JUNIOR CLUB

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23770, 25 September 1940, Page 17

JUNIOR CLUB

LIMITED MEMBERSHIP OFFICERS AT HERNE BAY SILVER FERN CLASS POPULAR A pleasing and valuable feature of the work of the Heme Bay Junior Yacht Club is the fact that the membership is limited to youths under 19 years of age. With the exception of the commodore, the other officers of the club are all lads, and at the recent annual meeting the following were elected : Vice-commodore, Hay Wilson ; rear-commodore, Jack Vickerinan; lion, secretary, Mark Shepherd; lion, treasurer, Jeff Buddie; handicapper, Ray Hurley. The popularity of the Silver Fern class is shown by the fact that there are already 50 boats scattered over the Dominion. Sponsored by the Heme Bay Junior Yacht Club, these small 12ft. boats are an ideal training ground for larger craft, as well as being particularly safe for young lads. The small Logan sailing canoes are also sponsored by this club. There are 20 Silver Fern boats in Auckland, while at Hamilton there are five, as well as three Logan canoes 011 the lake. The Silver Fern class is now established at Rotorua, Russell, Christchurch and Greymoutli. The valuable work done by Air. G. M. Dennos, chairman of the Auckland Regatta Committee, in fostering the Silver Fern class was recognised at the annual meeting of the club, held in the Richmond Yacht Club's fine new building, when be was re-elected commodore for the eighth season. SPLENDID SEA BOAT A reminder of the queen carnival held during the last war is the presence of the 35ft. launch Ngarunui in the yard of Messrs. W. G. Lowe and Sons. Built prior 'to 1914 by Messrs. Bailey and Lowe, the craft was powered by a Sterling engine, and this was the name bestowed on the new boat. Mr. Lowe made many extensive cruises between the East and North Capes in this fine sea boat. The firm disposed of it in 1915 to Mr. A. Jagger, who the following year donated it to be raffled for the patriotic fund. Tickets were 2s and the Sterling raised a considerable sum of money for the fund. Her lucky new owner soon sold her and since then her wanderings have been many, but she is now back in her original home for an overhaul and the fitting of a new engine.