AQUATICS

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 499, 15 February 1900, Page 6

AQUATICS

[By

SPINNAKER.]

The annual picnic of the Auckland Yacht Club, combined with the North Shore Sailing Club, was held at Home Bay, Motutapu, last Saturday. A large number of yachts assembled in the Bay, and the steamer Eagle conveyed friends and non-members of the club to the rendezvous, where a number of sports and games were arranged and carried out successfully. After tea a piano was brought ashore, and an open air concert was held, a good programme being gone through. The musical arrangements were in the hands of Messrs L Lewis and A. Gibbs, and Hunter’s Band enlivened the proceedings with selections. Messrs Bellamy and Wilkinson, the two club secretaries, worked hard, and made the function a success. The Engle left the Bay on the home trip, and arrived at the wharf at 10.30 o’clock, landing all well pleased with the outing. There was a large number of yachts in the Bay. The West End Rowing Club held a series of trial fours last Saturday, for the set of gold medals presented by Mr A. Kohn, a vice-presi-dent of the club. The club’s boathouse was gaily decorated for the occasion. Tea,and refrushmer ts were dispersed by a ladies committee. Mr A. Kohn acted as judge, and Mr Bruce Lloyd as starter. The first heat was won by Mr N. W. Rees’ crew from R. Cook’s. The second heat of four crews was won by Littleproud’s, by a few feet. Four crews competed in the third heat, which was won by R. Doull’s crew. Fourth

heat, of four crews, was won by the crew stroked by Carder by a length. After a spell the four winning crews went out to contest the final, and it proved a great battle, from an even start. After a close race, Rees’ crew proved victorious, the members of the crew being: R. W. Ree» (stroke), F. Stevenson, Noonan, W. Bigelow, Elliott (cox), who receive the medals; and the second crew —R. Doull (stroke), Sainty, Alieter, Stephenson, and R, Reid (cox) —gets the club prizes.

The members of the St. George’s Rowing Club held their fourth set of trial fours on Saturday last, tor the gold medals presented by Mr A. Kohn, one of the vice-commodores of the club. The heats were well contested, and some good and exciting races took place. The final race between Thomson’s and Busby’s crews was a good one, and resulted in a win for J. Thomson (stroke), C. E. Stowe, H. Saunders, J. O’Sullivan, R. 8. Whitley (cox). Messrs Pittar (2), A. Logan, and Whitley, a part of Rainbow’s crew, returned to Auckland from Sydney by the Mararoa on Sunday last, well satisfied with the result of their trip. They speak most enthusiastically as to the treatment they received from the Sydney yachtsmen. The Mararoa was expected at about three o’clock in the afternoon, and a big crowd of yachts assembled off the Lake Reach to give the passengers a reception, but as the boat did not arrive until nearly seven this idea had to be abandoned. Mr C. Bailey also returned by the Mararoa. The N Z. Swimming Association has fixed the following dates for its championship events:— March 3, 100yds and 220yds; March 5, halfmile ; March 7, Quarter-mile and Plunge. As a number of Southern competitors are expected, the Association should have a successful meeting. The Ngaruawahia Rowing Club will be able to compete at the Ngaruawahia Regatta in the gig events, as they have received a clinker four from Edwards and Son, of Melbourne, and should make the Auckland clubs look to their laurels, as they will be usod to river rowing. / The start of the Prince Alfred Yacht Club race, on Saturday week, savored something of a minature naval engagement than a start for a yacht race. The Auckland yachts being amongst the wounded and disabled, the following from the Sydney Mail will be of interest:—“ Nearing the line Bain bow had a slight advantage, with Defender on her weather quarter, Bona being in a similar position with the latter The three lead® ing yachts apparently just scraped the starter’s boat, with scarcely enough room to spare; anyway, they cleared this mark, each of the two following yachts calling out for searoom, but through a misunderstanding, probably on the leading craft, this was not quite clearly understood, and in the next few seconds Bainbow appeared to' luff somewhat, the consequence being that Defender’s bowsprit picked up the leash of Rainbow’s sail, the impact throwing the latter on the Defender’s weather side. In the meantime Bona came rushing along, with apparently no choice between running over th® starter’s boat or fouling the two craft in collisions The latter course was quickly decided upon, and just after crossing the line Bona picked up some of Rainbow’s standing forward gear, the result being that both lost their jibbooms. Bona got clear soon after, and was towed to her moorings. Rainbow, however, sustained some damage to her port rail, and in addition had her mainsail badly torn. The topsail also came to grief while in contact with Defender, her jib not escaping damage when Bona struck her.” White Wings finished first, Isea- second, Aoma third. On (be handicap, Isea wins, defeating Aoma by 36sec, White Wings third.