SAILERS' RACE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16874, 11 February 1929, Page 11

SAILERS' RACE

MOA BEATS WAIKONINI With their engines going at full speed and their sails bellying "out with the fresh north-west breezes, the auxiliary schooners Waikonini and Moa sailed into the bay from Auckland on Saturday evening alter an exciting race down the. Coast. The Waikbnini left Auckland, some hours before the Moa, but was compelled to put into Tauranga owing to the heavy sea. In the meantime the Moa bad left Auckland, apd after passing Cape Colville ran into favorable weather with a strong northerly wind.

When Iho Waikonini left Tauranga the Moa was sighted a few miles ahead and appeared to be making good progress. The Waikonini's seamen lost no tune in preparing their vessel for the.; chase, and her sails were soon filled by i the stiff breeze. With the wind gradu-; ally increasing, it seemed as if the Wai-1 koiiini's task would be a comparatively easy one, and the distance between the two boats began to lessen. Tho Waikonini drew level with the Moa off Cape Runaway, and held that position until oil' Tolaga Bay. when the wind began to drop. The Moa has more powerful j engines than tin* Waikdniui, and this j gave her a decided advantage over the smaller boat. Nevertheless, keen ex-! citcment prevailed on both vessels, and ; it was evident that tho race would resuit in a good finish. The Moa continued to draw away from her oppon- j cut. and arrived here 25 minutes ahead of the Waikonini. Captain F. Hammond, of the Waikonini, said to-day that beautiful weather was experienced in the Bay of Plenty, with a big swell and a light north-west wind. "The weather continued fine for the remainder of the voyage." he added, "although tho Moa outclassed us "when the race depended on the auxiliary power." Captain Norton is in command of the auxiliary schooner Moa, which was recently equipped with two 45 h.p. engines, capable of maintaining a speed of eight knots when empty, and seven knots when fully loaded. Both vessels are owned by Messrs. Winstone, Ltd.. Auckland, aiid are usually engaged in carrying shingle and timber. The Moa

played an interesting part during the Great War, when Count Felix von Luckner, the German raider, attempted to escape from New Zealand in her. Both schooners are expected to sail. to-morrow evening for Auckland.