AQUATICS

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 490, 14 December 1899, Page 9

AQUATICS

[BY

Spinnaker.]

PARNELL SAILING CLUB-

The second day’s class races of the Parnell Sailing Club took place on Satur day, and proved a very interesting an i enjoyable function. Mr J. Ronayne acted as starter, and is to be congratulated on starting the races promptly to time. Mr G. V. Edgcumbe officiated as judge and timekeeper. There was a stifF’sou’-wesr.erly breeze blowing, and some of the smaller boats had all they could carry The following are the results of the various races:—

Patikis. — Kambler scr, Eka 2min, Boomerang smin, Bronzewing 7min, Zoe 7min, Rita 7m.n. Eka was the first to clear the starting line, closely followed by Boomerang, Zoe, Bronzewing, and Rita Rambler being very late to start. With spinnakers set in the strong breeze, the boats soon rounded the Sandspit buoy. Passing the flagship the first time Eka held the lead, and owing to Bronzewing and Zoe passing the mark boat on the wrong side and having to make a board, thereby losing time, Eka increased her lead, the times at the finish being: Eka, 4hr Bmin ssec; Boomerang, 4hr 9miu 55sec; Zoe. 4hr 10min42sec; Rambler, 4hr 12min 25sec; Bronzewing, 4hr 13min

20sec; Rita, 4hr 15min 25sec. On time allowance Zoe takes first place, Bronzewing second, and Eka third. 22-footers. —Myra scr, Melissa 2min, Welcome Jack smin, Enita 7min, Ida 7min, Merlin 11 min, Rewi 15rain, Roromiko 18min. The boats got away to an even start. Myra soon assumed the lead, and was first to pass the flagship the first time round, Welcome Jack, xVlelissa, and Enita following in that order. Melissa overtook Welcome Jack on the second round. Myra increased her lead, and finished first at 4hr 19min 9sec; .Melissa, 4hr 23min 15sec; Welcome Jack, 4hr 23miu 51 sec ; Enita, 4hr 28min lOsec; Ida, 4hr 28min 40sec; Merlin, 4hr 30min 34eec. On time allowance Welcome Jack takes first place, Myra second, and Melissa third. 26-footers —Swift scr, Pastime 3min, Retire 7min, Waitangi 9 J min. Rotiro aas the first avay, closely followed by Pastime and \Waitangi, Swift being a long way behind. On the run round the Heads, Pastime assumed the lead, and Swift passed Kotiro. The wind falling light on the second round, Rotiro and Waitangi dropped out. Pastime kept the lead from Swift, and won at -hr 46min 30sec

Open Handicap. —Thelma and -ainbow scr, Aoiere 13min, Corina 30min. Thelma was first away, fallowed by Rainbow, Aorere being very late in getting away. Tuelma held a snor. lead from Rainbow on the fit st round, but Aorere retired. Thelma maintained her lead, which she increased on the second round, winning at shr 39min 16svc, Rainbow shr 49 min 50sec.

The Championship Rowing Regatta, under the N- w Zealand Amateur Rowing Associati m, will be held on Paster Mon day, at Picton. Thirty-seven rowing clubs were represented at the aunuil meeting of the N.Z. Amateur Rowing Association. A meeting of the subscribers to the Auckland Regatta Committee was held last Thursd iy evening, at the Waitemata Hotel, Mr A. H. Nathan presiding. Mr S. E. Hughes presented the report and balance-sheet, which showed the receipts for the last regatta to be £451 3s Id, and the total expenses £435 4s 2d, leaving a balance in hand of £l5 8s lid. The Championship Rowing Regatta, held on

the day following the general regatta, resulted in a nett loss of £147 7s Bd, otherwise the annual fixture would have had a handsome surplus in hand. It was decided to return the entrance money to the yachts which had entered for Class A race, owing to several boats going the wrong course, and the race being declared off. The chairman hoped the citizens of Auckland would not allow the Annual Regatta to drop, and if it was intended to hold one next 29th of January immediate steps should be taken to start the ball rolling, Seeing that there was such a small attendance, the question should be adjourned to a meeting later on, and the sailing clubs and Rowing Association consulted. As the circumstances of the Regatta were altered from former years, he thought the yacht clubs should take the matter in hand and carry out the details. He himself would not be able to take the chairmanship next year, as he would in all probability be away from the city. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Arthur H. Nathan for his past services in connection with the Regatta, and also to the outgoing officers and committee. The race for the Bloomfield Cup, for 30-footers members of the Auckland Yacht Club, took place on Saturday afternoon. The entries were Zinita, Windward, and Rotiri. Windward was first away, with Rotiri close up, and Zinita some distance behind. Rotiri soon assumed the lead, and was never headed, winning very easily at shr 7min 35sec ; Zinita, second, at shr 11 min Isec; Windward, shr 18min 13sec. Rotiri, which is owned by Messrs Gray Bros and was sailed by Mr John Logan, holds the cup for a year. Each of the three competitors has now scored one win, but the trophy has to be won twice in succession or three times at intervals.

The Mercer Annual Regatta was held at Mercer last Saturday, and attracted a number of visitors from Auckland and Waikato. The weather was all that could be desired, and a very enjoyable day was spent by the visitors. The committee worked hard, and had all the arrangements and details complete. On arrival of the Auckland passenger trains the first event was started. A grand procession of all the canoes and boats taking part in the sports was held, the Maoris singing and beating time with their paddles. The canoe races (particularly the war canoe race) were all well contested and interesting ■ to the spectators. The West End Rowing Club seems to. have had a monopoly of the outrigger races, as crews from that club won all the rowing events. In the Ladies’ Pm'rOar Race three boats started, and after a very close contest, was won by the Waipa representatives—Misses M. and N. Paterson—who rowed in first-class style. The Manukau Yacht Club held its first race of the season on Saturday, which was won by Mr B. Craven’s St. Anne, Kiwi second, and Fedora third. A very close finish made the race exciting, St. Anne only winning by about two lengths, and Fedora being about 50yds behind

Riwi. Mr J. A. Skinner officiated as starter and judge. The Pahi Regatta, which takes place on December 19, is being worked up by a strong committee, and should attract a number of visitors from Auckland. j$ The Ponsonby Regatta Committee should be pleased with the number of entries received on Monday night. The regatta, which takes place on Saturday, is one of the most popular events of the season, and the coming function promises to be as successful as its predecessors. The p.s Wakatere will act as flagship, and the first event starts at one o’clock. On Monday the Messrs Logan Bros, shipped to Adelaide the 1-rater they have been building. Muritai is her name, and she is of the ballast-fin tvpe;