heavy rain squalls, making a very uncomfortable night's sail. The wind dropped as suddenly as it rose, leaving just a light air to bring tho boat along to Kawau Island, which" was made at five a.m. on Saturday, just 21 hours from leaving Whangarei Heads. The crew turned ia for a few hours, and the rest of the day was spent making things ship shape after the blow. On Sunday morning a light northerly took the boat along to Whangaparoa. The wind then came out from the southward, but fell away light, the moorings not being picked up till eight p.m. The Iris was at Putiki Bay on Sunday. Mr. Olliver and family have been camped there for a few weeks, several good trips being made from there to the different bays round Waiheke. The Kotiri was at Kawau last Sunday, the crew reporting a very pleasant weekend. At a committee meeting held last Friday, the hon. secretary and treasurer placed before the committee a rough balance-sheet and statement, showing that the club was in a most flourishing condition, a state of affairs which even - member of the Devonport Yacht Club should be proud of.

PONSONBY CRUISING CLUB. ' Most of the Ponsonby Cruising Club's boats, after the cruising race to the Victoria Club's picnic at Orakoi, last Saturday, continued en to Station Bay, and spent an enjoyable evening, and on Sunday dropped out behind Rakino and got some splendid fishing. The Alva returned on Sunday from a 16 days' cruise, having experienced bad weather for cruising, but still the crow had a good time. VICTORIA CRUISING CLUB. The Victoria Cruising Club -will hold their second cruising race to-day. The following are the entries and handicaps: — First Class: Sadie, on wind, scratch, off wind scratch; Miro, scratch and scratch; Glady, 6m. and 5m.; Lina, 11m. and 7m.; Encounter, 12m. and 4m. ; Konini, 16m. and 12m.

Second Class: Mowai, scratch and scratch; Hetty, 4m. and 3m. : Seabird, 11m. and Bm. ; Roma. 14m. and 10m. ; Fairy Belle, 16m. and lQfn. ; Sceptre, 14m. and Bm. ; Countess, 18ro. and 12m. ; Avona, 18m. and Urn.

Course: From north side flagship direct to Home Bay. keeping outside all fairway marks, and finishing between markboat and eastern point. Race to start at two p.m. Both classes together.

On Monday night, at seven o'clock, theladies' dinghy nice, which was postponed at the picnic, will be rowed off from St. Mary's Point.

WAITEMATA DINGHY SAILING CLUB.

The Waitemata Dinghy Sailing Club will hold one of the fortnightly contests to-day, starting from the cable wharf at three p.m., over the usual club course. The probable starters are Dixie, Olivcne, Arawa, Tamure, Rita, Lone Hand, and Kcepa. MOTOR BOATING. The New Zealand (Power Boa-, Association will bold a series of races today, under the new handicap rules, viz.: — Ea'ct boatowner to handicap his own boat, and should the distance bo covered by any boat in less than the time declared, including a 2j per cent, margin, such boat to be disqualified. Commodore A. Brett's launch Alleyno will act as flagship. The first race will start at two p.m. At 3.15 an exhibition of speed will bo given by Mr. J. Koid between his launch Scabird and his fastspeed launch. Following are entries and handicaps: — Under Seven knots, distance b\ knots, to start at two p.m.: (63) Sport, scratch; (66) Edina, Im.; (57) Winnie, 2m. 305.; (10) Eagle, 4m.; (79) Cygnet, 4m. 305.; (29) Edna, 6m.; (77) Nelson, Bm. 30s. Under Eight Knots, distance 13 knots, to start at 2.30 mm.: (45) Winsome, scratch; (68) Alice, 205.; (55) Maroro, 3m.: (52) Floral, 4m. 405.; (70) Buffalo, 4m. 405.; (44) Marere, 5m.; (58) Vaiti, 9m. Under Six Knots, distance 6j knots, to start at 2.45 p.m.: (13) Ina, scratch; (75) Perfection, Im. ROWING. The championship regatta at Mercer, for which so much preparation was made, is now history, the reading of which must bo pleasant to Auckland oarsmen. The care taken by the Executive Committee of the Auckland Rowing Association in making arrangements to secure the smooth running of the gathering was evident on Saturday, the. whole function running without a hitch. The

