YACHTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17255, 3 September 1919, Page 10

YACHTING.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The various yacht and launch clubs are now preparing for their annual meeting*, and in several instances dates have been decided upon. The New Zealand Power-boat Association wiii noid its anaua.l nieounK on \Veonesaay. Sep*wal>er 17, ana the iouooiure Yacht and Launch Cruising Club on September 18. Ttie North Shore Sncht Uiuo, me Kicnniouui ttuisiig Club, and the Koyal hew ieaiana Vocnt Squadron will aleo noid their annual meetings in. fccptomDer. The Victoria Cruising Club has already heid its annual meeting, and a special meeting has been called lor this evening to consitter the Quest. of fixing the annual subscription and the fee for the use of the club's lockers. In addition to the sales of the big keelers. Ariki and 'Jhelma. already reported in these columns, the keel yscht-s Laaye Wilma, Victory, iNgaura, Mahaki, and Peri have changed hands recently, and whi ail bo seen afloat this season. In* new o«mer of Ladye Wilms, is Lieutenant 0. Baesett, V.C., formerly owner of the Peri. It is many years Since .uadye vviima raced in the Royal New Zealand, Ksquatiron, but this season will see her trying conclusions with the squadron boats. The Victory, which ia now owned by Mr. H. George, iormerly owner of the 26-iooter Celox, has had her engine removed, and she is no longer an auxiliary cruiser. Her" presence wall be welcomed by the Nor;h Shore Yacht Club, where she will have an opportunity of meeting Ilex, Heartsease, Little Jim, Ngatira, and other keel boats belonging to this club. Mr. A- Parker is the new owner of the Ngatira. The big keel yacht Heartsease, owned by Mr. W. Wilson, is on the sa»e list, it bains the intention of her owner to take a holiday in Australia, this season. Negotiations tor the disposal of the Heartsease are now in progress. Mr. W. R- Ingram has had a new mast imported for his fine yacht lies, which is now undergoing repairs to her hull, which was damaged in a gale some months ago. Repairs to Sir. IK". R. Wilson's Ariki haTe also bees, effected, and painting operations hat* been commenced. She will be seen out with a new suit of sails this season. In the centre-beard classes there is every promise of keen racing. In almost every instance all the boats that were laid up coring the war will take the water, and at least on* new 26-footer is expected to make her appearance this reason, in addition to three or {oar 23-fooiers. The open boats will play an Important part on the various programmes, as also will the launches. As regards the latter, a number of new craft will be seen on tho Waitemata this year, including & 40-footer, a 43-footer. and a. 36ft launch, and a nutmber of smaller ones, varying from 22fi to 80ft. The New Zealand Power-boat Association, which specially catena Sot power-boats, has already received a largo number of applications . for membership, and. in order to cope with the increased membership, the association has decided to erect a number of new lockers at the clubhouse. These will undoubtedly be a, great boon to launchowners Mr. J W Prater, secretary to the Eoyal iNew Zealand Yacht Squadron, has received notification from the Admiralty to the effect that it has been decided to allow the squadron to fly the special ensign held by that body under general warrant from the Admiralty. When tnje war broke out the use of this ensign was prohibited by the Admiralty