AQUATICS

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 532, 28 February 1901, Page 8

AQUATICS

I By

Spinnaker

Among our illustrations in this issue are pictures of two yachts which should interest our local readers. The erstwhile Auckland 20ftrater Mercia, owned by Mr W. A. Crane, the handiwork of Messrs Logan Bros, winning the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club’s race in Sydney Harbour The Auckland Swimming Club held a gala at the Albert-street Baths last week which attracted a fair number of spectators. The sports proved of a high standard, the finishes in most of the events being closely contested. The arrangements were admirable, thanks to the efforts of the joint secretaries, Messrs H. G. Chevis and P. H. Hughes, aided by the committee. The following were the officials: —Judges, Messrs R. W. St Clair and S. E. Hughes; timekeepers, Messrs W. Dickey and W. Moore; starter, Mr A. Goldwater; check starter, Mr J. W. Gittos; referee, Mr W. B. Eyre; call and costume stewards, Messrs E. J. Carr and H. G. Chevis ; result board' E. O’Hare. "White’s string band played selections during the evening. The following are the results of the events 72yds Handicap -. First heat —H. S. Hall, IJs., 1; P. Graham, IJs., 2. Second heat — G. Burke, 55., 1;E. O. Mueller, 5s , 2. Third heat—W. E. Dervan, 65., 1; W. R. Cox, 75., 2. Final—Burke, 1, Cox, 2 ; Dervan, 3. Time, 49 2 ss. Graham did not start. Girl's Handicap, 50yds : First heat— Miss Daisy Brown, 75., 1; Miss K. Stevenson-Wrack, 45., 2. Second heat Miss May Anderson, 45., and Miss Rita Moritzson, 95., (dead heat), 1. Final—Miss Daisy Brown, 1; Miss Rita Moritzson, 2; Miss K. Stevenson-Wrack, 3. 72yds Handicap (boys -Under 16) : First heat— F. Kernott, 135., and G. Kean, scratch (dead heat), 1; B. Blakey, 7s , 3. Second heat —P. Warbrick, 45., 1 ; T. Foley, 65., 2 ; F Bines, 10s , 3. Final—Warbrick, 1, Foley, 2; Kernott, 3. Time, 53 2-5 s 108yds Handicap : First heat —W. E. Derwin, 10s., 1; W. T. Tyler, 5s , 2. Second heat—J. W. Russell, 10s., 1: W. B. Cox, lie., 2. Final—Derva?, 1; Cox, 2; Tyler, 3. Time, Im. 255. Relay Race (two widths) teams: City A and B, Parnell and P nsonby, The victory fell to City A, the team comprising W. T.Tyler, A. Johnson, E. O’Hare, P. Graham, and W. E. Dervan Mr W. E. Cossar gave exhibitions of fancy swimming during intervals, which were loudly applauded. Exhibitions of life-saving were also given by some young ladies. M. J. Slack, last year’s Australian amateur champion sculler, who won the sculls last May at Brisbane, has retired from rowing. He has taken a pupil in hand, J. Lumsden, who is reported to be rowing so well that it is hoped that he will prove a worthy successor to Slack, and that he will represent Queensland on the Parramata in May next for the Am teur Championship of Australia. Slack also won the sculls in 1896 on the Parramatta, and has been a good performer ever since, but was easily beaten on the Yarra by Daley in 1899. W. A. Barry has issued a midwinter challenge to the effect that he will allow any English sculler lOsec over the Thames course for £lOO or £2OO a-side. The only men who can be con-

sidered in the matter are Harding, Haines, Emmett and, perhaps, Cornwall. Of course Suillivan is not yet considered an English sculler, although it is six years since he took up his residence m London.

Entry night in connection with the Auckland Anniversary Regatta is fixed for Wednesday, March 6. The canvass for subscriptions has been very liberally met, and the Regatta should prove a very successful affair, in spite of the forced postponement from Anniversary Day. The annual Northern Wairoa Regatta was held at Kopuru on February 16. The day was fine and there was a good attendance of the public. The barque Woosuug was the flagship. The steamers Pilot and Tangihua were also in attendance in following the races, and helping in other ways, whilst the gasoline launches were busy ferrying passengers. The Kopuru bluff afforded a grand vantage ground to spectators. The Kopuru Band was in attendance and their playing was greatly appreciated. The committee had worked hard to secure good results, and’great credi r, is due to them, especially to the hon secretary, Mr W. Phelan. Mr Hammond and Messrs J. ano J. C. Anderson also rendered efficient help. Mr J. Dennin gave every satisfaction as judge Many of th» races were very well contested. Altogether, the regatta was a pronounced success. The Auckland Swimming Club will hold a carnival in the Graving Dock on Saturday, March 16th. Competitors are reminded that the rule as to costumes will on that occasion be strictly enorced. All costumes and trunks must be of the

same colours, and any other kind will disqualify the wearer. The Parnell Sailing Club was favoured with a fine breeze from between west and north-west on Saturday, when the second series of races was decided. Mr F. W. Coombes acted as judge and starter, and the general arrangements were in the hands of Mr Louis Lewis, the Club’s secretary, who also had the assistance of Mr W. Jagger, the commodore. The yacht Viking, through the kind permission of Messrs Bloomfield, was used as a flagship. Twenty-six foottrs: Course— From mark boat off Judge’s Bay, thence round mark off Hobson Bay, thence round chequered (second buoy in Rangitoto Channel), thence round mark off Queen-street Wharf, finishing southside of markboat in Judge’s Biy; twice round. The scratch boat, Pastime, did not start, and this only left Kotiro (handicap and Waitangi (handicap of 6min) in the race. The finishing times, deducting the second boat’s handicap, were : Kotiro, 5h 23min 50sec, 1; Waitangi, 5h 33min 25sec, 2. Twenty-two footers : Course —From markboat off Judge’s Bay, round buoy off Hobson Bay, round Sandspit buoy, round buoy off Calliope Dock, round buoy off Queenstreet Wharf to starting point ; twice round. Mjra, scratch; Waimoa, 3min; Kotare, 17min; Mercia, 18min ; Merlin, 23min. The boats were got away well together, and Mjra. Waimoa, and Kotare were not long in drawing away from the others, in the order mentioned. The flagship was passed as un er : Myra, 4h 45min 20sec; Waimoa, 4h 46min 33jec ; Kotare, 4h 56min 36«ec ; Merlin, 5h 4min 30sec"; Mercia, 5h lOmin.

On time allowance, however, the Kotare won by Imin 54sec from Merlin, with Waimoa third, and Myra fourth. The race was started at three p.m. Eatikis : Course, the same as for 22-footera. Eka. 2min handicap; Rita, 2min; Kangaroo, 2|min; Zoe, 3imin, were getting away to a splendid start when an unfortunate accident, which disabled the first-named boat, occurred. Just as the gun went Kangaroo and Eka fouled on the line, and a collision resulted in two or three of Eka’s planks being smashed in, thereby putting her out of the race. After a good race, the finishing times were : Rita, 5h 56min Isec ; Kangaroo, 5h 56m 12sec ; Zoe, 5h 57min 30sec. On time a lowance Kangaroo won by 18sec, with Zoe second and Rita .third. Open Handicap t Course : the same as for 26-footers. Aorere, the only competitor to start out of the four entered, sailed the course.