TASMAN YACHT RACE

Southland Times, Issue 22507, 15 February 1935, Page 5

TASMAN YACHT RACE

SOUTHLAND ASSISTANCE SOUGHT.

LETTER TO THE MAYOR.

Mr A. E. Vaile, who took part in the recent Centenary yacht race from Auckland to Melbourne, has written the following letter to the Mayor of Invercargill concerning a proposed yacht race from Hobart to New Zealand, including several South Island ports. The letter states:—“l have been asked to organize a race between the yachts Te Rapunga and Ngataki back to New Zealand. I was a member of the Te Rapunga’s crew from Auckland to Melbourne and then again in the race to Hobart, and I was able to observe the phenomenal amount of interest in both boats. I am writing to the Mayors of Dunedin, Oamaru, Timaru, Lyttelton, Wellington, Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga and Auckland, at all of which ports the yachts will call if they are assured of recognition. As Mayor of Invercargill, will you kindly see that this letter reaches some responsible person in a yachting club—or as you see fit—and inform anyone interested that the boats are sailing from Hobart about February 12, and are prepared to accept as first and second prizes (or first only) any amounts which are offered, trusting entirely to the fairness and generosity of the people themselves, and of the organizing body. Captain Dibbern is shortly publishing a book and Invercargill and New Zealand will benefit as a result thereof.” Yesterday inquiries were put in train to ascertain whether the Invercargill Boating Club or the Stewart Island Yacht Club was interested in the event.