WITH SAIL and MOTOR

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 1, 5 January 1910, Page 9

WITH SAIL and MOTOR

NEWS FROM THE WATER (Special to “ Graphic.”) FIXTURES. Jan. B.—Devonport Yacht Club Races. Jan. 15.—North Shore Yacht Club Races. Jan. 19. —Ponsonby Regatta Prize Night. Jan. 29.—Auckland Regatta. Jan. 29.—Hamilton Regatta. (ciY TORMY weather was again the yah order of the day for yachtsmen at the New Year, the wind blowing strongly from the southwest and south on Saturday. On Sunday the wind freshened to a moderate gale, and during the night increased to a strong gale from about south. Waiheke was the great centre of attraction for yachtsmen at the New Year owing to the annual regatta taking place at Awaroa Bay. There was a large muster of yachts of all classes on the occasion. Devonport Yacht Club hold races at the North Shore to-day, including a harbour race for keel boats, one for centreboard boats of the mullet type, a race for power boats, and one for dinghies of 14ft and 10ft. Some young amateurs are building a 22-footer, open boat, in their spare time in Napier-street, which will be ready for launching next week. North Shore Yacht Club’s next fixture takes place on January 15, and include a cruising race for the Ingram Cup round Waiheke and classes 6,7, and 9 to Takapuna. The next great aquatie feature on the Waiiemata will be the Anniversary Regatta on January 29. An excellent programme has been arranged, for which large entries are expected. A great deal of interest is being taken by Ponsonby yachtsmen in te perform-

ances of the new open boat Venus. This boat, as I stated before in these notes, is “out” after the crack Mowai, of the same class, and it is reckoned that tho new boat will give her rival a good shaking up when next they meet. The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron have shifted their quarters in to the new rooms, Darby’s Buildings, on the east side of Dower Queen-street. The new rooms are very comfortably fitted, are well lighted and ventilated, and should prove adapted to the requirements of the club for some time to come. Koflri is away cruising in the North. After leaving Kawau on December 27, the yaeht went on to Whangaroa, the weather improving as she got along the coast. Calling in at Tuhukaka, the crew met with the usual hospitality extended to yachtsmen by Air. and Mrs. H. Ferguson and family. Most of the yachts which have been away for the New Year cruise returned to their moorings on Monday evening, but all had the same story to tell—- “ High winds and heavy seas, and a dead beat homewards.” During a fieree south-west squall on Sunday afternoon, the yaeht Ida, whieh had been cruising down Waiheke way, lost her mainsail, whieh was blown away. There was a heavy sea running, but, fortunately, the oil yacht Kotiri sighted the Ida and the predicament her erew were in, and after some manoeuvring got a tow line on board and brought the Ida up to her moorings. The oil yacht Vanova, with Air. Lindsay Cooke and a party of friends returned from a cruise round the Gulf on Sunday night. The yaeht met with bad weather, and although it was a “dead slog” from Station Bay to Auckland, she did the distance in under two hours. Awaroa Bay Regatta. The postponed annual regatta at Awaroa Bay. Waiheke, took place on .Saturday last, but the interest in the proceedings was much marred by bad weather.

There was a strong south-west wind blowing, whieh raised a fairly heavy sea outside the bay. The Northern Company's steamer Waiotahi was flagship, and had a full complement of excursionists when she left Auckland. The officials were: Messrs. C. Hewson, G. Sellers, and T. Culpan for the sailing events, and Messrs. F. Woolley, W. J. Gordon, and J. H. Watson for the rowing events. Mr. Gordon also acting as secretary. There were not so many starters for the sailing events as was anticipated, owing to the weather preventing a number of the boats getting down to the bay. Everything in connection with the regatta passed off smoothly and satisfactorily. The following are the details:— Yacht Race, handicap, centreboard boats. —Entries and handicaps: Emerald scratch, Mystery Im, Mara sm. Course: From off flagship, thence round Three Sisters, thenee round mark off Afaratea Brick Works, thence round mark off Foster's Bay', finishing at the starting point. The race was sent away at 12.10 p.m., Maru getting across first, but she was disqualified for crossing the line before time. Emerald also crossed before time, but she returned and crossed correctly. Mystery was very prompt in getting away as the gun was fired. Just after rounding the Sisters, Alystery had to retire owing to her sail being split. Emerald and Maru fought it out, the finishing times being: Emerald, Ihr 29m; Maru, I'hr 31m 225. Owing to Maru's disqualification, Emerald takes the prize. Pulling Boat Race, handicap (for Waiheke settlers only in Waiheke boats, only one man in each boat). —J. Gordon 1, J. Day 2, R. Waters 3. Sculling Dinghy Race, handicap.—• Tobin 1, Gallagher 2, Jessen 3. Boat Race, for ladies (two in each boat, with steersman). —Misses A. and L. Gordon 1, Airs. Day 2, Afiss Gordon 3. Yachts’ Dinghy Race, handicap (for yachtsmen only).—Richards (Iris) I, Saunders (Rose) 2, Palmer 3. Yachts’ Dinghy Race, handicap (for one lady).—-Miss Ethel Gordon 1, Aliss L. Gordon 2, Aliss Gray don and N. Gordon (dead heat) 3. Yachts’ Dinghy Race (for two men and a steersman). —Tobin and Saunders 1, Richardson and Jessen 2. Boat Race, handicap (for one lady and

one gentleman, with steersman). —Mitt E. Gordon and J. Day !, Miss Green and Richardson 2, Miss L. Gordon and Olsen 3.