YACHTING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7021, 8 January 1910, Page 12

YACHTING.

[By “ Spinxakee.”] COMING EVENTS, January 23nd—Anniversary Regatta. January 23th—Mills memorial trophy for Ist class yachts. February 5th —Ocean race. February 10th—Ladies’ race. Very little has been doing in yachting circles during the past week beyond the usual cruising in \ perfect weather—on Saturday and Sunday. The White Heather and Syren will probably return home to-morrow {rom their ‘Sounds trip. The ex-Wellington second-class yacht Waiirero which was purchased by Mr 'Jewell Huff am, of Nelson, last season, ‘arrived in Wellington last Sunday 'morning from Ocean Beach. . Mr 'HufEam, who is accompanied by Mr J. Kingdom, proposes to leave Wellington in the course of a day or two for his home in Nelson. It is to be hoped, that at future ‘meetings of thle Port Nichtolson Club yacht owners will attend in larger numbers than they have in the past. Very few owners were amongst those present on Tuesday night. Instead of leaving the business to the mercy of the crews and sailing masters, owners would be well advised to attend meetings and do their best, not for themselves but for the sport. The launch Vida which left Wellington on Christmas Eve for a fortnight’s cruise in the Sounds, is expected back tins week-end. On the run across the Straits the first of the southerly buster was felt when passing ‘between the Brothers and Wellington Head, but Cape Karmoru was rounded before the gala commenced to show its strength, and safe anchorage was found in Cabbage Bay, in Queen Charlotte Sound. Later in the day the journey was resumed, and tho party hpomt a Very pleasant week cruising in tho Pelorous Sbund. During the past week the Vida has been completing tho second part of her programme in. the Queen Charlotte Sound, thus bringing to a close a very enjoyable cruise 'and holiday to the members of tho 'party which consisted of Mr Ben. Palmer (owner), Messrs Huntingdon, Burmatt, and Gray Bros. (2). Classification Tine come at last, and perhaps some yachtsmen will be satisfied for a time until some other defect ■needs remedying. This question, which is a most important one in the progress of yachting, should! have been more fully considered at the meeting on Tuesday right. As it was it was all over in a little over two minutes. Mr Ward’s motion that the bandicapper have a free hand in tho assessing of handicaps did not meet with the sup'port it merited. For one thing some owners are afraid of receiving a handi‘cap of, say, 35 minutes, and thus giving thorn a chance of taking first place, because some people would probably ball their boats by improper names. It would be far better to receive a larger handicap, which if the boat was sailed properly would give them as good a chance for a prize as it would one of the faster boats. But. no; the classes must be chopped and changed about to make tho fields smaller, the prize money leas, and probably some weeks no races at all. Classification could very well have boon left alone until next season, and in the meantime Mr Ward’s or some similar resolution adopted. It is to be hoped that in future cold water will not be thrown, as it was at tho meeting, on any Scheme brought forward to uplift the sport. The anniversary regatta programme, which was confirmed at the general meeting of the Port Nicholson Club, is as follows : Third-class Yacht Race (handicap). —To start at 10.30 a.m. Once round No. 1 course. Prizes—First £l, second £2. third £l. First and Second-class Yachts (general handicap).—To start at 10.43 a.m. Once round No. 1 course. Prizes— First £5, second £2 10s, third. £l. Fourth-class Yachts (handicap) To start at 11 a.m. Onco round No. 2 course. Open to all centre-board boats over 16ft. Prizes—First £3, second £2, third £l. Oil and Steam Launches (handicap).

'—To start at 11.15 a.m. Twice round. Motor-boat Club course. Prizes—■ First £2, second £l, third XOs. Decked Boats (IGft and under; handicap).—To start at 11.30 a.m. Once 'round No. 3 course. Prizes —First £2, second £l, third 10s. Third-class Yachts (handicap).—To, start at 2.30 p.m. O-noe round No. T course. Open to all third-class yachts. Second-class Yachts (handicap).—To start at 2.45 p.m. Once round No. I 'course. Open to all second-class - 'yachts. Prizes —First /£5, second £2, 'third £l. . A race similar to the above will bo ; held for B grade second-class yachts starting at 2.45 p.m., and with the some prizes attached as above. Fourth-class Yachts (handicap).—To start at 3 p.m. Once round No. 2 course. Open to all centre-board boats over 16ft. Prizes —First £3, second £2, third £l. Decked Boats (16ft and under). —To start at 3.15 p.m. Once round No. 3 course. Prizes—First £2, second £l, third 10s. Goal Hulks’ Boats, sailing (handicap),—To start at 3.30 p.m. Round No. 2 course. Prizes, £3 added to sweepstake. Oil and Steam Launches (handicap). —Open to boats of the P.N. Motor Boat Club and the P.N. Yacht Cl lib. To start at 3.45 p.m. Twice roundMotor Boat Club course.