AQUATICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3802, 25 January 1927, Page 53

AQUATICS.

SANDERS CUP CHALLENGER SOUTHLAND’S NEW BOAT. Southland’s new boat, Murikihu 11, .is on board the cargo steamer Kiwitea, which arrived at Dunedin on Wednesday night from Auckland. The boat is a beautiful sample of the boatbuilder’s art, and is a credit to Mr Charles Bailey, who built Rona, Avalon, Desert Gold, with several other Auckland 14-focters. Murihiku II is a replica of Avalon. Her finish is perfect. The hull is polished kauri, the planking being as smooth as glass, and the wood is almost the natural colour. Kauri spars and new sails accompany the boat. The name of the craft is painted in green and gold letters on her stem. Murihiku II is undoubtedly one of the finest boats ever sent away from Auckland. She will be the “show' boat” of this year’s Sander’s Cup contest at Lyttelton. Every care has been taken for the safe conveyance of Murihiku H. the little craft being carried in a very stout crate on the boat deck of the Kiwitea. The beautiful model is covered with one of her sails, and her keel rests on a new soft mattress. Everything connected with the new boat suggests perfect finish and speed. She looks a champion, and her owner, Mr A. Monett, has a racing craft which will .be the envy of other provinces. Murihiku II . has been landed at Bluff, and her skipper Carl Hansen, and his crew will have, about two weeks in which to try out their new charge before she is railed or shipped to Lyttelton. DISPUTE AT CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH. January 19. The Canterbury Yachting Association decided last evening to hold an inquiry next week into the recent Sanders Cup trial, when allegations of fouling were made by the skippers of Betty and Usher against each other. WANGANUI REGATTA. WANGANUI. January 23. The Wanganui regatta on Saturday was attended by 5000 or 6000 spectators. Beautiful weather prevailed, and exciting racing was witnessed. .Great interest was taken in the Masport Cup race—the speed championship of New Zealand, which was won by Aiderton Bros’ J. and J. (Wanganui) by 55 seconds from the Auckland boat Fleetwing Junior. The course was 15 nautical miles. Time, 26min 25sec. Kohuku (Wanganui) also started, but broke down. Nonesuch (North Auckland). Miss Cheltenham (Auckland), and Little Jim. (Wanganui) were non-starters owing to engine trouble. In the Leleari Cup Handicap race. One Step (Wanganui) caught fire, and Spot IT (Auckland) overturned at the bend. Fleetwing Junior was first over the course and won the prize money, but J. and J. made the fastest time, and was awarded the cup. At tho close of the regatta J. and J. made a dash to establish a New Zealand speed record and touched 50 miles an hour. WELLINGTON REGATTA. ’ The following are the Wellington yachting regatta results: — Second-class. Handicap.—Wairere I (scr) 1, Lanett (6min) 21 First-class Handicap.—Viola (9min) 1, Ailsa 2. General Handicap (open)..—Windward (17min) 1, Wairere I (141 min 2, Ailsa (Imin) 3. Eighteen-foot and under handicap.—All Black (24min) 1, Wellesley (2jinin) 2, Cooee , (Im in) 3. . Launch Race.—Ailsa Craig 1, - Taniora (smin) 2, Dolphin (smin) 3.