AQUATICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 932, 16 January 1908, Page 12

AQUATICS.

(By

“The Reefer.”)

THE NORTH SHORE YACHT CLUB. The North Shore Yacht Club sailed a series of races on Saturday under very pleasant weather conditions, the wind, however, being rather light. The course for Class 2 was 13 knots, the entries and handicaps being as follows: —Kotiri scratch; Ngatira, 7m.; Waione, 7m.; Wairiki, 11%m.; Rosina, 17m.; Eulalie, 20m. All started. The finishing times were as follows: —Waione, sh. 6m. 55.; Ngatira, sh. 10m. 245.; Kotiri, sh. 11m. 485.; Wairiki, sh. 21m. 415.; Rosina. sh. 33m. 435.; Eulalie, sh. 45m. 20s. Waione was first, Ngatira second and Kotiri third.

Class 3: Course, same as Class 2. The entries and handicaps were: Emerald, scratch; Hilda, Im.; Glady, Maru. 5%m.; Tiro, 5%m.; Ranee, Mignonette, Bm. All started, with the exception of Hilda. Emerald finished first, Glady second, and Tiro third. On time allowance Glady was first, Emerald second, and Tiro third. A motor launch race was held, the course being eight knots. Entries and handicaps were: Shadow, scr.; Alleyne, 2m.; Floral 17m.; Gloria, 17m.; Tempest, 19m.; Snowflake, 26m.; Edna, 27m.; Esma, 27m.; Raumarie, 27m. This race resulted in a win for Floral, with Gloria second.

On the return from Gisborne Mr. Horton’s cutter Ariki was hauled up at North Shore to see what damage had resulted from her mishap at Tologa Bay. She was found to be as sound as a bottle, the only damage being that the copper had been twisted off on both sides. This, of course, is a small matter, and can soon be rectified. The yacht will be overhauled, sails scrubbed, etc. before she goes afloat again.

By the way, while on the subject of Ariki, I am reminded that one of our weeklies has been writing a lot of rubbish concerning the accident. The writer of this effusion would apparently wish all our yachtsmen to keep inside Rangitoto when going for a sail, and if they desire to venture out as far as Tiri they must obtain a professional sailing master. Has . the scribe never heard of a professional sailing master getting his vessel ashore? Why, it is not necessary to go farther than that very spot, viz,. Tologa Bay, to find a case. The gratuitous insult to the members- of the crew may well be smiled at by Messrs. Horton and Co., because whatever faults our amateur yachtsmen may possess, incompetence and inexperience are not included. This is conclusively proved by the fact that, although Auckland possesses a very large pleasure fleet, and the majority of the yachts are constantly -away cruising, sometimes going hundreds of miles, accidents are of so rare occurrence that when one aoes happen, such as in the case of Ariki, it causes quite a sensation. 1 doubt whether man for man more competent yachtsmen can be found in any part of the world than those manning the whitewinged fleet on the Waitemata today. We have far too much grand-

motherly legislation to-day in the Dominion without our yachtsmen being put into swaddling clothes. This was not the way the Viking breed was developed in days of old. By all means let us encourage our yachtsmen in -every possible way, for a healthier or more manly pastime than theirs -does not exist. If the writer of the article is afraid to go afloat without a sailing master, let him confine his cruises to a trip round the harbour on a ferry boat or else do what from his own account he does seem to have a knowledge of, and sail a toy boat in a wash-tub. But for goodness -sake, don’t write any more nonsense about what he does not understand, and please spare us the leading strings advice. We can do without it.

The Manukau Yacht Club’s race for the Lomax -trophy was sailed on Saturday, and was won by Hilda (17min), steered by Arthur Jeffs. Heather (scratch) was four minutes astern, with Viking, Clematis, _ Amua Mahinga, Spray, and Adieu in that order.

The wellknown cutter Rainbow has had a fine cruise. The sailed on December 25, and put in at Waiheke Kawau, Whangarei, Great Barrier ( Mercury Bay, Tauranga, Mayor Island and Slipper Island. Beautiful weather was enjoyed, especially on the latter part of -the cruise.

Logan Bros, have just finished a power canoe for the Wanganui River. She is 50ft long, and is driven by a 30 h.p. engine. A high speed is anticipated.

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron hold cruising races for yachts and power launches on Saturday. I hope the entries will be much larger than last time.

The West End Rowing Club are holding a moonlight excursion to-mor row evening.

The New Zealand swimming championships will take place at Napier on March 19 and 23.