Australian Yachting.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 168, 4 September 1886, Page 1

Australian Yachting.

Yachting and boat sailing have been, and ever will be, popular forms of amusement with Australians. In the first place love of the sea is inherent in their nature, and in the next the -natural, facilities of access to the water and the splendid weather with which.thiß southern land is favoured induce a partiality for aquatic amusements among our youth which the responsibilities after life can never eradicate. In Port Jackson it is only in the natural order of things that a large proportion of the male population , should almost exist •float during half .the year. There is no harbour south of the line, except Auckland harbour, where yachting is en. tered isto with so much zest. In Sydney there are several of the finest specimens of the modern yacht afloat. Some have been imported from England, and others built from plans sent out by celebrated English designers , but— and every success to their enterprising owners— a number are built by local builders from their' own designs. As instances of the latter description, where are there finer specimens of yachts than the old Magic, the Waitangi, the Wanderer, or the Janet. The Waitangi is a New Zealandsr, and was built by Niccoi, of Auckland, whose name is attached to some fine specimens of vessels engaged in the island trade — vessels which might justly be ranked as yachts, Sydney certainly takes the lead in yachting, but the great drawback has been' a lack of enterprise among our yachting men. Owners of fine yachts like the Magic, Waitangi, Sirocco, Oithona, Sao, and many others were quite satisfied with their little c vise round the harbour and an occasional race under pleasure canvath Then, again, there has been another drawback. Owners did not know how to accept a defeat. However, there is great promise ot quite a new order of things during the ensuing season. Several new yachts have been added to the fleets of the Royal and the Prince Alfred, and both these clubs seem to be imbued with the determination to extend the popularity of yachting by every means in their power. One great innovation will b« the intercolonial yacht" races between Sydney ■ and • Melbourne yachts. Intercolonial contests more than any other means will do away with local jealousies by giving extended scope to our yacht owners and amateur crews. There is no ■ doubt that in a few years intercolonial regattas will , be held, at which the best yachts of Few South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and , New Zealand will compete, and thus yatching will become essentially Australasian, and owners will have something to look forward to. By the way Mew South Welshmen are apt to forget that thare is , such a place as New Zealand,poa*esaing fine amateur sailors, and a few- yachts which are by no means to be despised. This applies more particularly to Auckland and Wellington. In the latter harbour, sailing'as a rule, is done in a heavy sea, and a breeze of^wind,- which would raise the hair off a'man's.he&cL tt is to be hoped that the combinei^Port Jackson and Port Philip Yacht.Glubs will see theway clear fco send yachts to- Auckland to represent these coloriiek, or'induce the Auoklanders to send over thelßitaJ 4 Arawa;. or Muritai,-,all firstlocally built yachts'which would prove no mean antagonists; — "Town and Country Journal." .<-». -,s, s '< a- ».,