AQUATICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1291, 26 November 1896, Page 26

AQUATICS.

The 3'achts in the Port Nicholson Yacht Club's Exhibition Handicap, to be run on the sth of December, will be sailed on the " Mark Foy system." the boats to be started on their time allowances.

YACHTING.

The first of the series of handicap yacht races, arranged by the Port Nicholson Yacht Club for the present season, was sailed on Saturday. In the first-class race the competitors were the Waitangi (scr) and the Maritana (12min). Soon after crossing the line, which +hey did together, the Waitangi took the lead, maintaining that position to the finish, and winning by about seven minutes, after allowing her rival 12 minutes. The winner was well handled by Mr J. Jamieson, one of her owners, while her rival had Mr G. > Martin at the tiller. In the second-class race there was a close finish, the competitors being the Atalanta and Rona (scr), Mahina (6min), Mapu (Bmin), Waiwetu (12min) and the Jennie Reid (20min). The first to cross the line was the Mapu, but she was soon overhauled by the Rona, which finished some minutes ahead of tho former, but on the time allowance the Mapu won the race by 55 seconds. .The Mahina, which came in a length or so behind the Atalanta, was placed third, the latter being fourth on the time allowance. The Waiwetu finished a considerable distance behind the Mahina, the Jennie Reid being the last. Mr F. F. Biss acted as handicapper for the first time, and was very successful. Mr J. B. Speed, secretary of tho Club, was starter and judge.

STAR BOATING CLUB.

The smooth water in the harbour on Saturday afternoon enabled the committee of the Star Boating Club to get off the first heats of the junior sculls. In the first round, as T. R. Hickson was not present at the appointed time, he was disqualified and the heat given to C. J. Stevens. In the following heat, J. Fairchild beat H. G. Lewis somewhat easily. In the second round, G. J. Reid defeated O. Bendall by six lengths, and C. W. S. Cox won from. C. .1 Stevens by three-quarters of a length. As Wobb-Bowen was scratched for his heat, the race was awarded to S. Harcourt. Mr W. E. Bendall acted as starter, and the captain (Mr G. H. Bethune) as judge. The heats will be continued this, evening. Tho races for the Senior Sculls have been postponed till Wednesday evening, when the first heats will bo commenced.