AQUATICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14328, 26 March 1910, Page 10

AQUATICS.

YACHTING. The beautiful weather of Thursday gave yachtsmen great hopes of enjoyable Easter cruises. The wind was 100 light for any definite decision to be made as fo destination. but generally it was considered tho smaller craft would patronise the nearer resorts, such as Drunken Bay. and those round Waihcko Island, while the bigger boats would go farther afield, the Barriers and Knwau being generally accepted as the destination for these boats. Almost every boat, that could sail and could muster a crew was off the moorings either Thursday night or yesterday morning, arid those in commission that- were left on the moorings will probably leave this afternoon or evening. No lovelier sight could bo imagined than that witnessed on Thursday evening, the yachts as they left their moorings for the Easter cruises drifting away on an ebb tide, and before a light, south-east breeze under full sail. The bright moonlight threw the .boats, into sharp relief on the placid waters of the harbour. 'ilie effect obtained was picturesque. The evening was, to use an oftquoted expression, :l as bright as day, ' and yachtsmen must indeed count themselves lucky to commence the holidays with such fair weather conditions. The race for the Dunning eupjast Saturday. under the auspices of the. North Shore Yacht Club, produced a fine contest, about 30 boats facing tho starter. The event was won by Commodore Willcinson s Thistle, and the cup now becomes his own property. The start of the race provided an exceptional spectacle. The Devonport Yacht Club also sailed off a handicap race on Saturday, and this, added to the Ponsonhy Cruising Club's race, and the Northcote regatta, made the harbour seem full of yachts at times. Tho strong breeze blowing gave the necessary " life " to the picture. MOTOR BOATING. The majority of power boats were making tracks seaward on Thursday evening for the Easter cruises. It was a glorious night, brilliant moonlight, smoothest of seas, and air liko rare old wine. The harbour on Thursday evening resembled a procession of perambulating chemists' shops, the continuous string of launches with green, red, and white lights showing reminding one of the usual .appearance of apothecaries' establishments?. Messrs. Alexander and Montgomery's fine launch Ivarqfo and Mr. W. C. Whitley's up-to-date cruiser Matareka left in company for a cruise to the Great Barrier. Messrs. Seagar'a steam launch Rehutai and the Seabird left, during the week for a six-days' cruise in the irulf, while other launches left for places unknown, the destination not being decided on until tho state of the weather at- starting was known. The annual ocean race from Sydney to Newcastle and back was set down to be held yesterday. The race carries with it tho right to hold tho " Rudder" cup for a period of 12 months. Tho present holder of the cup is Mr. C. Millar, whose launch Glengarry won it last year in a gale.