PORT NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19270, 6 January 1931, Page 14

PORT NEWS.

YACHTSMEN RETURN. Most of the yachts and motor boats that have their mooring at the boat harbour, West Lyttelton, have returned to port. There are still a number away on the Peninsula on the way back from Akaroa. Yachtsmen report that they have never experienced such a fine Christmas and New Year holiday*. If any complaints had to be made it was that conditions were too warm. Fish have been plentiful, and altogether the holidays have been most pleasant. Hot Weather. . Until Christmas time the surrounding hills around the port kept up their green and fresh appearance remarkably well for so late in the season. Since the hot weather experienced during the past ten days and especially after Sunday’s nor’-wester, they have become parched and there is very little growth. On many of the slopes around the bays picnic parties found it so slippery that walking down hill was difficult. Considerable care had to be taken on the summit of the cliffs. Cycling. Members of the Lyttelton Amateur Cycle Club held an outing on Sunday. The party consisted of twenty-five members. They left Lyttelton at 9.30 a.m. and arrived at Motukarara Park just before midday, after a warm ride through Gebbie’s Valley. Most of the riders got through without any punctures. One rider, however, had the bad luck of having at least a dozen punctures, and arrived back at port at 9 p.m., an hour and a half after the rest of the party. The track was in fairly good order at the park and advantage was taken to hold a short programme after luncheon. The results were as follow:—Senior scratch race (I lap), W. Steele 1, F. Hart 2, E. Butcher 3. Won by four inches. Junior scratch race—G. Cummings 1, W. Foubister 2, W. Bethell 3. Cummings an easy win. Two laps open handicap—E. Butcher (40vds) 1, W. Foubister (220yds) 2, F. Hart (scr), 3. Won easily. Horse fight—W. Bethell 1, B. Cummings 2. Cock fight —B. Cummings 1, W. Foubister 2. Track record—senior, F. Hart; junior, G. Cummings.