NOTES FROM THE WATERFRONT.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 21, 23 November 1910, Page 7

NOTES FROM THE WATERFRONT.

(By

RINGTAIL.)

G / < MEETING of the Committee of j I the Auckland Anniversary Re- | gatta Association was held in the office of the Secretary (Mr. C. C. Daere) on Wednesday last, and every member was present. This regatta promises to be the best held for many years, and the Committee are quite enthusiastic about their work. No difficulty will be experienced about a flagship this year, as there are several large liners due in port about the date fixed : (owing to the 29th January falling on Sunday, the regatta will be held on Monday). The entries for all classes are expected to constitute a record, and it is hoped that it will be so. as the committee give a very great deal of time to the getting together of funds, and as Aucklanders are justly proud of their beautiful harbour it is to be hoped that they will give the committee the assistance that is expected. It woidd be a thousand pities for the time-honoured function to be allowed to drop. It- is quite possible that we may be favoured .with a visit from the Australian Squadron in January, and this would lend additional attraction to the function. It •is to be hoped that we get a finer day than we.had last year, which, of course, makes all the difference in the number of spectators,’ but that not being in our hands we must hope for the best. There can be no finer sight for people who live inland, as well as those along the waterfront, than the harbour covered with .white sails gliding along with a fresh breeze over the sparkling water. There is not a dull moment in a whole day spent aboard the flagship on Regatta Day. Building Is still very brisk. Mr. C. Bailey has a large launch for the Clevedon Steam Ship Co. planked up and caulked, and she should be ready for the water About the middle of December. The keel of the twin-screw launch for the Tongan Government will be laid down this week, and the work pushed forward as fast as possible. She will be fitted with two 14 h.p. Anderson engines. Messrs. Bailey and Lowe's yard has a very busy appearance. A number of small boats are on the stocks in every stage of construction. The fine launch for Mr. Twigg has now been planked up, and has a very powerful appearance, no pains having been spared to bring her as near perfection as possible. Messrs. Collins and Bell have their shed full of small work, besides a 26ft. launch for Mr. D. Bell. A fine twin-screw steamer for the New Zealand Shipping Co.. Ltd., was launched from Mr. C. Bailey’s yards on Saturday morning. She is to be used at Napier for lightering purposes. The launch took place a little before nine o'clock. 'As the vessel started to glide down the ways Miss Laurel Bailey, the builder s daughter, broke a bottle of champagne over her bows, and christened her- Ixotunui, amidst -the cheers of the spectators. The anxious moments, as she increased speed down the ways, were groundless, as she took the water without the slightest hitch, shooting well out till brought up by the cables. She was brought alongside the breastwork, where t he work of installing boilers and engines and 'stepping masts will be carried out. The following are the dimensions of the Kotunui: Length between perpendiculars 107 feet, water-line 97 feet, beam 24 feet, 8 feet depth of hold, draught 8 feet loaded. The engines are being installed by Fraser and .Sons, engineers, of Auckland. Mr. G. Nicol also launched from his yard a few minutes later a handsome scow for Messrs. Wilson, Ltd., for the cement trade between Mahurangi and Auckland. - As oson as the ties were cut a bottle of champagne was broken over 'her bows, christening her Portland, and, Am ills t the cheering of all present, she took the water without a hitch. The masts will be stepped this week, and »he should be ready to take up her run-

ning by the end of the month. The following are the dimensions of the Portland: Length 75 feet, beam 21 feet, depth 5 feet. She will be ketch rigged by Messrs. Jagger and Harvey. Messrs. J. Burns and Co. are making the sails. She is very strongly built throughout. Her topsides are painted white, and she is sheathed with totara below the waterline. NORTH SHORE YACHT CLUB. FIRST CRUISING RACE TO AWAROA BAY. The North Short Yacht Club held its first cruising and harbour races on Saturday. There were five cruising races, which were to Awaroa Bay. a good fleet entering for each race. The wind was well easterly, with a strong flood tide. Class 1. —In this class all crossed the line bar the Maroondah. Thistle crossed the line first, followed by Kittiwake and Marangi, and the rest well up. The times and positions are as follows: Marangi. finishing time Th 26m 455. corrected time Th 25 in 455, position 1; Wairiki, Th 48m, Th 29m. 2; Heartsease, Th 48m 50s. Th 48m 50s. 5; Thistle. Th 52m. Th 36m. 4: Mahaki, Th 52m 10s, Th 34m 10s, 3; Kittiwake, Sli 2Tm, 811 20m, 6; Speedwell, 811 50m, 8h 30m, T. 'Bronzewing did not finish. Class II. —All started. Romp crossed first, followed by Pandora and Peri. Times: Romp. Th 41m 355. Th 41m 355, 1; Peri, Th 49m 15s, 7h 49m 15s, 2; Pandora, 8h 23m, 8h 13m 3: Irish, 9h 14m, 911 Tin, 4. Alexa, Mavbelie and Tangaroa did not finish. Class lll.—This class got fairly away together, the Ronakl getting over the line first, closely followed by Calypso and the rest. The Emerald did not start, also Foam. •Waitangi and Lina. Times: Calypso, Th 29m 50s. Th 29m 50s, 2: Waitere, Th 35m, Th 27m. 1: Ronaki. Th 43m 15c. Th 43m 15s. 4: IMaru. Th 49m 30s. Th 35m 30s. 3; Zoe. Th 52m 2s. Th 44m 2s, 5; Mystery. Th 57m 355, Th 49m 355, 6. Gannett did not finish. Class IV. —Eileen crossed first, followed closely by Hilda. Acacia and Bapline. Mown! was about smiu late. Times: Venus, 811 Im 40s, 8h Im 40s, 1; Mowai. 8s 3Tm 365. 8h 3Tm 365, 3; Kowhai. 811 4Om 455. Sh 30m 455, 2; Eileen. 9h 21m. 9h 11m. 4: Acacia. 9h 27m, 911 25m. 5. Hilda, Wairangi, Mei and Daphne did not finish. Class V. —Only three started in this race, the Niobe getting away welt before the other two. Konini and Ena. The Ena was the only one to finish; time 1111 45m, corrected time llh 38m. Open Boats. —All started bar Wodonga. Rosina crossed first. Olivine being next, and Mistral next, followed closely by the rest. Times: Mistral, 5h 3m 30s. oh 3m 30s. 1; Flattie, 5h 9m 275. 511 4m 57 s. 2: Saint, 5h 13m 18s. oh Tm 18s. 3; Olivine. 5h 16m 595, 5h 10m 295, 4; Raumati, oh 20m 14s, 511 12m 14s, 5. Mr 8. White was starter, and Mr W. T. Shaw timekeeper and judge, assisted by Mr H. Seager.