KETCH IDLE HOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22351, 24 February 1936, Page 8

KETCH IDLE HOUR

WORLD CRUISE RESUMED HEAD WIND CAUSES DELAY With preparations for another stage of a leisurely cruise around the world completed, the 32ft. ketch Idle Hour left the breastwork between Queen's Wharf and Central Wharf shortly before one o'clock 011 Saturday afternoon for Sydnej. The owner, Mr. Dwight Long, of Seattle, and other members of the crew, which includes two Aueklanders, were farewelled by a large number of friends who had assembled to watch the departure of the small craft. After leaving the breastwork, the Idle Hour went across to the full-rigged ship Joseph Conrad, moored in the stream, at the invitation of the owner and master, Mr. A. J. Villiers. The crow of the ketch spent an interesting time on board the Joseph Conrad inspecting the ship, and at three o'clock set sail for Kawau. In a wireless message to the Hf.rald received from Kawau last evening, Mr. Ivan Palmer, one of the Auckland members of the crew, stated that the Idle Hour had had to contend with a head wind all Saturday night. Mr. Long took advantage of an earlier invitation to visit Mr. C. Hanson, of Moturekareka Island, which was reached early yesterday morning. Mr. Hanson, who purchased the sailing vessel Rewa six years ago for a breakwater, has been host to several round-the-world voyagers.

Mr. Palmer stated that the Idle Hour would await favourable weather before leaving for Russell, where final preparations would be made beforo the Tasnian crossing was made. From Sydney the ketch will proceed to Singapore, via the Dutch East Indies, and then continue the voyage to England by way of the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean.