AT THE SIGN of THE PENNANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 444, 28 August 1928, Page 14

AT THE SIGN of THE PENNANT

By

KEELSON.

NEW SCHOONER-YACHT

AUCKLAND BOATMEN PLEASED The Sun’s announcement last evening that work on a fine new schoonerrigged yacht has just been begun by Mr. Charles Bailey has aroused the keenest interest among Waitemata boatmen.

It is some years since so large a pleasure sailing boat—s4ft by 15ft by 8ft —has left an Auckland slipway. The yachtsman for whom she is being constructed is well known as the owner- of the fast cruising launch Silens, located at present in St. Mary’s Bay.

He intends to embark on long coastal cruises and later will voyage among the South Sea Islands. Mr. Bailey will personally supervise her building and expects to launch the vessel about Christmas time.

LOCAL DAYLIGHT SAVING

If the proposed Local Summer Time Bill fails to pass the House this session it will not be for lack of enthusiasm In Auckland. It is pleasing to note that a yachtsman, Mr. T. L. Thompson, commodore of the Richmond Cruising Club, Is leading the Auckland crusade for continuation of the extra hour boating men so wholeheartedly approved.

MR. McKENZIE’S LETTER

YACHTSMAN IN REPLY A fortnight ago there appeared “At the Sign of the Pennant” part of a letter from Mr. H. R. Mackenzie, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, to the superintendent of the board, telling of some’ of his observations of yachting in Canada. To-day a letter comes from a wellknown yachtsman by way of reply. Lear Keelson, — I was greatly interested to read in your columns recently the observations of the chairman of the Harbour Board on yachting in other parts of the globe. What a wonderful time he must be having among all those huge yachts, much bigger than the Viking. How he would enjoy dashing about Lake Ontario in one of the immense launches beside which “some of our big ones would only be fit for dinghies.” All very nice. Lo we not feel small! After telling us of the magnificence and opulence of the gorgeous clubs he saw there where they have tennis courts, bowling greens, tulips and goodness knows what, he delivers a subtle little joke: “And Auckland yachtsmen should note that they receive no assistance from the Harbour Board.”

Now, Keelson, I am not quite sure to whom the “they” refers—Auckland yachtsmen, or those in Ontario. If he should mean the latter, I must point out that they are enormdusly wealthy men, who probably have never heard of a local harbour board. In any case, millionaires are not likely to waste energy haggling with the Ontario authorities over a club-house site or financial assistance to build a slipway. But we, alas, are not millionaires, nor even wealthy men, and beggars cannot be choosers. We are therefore dependant on the generosity of our Harbour Board—a very wealthy body—to nurture our little sport until we, too, can some day afford to have “tennis courts and bowling greens and—tulips.” CAPTAIN CUTTLE.

NEW LAUNCH AND OLD ONE

The new 35ft. launch being built for Mr. L. Heard, of Parnell, by Mr. J. Slattery, of Judge’s Bay, is now well advanced. She is a fine boat, the for’ard cabin has 6ft. of headroom, and the main cabin sft. 9in., while the cockpit is very roomy. A galley is to be fitted in the engine room. She is to be powered with an Ailsa Craig engine, and should be a fine acquisition to the powered fleet, and one of the most comfortable cruisers on the Waitemata.

The 28ft. launch Eileen is undergoing extensive alterations at the hands of Mr. J. Slattery. At present all that is left of the old boat is the hull, her decking, cabin top and all fittings having been removed. She will be fitted with an Ailsa Craig engine in place of the Cadillac. Mr. Webster, of Kohimarama, should have a fine boat for the coming season.

