YACHTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19061, 4 July 1925, Page 15

YACHTING.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. SPEED-BOAT RACING EVENTS. BY SPINDEtFT. Somo time ago Mr. A. T. Bell, of Auckland, who has recently built a speed-boat fitted with a 90 h.p. engine, wrote to the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association asking if tho association had made any arrangements for speed-boat racing at the Exhibition regatta. A reply has now been received to the effect that a tentative programme for tho regatta has been drawn up, and that £IOO has been suggested as the first prizo for the speedboat race. This, however, has yet to bo agreed to by the Regatta Committee, which would be formed very shortly. With the idea of further inducing speedboat owners to visit Dunedin for the regatta the Otago Association has decided to write to the steamship companies and the Railway Department in regard to securing concessions on boats making the journey south. In addition to Mr. Bell several other owners of speed-boats in Auckland are considering the question of competing at tho regatta. Speaking at a gathering of yachtsmen in Dunedin recently Mr. C. H. Palmer, of Auckland, paid a great compliment to G. A. Wiseman by stating that tho Sanders Cup was won in Auckland through Wiseman's ability only. He would tell the yachtsmen of Auckland on his return that if they wanted to win the Sanders Cup they would all have to pull together the same as tho yachtsmen of Otago were doing. Tho Akaraua Yacht Club will hold its monthly dance in the New Zealand Power Boat Association's clubhouse next Saturday. Tho club's prize-night will take tho form of a smoke concert, which will be held in tho Masonic Hall, Princes Street, on August 1. The 55ft. launch Niagara, which was formerly used in the hire service, is being fitted out as a pleasure boat by Mr. S. Ford. All the decking has Lwen removed, and a new raised cabin top and deck will bo fitted. Tho boat will also liavo three separate cabins, and when completed sho should mako a very comfortable cruiser. The launch Deben, hauled up at Lane's, is having a bridgo deck fitted over tho engine. This will give sufficient room inside for an up-to-date pantry, etc. The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron will hold its annual prize night on Thursday, July 23. The Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, will distribute the prizes. On the samo evening tho Ponsonby Cruising Club will hold its annual prize night and smoke concert in the clubhouse, St. Mary's Bay.