executive officials-Messrs. W. O. Mason (chairman), Mr. W. W. Benjamin (secretary), and Mr. Boston (treasurer)— all did fine work, neither sparing time nor trouble in the endeavour to make tho regatta one of which Auckland rowing men would bo proud to refer to in years to come. Tho pretty surroundings of tho Mercer course we.ro enhanced by the presence of so many ladies, whoso summer frocks added a touch of light colour to the vivid green of the willow-covered bank?. Here and there were small groups of -Maoris squatted in characteristic native fashion, tho wnbines robed in the gaudiest, of colours. Of the racing, tho champion fours was tho outstanding feature. It was but in the fitness of tilings that, the largest prize should produce the greatest race of the day, and it was also gratifying that the race should be won by a local crew. The struggle between Blenheim and Waitemata over the last, halfmile will long l>o remembered by those fortunate enough to be present.. Blenheim had sufficient lead at one stage to cross in front of Waitemata to the far side of the stream. The move was, in the opinion of some, a tactical blunder, for the crew got into slack water, whereas tho course down the centre of the stream was in the full current. Over tho last, half-mile the struggle between the crews was the greatest., and Blenheim made up a lot'of leeway. Waitemata crew were all out, Maguire at No. 3 pulling a line our, while Herring at stroke, though screwing a little, showed what a staunch finisher he is. The crew was deservedly complimented on the fine finish, and Dr. Gore-Gillon, who lias been lately putting some polish on the crew, was highly complimented on their success. The time was very fast, oven with a threeknot current, but one hardly likes to compare the crew with the great four which represented Wellington Club so well a few years back—Bridson, Rose, Sullivan, and McKay. They were a famous four, a magnificent team of rowers, and probably the greatest crew yet seen out since the institution of the champion fours. That the Waitemata crew should have been compared to them by visiting oarsmen is certainly a tribute.

The single sculls championship also came to Auckland, being annexed by C. E. Stone, of St. George's Club. The fouls which occurred in the race may or may not have affected the result. Stone rowed a fine race, and I am inclined to think would have won in any circumstance. He sits a boat nicely, gets in plenty of power, and with good coaching should improve sufficiently to hold the title against all-coiners for years to come.

The Union (Christchurch) pair, Fry and O'Brien, winners of tho champion pair oars and double sculls, are a good brace of Ixiatmen. In the pairs they were superior in every sense to the Wanganui crew. It must be conceded, however, in regard to the double sculls that their river knowledge won the race for them. They steered a true course, while their opponents were see-saw-ing about the river. The North Shore club has in Logan and Ollivc a champion doublescull crew, could they but devote the time to practice and training. It is a striking commentary that after only being three times together in a boat they rowed within two lengths of the winners.

The steering generally was bad on Saturday, and old oarsmen consider that efficiency is being sacrificed for weight. It is almost impossible for a small boy, sst in weight, to see round the bodies of a row of four men. The council of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association was represented at the regatta by Mr. W. Coffey, of Wellington. Speaking to Mr. Coffey after the regatta. he said that it was one of the best-managed regattas he had attended, and that the officials of the Auckland Rowing Association deserved every credit for the complete success of the function. The Waitemata crew, he added, deserved their win, their effort being very fine. The Mercer course was, in his opinion, a good one. and he was surprised to find so far inland such a splendid stretch of wafer. The West End Rowing Club is holding a set of "trial fours" off the clubhouse today for trophies donated by Mr. H. Schmidt, vice-president. The first race starts at 2.30! Afternoon tea will be provided for members and guests. Ltxx.