TAMAKI CLUB

SEASON’S PRIZE LIST The Tamaki Yacht Club will hold its prize night on September 4. The following are the season’s prize-win-ners:—• Keelers. —Mahoe, the G. F. Marshall White Cup. Mullet Boats.— Why Not, the J. Hallaway Cup; Wairere, one first; Celox, one first; Wayward, one second; Winifred, one second. Class.— Mawhiti, one first; Maroso, J* H. Browne Cup and one first; Maratea, one second. Star Class. —Ola IV., three firsts; Moa, one first. V Class. —Drone, two firsts; Magic, one second. S Class. —Sea Sleigh, one first; Aratu, one first. T Class. —Ngaio, ®ne first; Kismet, one second; Tui, one first; Eleanor, one first; Sheila, one second; Marie, two firsts. X Class. —Avalon, the Newcomb Cup and one first; Shirley, one second. Y Class. —Alerte, one first; Sea Nymph, one first; Romp, one second; Sea Elf, one first; Opah, one first and one second. Z Class. —Comet, one first; Tuatea, one first; Delphine, two firsts. Outboard Motors. —Kurly Kale, one first; Baby Zel, one second. Auckland Rowing Club, the Nixon Cup.

CLUB DOINGS

Three clubs will hold their annual meetings this week. The Pt. Chevalier Sailing Club leads on Wednesday evening in its club-house, Joan Street, Pt. Chevalier. On Thursday evening the Devonport Yacht Club will hold its meeting in the club-house, Devonport. 'On the same evening the Victoria Cruising Club’s meeting will be held in the renovated club-house, Fanshawe Street. Next week, on Tuesday, the Tamaki Yacht Club will hold its annual prize night. On the Thursday the Takapuna Boating Club’s annual meeting will take place, and on the following Saturday the Akarana Yacht Club will conduct its first prize-giving in the new club-house, Campbell’s Point. The Takapuna Boating Club’s big art union, held in conjunction with the stall at the Winter Show, will be drawn at the club-house, Bayswater, on Thursday evening. This club will hold a billiards tournament beginning on Monday. Very good entries have been received and success is assured. During the last two week-ends members of the Akarana Yacht Club have held working bees to hasten along completion of the new club-house and its adjuncts. About 20 members lent a hand last week-end.

The boisterous and squally week-end did not favour painting operations on the boats, and not a great deal of work was done. The football matches of late have proved strong counter-attrac-tions from refitting activities on Saturdays. A good deal of work has been carried out, however, at St. Mary’s Bay, Devonport, and Bayswater. It is rumoured that one or two boats at the latter resort are nearly ready to go down. IJp to the present very little has been done at the Vic's area or among the squadron’s boats at Bailey’s.

VICTORIA CRUISING CLUB

STRENUOUS YEAR The 26th annual meeting of the Victoria Cruising Club will be held in the club-room on Thursday evening. The annual report states that the year has been a successful one, no fewer than 103 new members being elected. Strenuous work had to be done on account of the removal of the club-house from the old site, which had been sold, to a new one. This cost £BOO, and the expenditure was met by debentures and the raising of £3OO from the bank. During the season the committee found it necessary to seek assistance for finance, and the chjb’s thanks was due to Mr .Ernest Davis, Mr. W. Casey, and Messrs. J. Griffin and P. gave.

MANUKAU’S SLIPWAY

Members of the Manukau Yacht Club have been very busy of late In erecting the new slipway. The utility will be for all boatmen on that harbour, and should supply a long-felt want. Although the slipway is available to both clubs it is understood only one has done anything toward its construction.

HARDY MANUKAU BOYS

Such is the fascination of sailing that a pair of boy members of the Manukau Yacht and Motor-boat Club decided to go for a flutter during the unpropitious week-end. They got more than they bargained for. Their boat was one of the club’s recently acquired Cornwell Cup “flatties.” , h SS *? ot been long out on the playful Western Harbour when a squall struck the little craft and dismasted her smashing a portion of the decking in the operation. »

thelr supervisor, was not at all pleased. The boys will now have a lesson in small ship repairing. These youngsters are- immensely th ® re is no doubt that the 12ft 6m class has “caught on.” tuay confidently be expected that this club will turn out some formidable contenders m the future for the Cornwell Cup.