AQUATICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15237, 26 February 1913, Page 10

AQUATICS.

CRUISING IN THE NORTH.

A VISIT TO THE POOR KNIGHTS.

Quito a record in the direction of low benzine consumption was put up by tho launch Silens during her cruise in the North. The Silens left Auckland with 20 cases of benzine, and proceeded direct to Mangonui, subsequently visiting Taipa, a beautiful spot which is only too seldom visited by yachting and launch enthusiast's who make tho northern cruise. After an enjoyable stay at Taipa, she returned to Mangonud, leaving later for Whaugaroa. The next place visited was Russell, where perhaps the toost pleasant time of the whole cruise was spent. Under the guidance of that popular Russell yachtsman, Mr. J. C. Martin, the crew visited the numerous beauty spots in the harbour, and, to use tho words of one member, "they were quite enchanted." Leaving Russell, the Silens proceeded to Deepwater Cove, and then to Whangamumu, Wha' curort!, and Helena Bay. A day was spent at tho Poor Knights, and the Silens was then headed towards Tutaknka. Hero also the crew had a very enjoyable time, being very hospitably treated by Mr. J. Ferguson. Whaaigarei was the" next point of call, the lien and Chickens, Omaha Covo, Big Omaha, Matakana, Kawau, Mahurangi, and Canoe Rock being visited on the homeward cruise down the coast. When Auckland was* again reached it was found that the launch had consumed only nine and a-half cases of benzine, this "averaging better tha.n a tin for four hours.

Mr. P. Browne, owner of the Silens, speaks in the highest terms of the beauties of the Poor Knights. These islands, which stand lonely guard off the northern coast, are, Mr.. Browne thinks, but too little visited by those cruising in the North. A visit to the caves alone will amply repay any launchman or yachtsman. Sorao are largo enough to admit of a launch exploring their interiors, and once inside many beautiful scenes are unfolded. Overhead one gaze* on almost every colour of the rainbow, and draping the walls are many varieties of beautiful ferns, while the water below is so beautifully clear that the movement of not a single fish escapes notice. Big fish, little fish, fish of all shapes and colours, dart to the right and to the left as the boat slowly advances, but one is so impressed with, the wonderful beauty of the cavern that hooks and lines are untliought of. One cave in particular possessed a very fine echo, and Mr. Browne compares it in volume to thai in the Cathedral in the famous Jenolin Caves. On shore, instead of what is popularly imagined to be bleak and barren rock, the undergrowth and vegetation is very dense. The islands seem to be the home of thousands of paroquets, while the full-toned song of the bell-bird is also to be .frequently heard. The tuatara. lizard was also in evidence. The Poor Knights, of course, are infinitely more easy to visit by launch than by' yacht, though numbers of yachtsmen have paid visits to them. Mr. Browne and his party fortunately experienced perfect weather, and hence had every opportunity of thoroughly inspecting the' many places of interest. Though a day was spent at the islands, a much longer period could be put in inspecting their beauties, and Mr. Browne intends at a future date to pay another visit to them.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. The new launch Aumoe, owned by Mr. Brookfield, of St. Heliers Bay, is a very handsome craft. She is a very commodious vessel, her length being* 42ft, and her beam Bft 6in. Her power is supplied by a 30 h.p., four-cycle, four-cylinder, sleeve valve, silent Advance engine- Mr. Brookfield is very well satisfied with his new vessel, which has behaved most satisfactorily since the time she was put in the water for her trial spin. The engine runs splendidly, and the rattle and banging which is associated with the usual type of trappet valve engines is reduced to a. minimum. The sleeve-valve engine has a constant rotating motion at a quarter the speed of the crank shaft, leaving only the piston and connecting rods to be reciprocating parts- The engine, in addition to her silent running, has also proved an economical one, and, further, does not cause any smell of gas in the cabin of the launch. The trial run of the vessel was rather a severe one, as within an hour after making a short trip to Rangitoto, she left with a party of ten persons; on a four days' cruise round Waiheke and Kawau. The engine, it may be mentioned, was invented and manufactured, part by part, by two of the owner's sons. The New Zealand Power-boat Association will hold its third cruising race of the season on Saturday. Vessels in the A, B, and C and trading classes will be competing. The race will be over the New Zealand Power-boat Association's course.

The yacht Heartsease returned to Auckland hist week-end after a fortnight's cruise in the North. 'Hie Heartsease visited Waipiro Bay, Russell, Manahora Bay, Whangaruru, \Yhangarei, Port. Fitzroy, Cape Colville, Port Jackson, and Waiheko. J Cruising races for yachts »and launches will be held on Saturday to Awarca Bay by the Ponsonby Yacht and Launch Cruising Club. The yacht race will start at 2.45 p.m., and a quarter of an hour later the launch event will commence- An entertainment will be> held at Awaroa Bay in the evening. «f The latest addition to Wellington's fleet, of pleasure craft is a ha.ndsomo motorlaunch built by Messrs. Ceilings and Bell, of Popsonhy, Auckland, for Mr. Thos. Ronayne, General Manager of New Zealand Railways. The length of the boat is 30ft overall, her beam being 7ft 9in, and her draught 3ft. Sho is constructed on the single "skin" principle, the timber being heart of kauri. Her keel is of jarrah. Sho has a clipper bow, and is a handsome, roomy, seaworthy little craft. Th© cabin, which is nicely fitted up, can accommodate live persons. The cockpit is self-emptying. The launch is propelled by a 12 h.p. Domarj engine, which drives her 12 miles an hour. Sho has a mast to enable 'jib and a lug-sail to bo hoistedTho Richmond Cruising Club will hold races on Saturday in the 26ft, 22ft, and 20ft closes. The contest in the. 22ft classwill probably decide as to which ljoat tak.es tho dinghy presented by Mr. Treya-rthon. Considerable interest is being evinced by yachtsmen generally in th-o forthoorrjinfr race for the Maeky Cup. It is expected that a very keen raeo will result for possession of this valuable trophy. The Raweno, i Ngatira, and Waion© each has a win to its credit, and should either of thoso vessels win this year's race like trophy will 'be won outright.