AUCKLAND HAPPENINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19452, 7 October 1926, Page 16

AUCKLAND HAPPENINGS.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. ! HARASSING THE JUDGES. BY SPINDRIFT. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Ponsonby Cruising Club, Mi'. E. J. Kelly, who lias occupied the position of timekeeper for the opening and final combined cruising races for some years past, appealed to cohi&etitors to give his assistants and himself an opportunity to work out the results before " rushing the judges boat." "In the final combined cruising race last season," he said " we had to make 278 additions and corrections before we could arrive at the results owing to the large number of entries received. This took us two hours and no sooner had the various races finished when we were besieged by yachtsmen inquiring which boat had won the race." Mr. Kelly concluded his remarks by asking competitors during the coming season to bear this matter in mind. An order for a 42ft. x 9ft, passenger boat for the Government Tourist Department has been placed with Mr. C. Bailey, junior. She will have a compromise stern and will lie fitted with a 30 h.p. Gardiner engine, burning crude oil. A suggestion that the mutual handicapping system for yachts should be given a trial in one of the Ponsonby Cruising Club's classes this season t did not meet with a very favourable reception af, the annual meeting of the club last week. The commodore, Mr. W. S. Goodison, explained that Dr. Stuart Moore, who was very anxious to introduce the system, was unable to attend the meeting and, therefore, could not explain it to those present, although he had previously placed it before a general meeting of the club. Sir. E. J. Kelly said tho system had been tried in Auckland some years ago and had not proved a success. Personally he thought the club should stick to the usual procedure of handicapping. Several other speakers agreed with Sir. Kelly and the meeting decided to elect handicappers for the various classes as usual. Launch for Zane Grey. The 35ft. x Bft. 6in. launch which is being built by Messrs. Collings and Bell for Mr. Zane Grey is to be named after the author. She is to bo used by Mr. Grey for deep-sea fishing up North, and is to be powered with a six-cylinder Redwing engine, fitted with an electric starter. The boat will be easily handled by one man, all the controls being operated from the cockpit, even to the' starting of' the engine. The launch is now plankea and timbered and tho engine is waiting to be fitted., Another launch, similar to tho Zane Grey, has been completed and will be taken over by her owner on his arrival from England. The boat is also to be used for deep-sea fishing. A 38ft. x lift, keel yacht has just been completed by Mr. C. Bailey for a resident of Whangarei, who intends using her in the fishing industry. She has a straight stem and a tuck stern and resembles a big mullet boat. The new craft, which is fitted with an engine, will be launched this week. Owing to the unfavourable weather last week-end very little work was carried out on the yachts and launches hauled up on tho various beaches in Auckland. Several boats have already taken the water and a number of others are almost ready for launching. An effort is being made by a good many owners to get their boats in commission so that they will get the benefit of tho holiday on Labour Day, which will be ccbbrated on Monday, October 25. The Last of the Maroro. The 35ft. keel yacht Maroro, which was formerly ono of Auckland's bestknown fishing boats, is shortly to be broken up. This boat was built 30 years ago for Mr. J. Quinn by Mr. C. Bailey, junior, and in spite of her age the kauri planking in the hull is in a wonderful state of preservation. It is interesting to record that the actual time occupied in building the -Maroro was only six weeks, the work being parried out by Mr. Bailey and two apprentices. The old boat is at present bauled up in Freeman's Bay, where she will be broken up. Tho lead was removed from the keel some years ago. The Kelvin sleeve engine is becoming as popular with owners of commercial craft as it is with owners of pleasure boats. Among recent installations is a B4 30 h.p. model in a passenger launch built for Mr. J. Edgar, of Queenstown. This boat is intended for use on Lake Wakatipu and will be a welcome addition to the lake fleet of boats. On her trial run recently the engine gave every satisfaction and showed a good turn of speed. Messrs. Batty and Wall, of Haapai, have just installed a B2 model in one of their launches, while Mr. L. Snell, of Helensviile, has taken delivery of an A2, twocylinder model, Kelvin sleeve. The King's Yacht Britannia. The alterations made to tho King's yacht Britannia last year have greatly improved her speed in light to moderate weather. Racing in the Clvde this summer she secured two brilliant victories, defeating such boats as White Heather, Shamrock. Lulworth and Westward ou both occasions. A start on the new 14ft. Jellicoe boat for Southland was made during the week by Mr. 0. Bailey, jun. The keel has been laid and planking operations will be commenced next week An order for a 45ft. launch has been placed with Mr. R. Lang by Mr. R. Mevnell, of Devonport. A start has already been made on tho new craft. Mr. E. 11. Davis, owner of Viking, who usually has her painted black, has decided t.o have her painted whito this season. She has been burnt off and has received her first coat of white. The Richmond Cruising Club has appointed the following racing officials for its 1926-27 season Sailing committee, Messrs. F. Downs, 0. Goodwin, V. Riley, T. Bell, R. Judd; starter harbour races, Mr. J. Longbottom; judge, Mr. T. L. Thompson; timekeepers, Messrs. O. N. Rifey. W. Bailey; judge and timekeepers for cruising races, Messrs. A. and C. Saunders ; handicappers : L class, Mr. T. L. Thomson; N class, Mr. V. Riley; V class, Mr. R. Hammond ; S. class, Mr. C. Brown; Y rlass, Mr. 0. Goodwin; T class, Mr. T. Bell; hon. solicitor, Mr, L. G. Simpson NEW OUTBOARD MOTOR. An outboard motor designed along original lines has made its appearance on tho Continent. It is a single-cylinder two-cycle engine fitted with a float feed carburetter. Tho crankcaso is immediately above tho engine, with the cylinder beneath, whilo tho drive is taken to tho propeller by a roller chain running in a pair of tubes; rated at 4 h.p. this unit appears to be mooting with "• certain amount of success.