OCEAN RACE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20541, 16 February 1935, Page 31 (Supplement)

OCEAN RACE.

Proposal for Cruise From Hobart. APPEAL FOR FUNDS. An endeavour is being made at Hobart by a number of yachting enthusiasts to promote an ocean 3-acht race from Hobart to Auckland via Bluff. Mr Austin E. Yaile has been selected as its organiser. In a letter to the Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr W. T. Lester), Mr Yaile states, “I am writing to the Mayors of Auckland, Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier. Wellington, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, Invercargill and yourself regarding a proposed ocean race from Hobart to Auckland via Bluff and intermediate ports between the seven-ton yacht Te Rapunga and the cutter Xgataki. both of which participated in the recent races from Auckland to Melbourne and Melbourne to Hobart.” Mr \ aile added that he sailed in both these races and incidentally organised the Melbourne to Hobart race. He was therefore able to personallv observe the phenomenal amount of public interest in the two yachts and their crews. Gaptain George Dibbern. of the Te Rapunga. is shortly to publish a book, the publicitv value of which to New Zealand would be by no means inconsiderable. The captains of both boats,” the letter continued, “have agreed to accept whatever prize your leading yacht club is prepared to offer, and will leave the matter entirelv to the generosity of those interested.” Mr Lester was asked to hand the letter to the secretarv of the leading yacht club if Mr Lester did not desire to interest himself in the matter. The letter also asked that a night letter cable be forwarded not later than Feb- j ruary 12, stating the amount offered as prize money and the name of the donors who would receive the crews upon arrival. It was trusted that Lyttelton would have sufficient vision to see the good that could accrue from such a visit. The letter was handed by Mr Lester to the Canterbury Yacht and Motor Boat Club and at a meeting of the committee held on Tuesday last it was decided to take no action.