AQUATICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 883, 7 February 1907, Page 10

AQUATICS.

“ The Reefer.”)

(By

Mr. C. Bailey, jun., launched on Thursday a handsome launch which he has built to the order of the Auckland Harbour Board. The new boat is 38ft in length, with a beam of B%ft, and is driven by a 15 h.p. Union engine, the speed realised being about nine knots. The cabin arrangement is somewhat novel, the engine-room being quite separate. Altogether the new boat is one of the finest launches on the Waitemata. * * * * The cutter Thelma has sailed on a fortnight’s cruise to the North. * * * * Commodore and Mrs. Whitley’s picnic to the members of the N.Z. Power Launch Association was a success. The Kestrel was well filled with visitors, while quite a number made the trip to Pine Island in launches. * » * • The rowing events postponed from the Anniversary Regatta took place on Saturday over a course from Campbell’s Point to the wharf. Results were as follows: — Maiden Fours: West End No. 1,1; Waitemata No. 1,2; North Shore, 3. Maiden Fours: Auckland, 1; West End No. 2,2; St. George’s, 3. Junior Fours: "Waitemata, 1; Auckland, 2; West End, 3. Junior Fours (open): Waitemata, 1; Auckland, 2. Senior Fours (open): Waitemata No. 1,1; Auckland, 2. Meteor. Bmin, won the All Yachts Race at the Sydney Anniversary Regatta from another Aucklander in Sunbeam, which was on scratch. The Queenslanders swept the board at the Anniversary Regatta in Sydney on January 26, winning each of the four races in which they were engaged, being also second in the two 14-footers’ races. The inter-State champion, Violet 11., won the 14ft handicap by Imin 39sec from Othello, which had lmin start; but, strange to say, the latter beat the champion in the scratch race by 3min 16sec. Somewhat similarly, also, Iduna won the first 10-f outers’ race, with Irex unplaced, and Irex won the other, with Iduna unplaced. ♦ * * * Spray won the Manukau Yacht Club’s Champion Cup on Saturday by 4% minutes from Hilda, which boat was followed in by Endeavour, Edna, and Mascotte in that order. » * * * The same club had a special handicap, which fell to the speedy scratch ■beat Ngaroma, beating Petrel by 1% minutes, after conceding her 40min. It takes a lot to keep Ngaroma from winning, and it is evident she is tne champion West Coaster. * * * * The Australasian Swimming Championships held at Christchurch resulted as follows: —100yds Championship: H. Baker (N.S.W.) 1, A. D. Hill (N.S.W.) 2, A. Harrowe (Q.) 3. Won by half a length. Time, 64 1-5 sec. 100yds Schoolboys’ Championship: R. E. Dodge (Canterbury) 1, R. Nelson (Wellington) 2. High Dive: H. Bennett (W.A.) 1, C. Moore (N.Z.) 2. One Mile Championship: F. W. Springfield (Q.) 1, R- Healey (N.S.W.) 2, A. McMillan (N.Z.) 3. Won by 70yds. Time, 26m. 7 2-ssec. The meeting will be continued to-day. * * * * The long-distance ocean-cruising race of the Royal N.Z. Yacht Squadron took place on Saturday, the prize being a silver cup. The entries and handicaps were: Ariki scratch, Moana Ih. 20m., Ida lh. 50m., Rangatira 3h. 20m., Huia 3h. 50m., Matangi 4h., Thistle 4h. sm. The course arranged was: Starting between Queen-street Wharf and markboat, thence around Canoe Rock, thence around the Cow and Calf off Coromandel, thence around Ponui Island, through Sandspit Passage, thence between Crusoe Island and Park Point, Wait eke, finishing at Matiatia. The distance taken in a direct line was about 85 knots (96% miles). Ariki was first over the starting line, followed by Moana, Thistle, Matangi, Ida and Huia, the latter being very late. The wind was light from the south, and when the Rangitoto Reef was abeam all had spinnakers set for the 21-knot run to Canoe Rock. Ariki was first round, followed by Moana, • Ida, Thistle and Matangi. Then commenced the long lead of 32% knots to the Cow and Calf, and with the wind against the tide there was a confused sea running. Thistle which was considered “a good thing” for the race, met with a mishap, and

had to retire. The wind fell very light on the 25%-knot homeward voyage, and near the Sandspit Passage the leading yachts were becalmed for a long time. The sternmost boat, Matangi, got a lift with a northerly slant, and she pulled up to the others. A light northerly brought the yachts along, and they were timed at Matiatia —Ariki 12h. 57m. 10s., Moana lh. Im. 155., Ida lh. 14m., Matangi lh. 38m., Huia did not finish. On time allowance the result was Matangi (E. Alison) 1, Ida (C. P. Murdoch) 2, Moana (A. Seccombe) 3. There was also a Motor Boat Race, the entries and handicaps being—Karoro scratch, Ripple 60m., Geisha 90m. Course: Starting between Queen-street Wharf and markboat, thence around Tiri and Shag Rock, thence off Waiheke, keeping outside of the Noisies and David Rocks, also outside Tarakihi (shag rock), thence Sandspit Passage, thence between Crusoe Island and Park Point, Waiheke, finishing at Matiatia, Waiheke. Distance, 56 knots (63% miles). Karoro drew well away, Ripple also dropping Geisha. The latter boat, curiously enough, did best in the broken water outside Waiheke, and ultimately saved her time by the narrow margin of 29sec. r Karoro beating Ripple by a little over 4m. Geisha has a Standard engine, Karoro a Union, and Ripple a Lozier, and all three ran at top speed without the slightest hitch whatever.