NEWS AND NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20074, 11 October 1928, Page 18

NEWS AND NOTES.

FIXING DATES FOR SEASON. The annual meeting of the Auckland Yacht and Motor-Boat Association will bo held next Tuesday. In all probability the dates for the 1928-29 racing season will bo allotted at this meeting. The questio' nwhether it is safe to place a boat capable of doing 55 m.p.h. in tho hands of a novice is now exercising the minds of some of the motor-boating fraternity in tho United States. This has been brought about through a certain firm having guaranteed its standard runabout .a speed of 55 m.p.h. Tho boats are now on the market and anybody, whether lie has handled a boat before or not, may therefore purchase such a craft without tho necessity of demonstrating that it is safe for him to do so. The following sub-committees and racing officials liavo been appointed by the Akarana Yacht Club for its 192829 season: Sailing committee, Messrs. G. Grimmer, A. Brand, E. B. Webster, G. S. Miller, T. McKav, F. W. Jeffer, H. W. Howell, W. A. Wilkinson and T. McKnight; House committee: Messrs. Miller, T. Roswc-11 (secretary), E. Edgcumbe, J. Skelton, H. Smith, G. E. Laycock, H. W. Howell, T. McKay (chairman), and F. W. Jeffers; building and finance committee: Messrs. E. B. Webster (chairman), G. E. Laycock (secretary), L. tfleard, G. Grimmer, G. S. Miller, 11. Smith, A. liraund, T. McKay, F. W. Jeffers, and 11. W. Howell; outboard motor-boat committee: Messrs. W. A. Wilkinson, L. Slericker, F. Chivers, R. Shepliard, and T. McKnight; Ladies committee: Mesdames G. S. Miller, L. Heard, E. B. Webster, T. McKay, A. Baund, T. Boswell, F. W. Jeffers and the Misses N. Hanlon and M. Ratcliffe; handicappers (keel vachts): Messrs. Wilkinson and Laycock ; it and J classes, Mr. A. Braund; L class, Mr. T. McKnight: N class, Mr. C. Chapman, V class, Mr. Miller; S class, Mr. Chapman, T and X classes, Mr. Wilkinson, "i class, Mr. Miller.

Tho 16ft. outboard runabout Zel, owned bv Mr. L. Palmer, has been purchased by Mr. E. Maud. "Mr. John Clark's launch Princess which spent last season on the beach, is now being recommissioned and will be put afloat at an early date. The 28;t. launch Haku, owned by Mr. J. Richardson, of Papakura, is to be equipped with an A 4 model KelvinSleeve. Her owner expects to have his boat in commission about the middle of next month. Mr. P. A. Monk, of Helensville, has placed an order for a F2 model KelvinRicardo, which will shortly bo installed in his 30ft launch. This engine is designed to operate on power kerosene. Having wan the Cornwell Cup last season, the Takapuna Club has yet to decide where the contest will be held this summer. Cp to the present no decision has been made. Not only on the Waitcniata has the class proved popular, but. also on the Manukau, where the Yacht Club has introduced it Mr. N Wilson, formerly commodore, is instructing the boys, who are making excellent progress in the handling of their boats. A 22ft. outboard "cruiser," fitted with a. Johnson Giant Twin, has made her appearance in Seattle. The boat, which is expected to attain a speed of 18 miles an hour in cruising trim, has accommodation for four adults, and is one of the largest outboard cruisers ever seen in Pacific waters. When the last mail left it was the intention of her owner to make an extended cruiso to Alaska. A 56ft. hydroplane with a benm of 12ft. has made its appearance in America. It is equipped with two Wright Typhoon motors, developing 1300 b.h.p. and a speed of 50 m.p.h. is anticipated.