AQUATICS

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 974, 5 November 1908, Page 10

AQUATICS

The sailing season in Auckland will open on Saturday next, when there should be a good muster of yachts and power boats. A number will be launched this week, but there will be nothing like the full strength of the Waitemata fleet represented. 'levertheleiss, with a fine afternoon the harbour should present a pretty sight on Saturday. The N.Z. Power Boat Association open the season on the same date with the customary evolutions. also some of the rowing clubs. * * * * The big 43-ft. power launch which Messrs Tyler and Harvey have built to the order of Mr. A. Brett, has been completed, and makes a notable addition to the Waitemata fleet. She will fly the commodore’s broad pennant on Saturday. ♦ ♦ * ♦ Those two keen rivals, Thelma and Rainbow have been launched and are now at their moorings. Both are in fine order, and doubtless the season will witness some close battles between the pair ♦ * ♦ o Heartsease went round to the Church-street Wharf at Devonport on Saturday to have her mizzen mast stepped. On Sunday it was blowing very hard when the yawl beat back under staysail and jigger, and she was throwing the spray about in clouds. During the night the moorings had sunk, and as it would have been folly to trust to a small anchor with a gale blowing on a lee shore, the big yawl beat over to Parnell, when a second anchor and sheltered water were found. * * * * It is quite evident that the best racing this season will be between the 26-footers, as there will be a number of new boats to tackle the former cracks. Sailing men are looking forward to the first meeting of the boats. The St. George’s Rowing Club will open the season on Saturday with the customary Trial Fours and “At Home” at Judge’s Bay. # * * * It has been decided that the N.Z. R.A. Championship Regatta will take place on the Waikato River at Mer cer. ® ® • Mr. R. R. Bigelow, hon. sec. West End Rowing Club, courteously sends me a card of invitation to the Club’s “At Home” and Trial Fours, which will take place at St. Mary’s Bay, Ponsonby, next Saturday. The following crews have been selected to compete for trophies presented by Mr. Thos. Peacock: —W. Trevarthen, W. Massey, J. Armitage, C. Moses; H. Rowe, A. Blakey, L. Mark, R. McDonald; L. Dixon, W. Davidson. W. Mason, N. Cossey; F. Baker, I. Kelly, P. Weston, C. Purcell; A. Carlaw, E. Hennelly, G. Wright, E. Armstrong; W. Wright,

C. Dunning, T. McNab, A. Webber; S. Haszard, J. Grundy, T. Bell, S. M. Barry; W. O. Carlaw, A. Alison, P. Wright, A. Rowlands; G. S. Mitchell, M. Alison, A. McKinnon, A. Kelly; W. Littleproud, C. Trevithick, G. McLeod, C. Rae; M. Cole, M. Hooper, J. Courteney, C. Cowan; T. Blomfield, A. Bennett, A. Frederic, C. Culpan. » * * * Although the water was rather rough on Saturday, the Auckland Rowing Club’s first “At Home” of the season was a great success, and a large number of visitors attended. A number of heats were raced off, but the final was not decided. Afternoon tea was provided, and those who attended appeared to thoroughly enjoy the function. ’♦■ * * * Several sharks were seen in the harbour last week, so bathers should be careful. Why a city of the size and importance of Auckland should be left so long without bathing facilities is something of a mystery. There is only one course of action possible with those responsible for such disgraceful neglect. Fire them out of office! **■ * * The second deposit in the sculling contest between Thoroughgood and Whelch has been made good, and the two men are hard at work at Raymond Terrace (says tne “Referee”). Thoroughgood is rowing very well, and his supporters at this early stage are confident that he will retain the title. The alteration in the gear since his race with Charlie Towns suits him admirably, enabling him to take a much longer stroke. Whelch .ooks a comparative midget when placed alongside of his burly opponent. He has rather a fine chest, but otherwise his dimensions are small. For a small man he gets wonderful pace out of his boat. His stroke is shorter and quicker than Thoroughgood’s, but he appears to be a sticker, and already he has created a decidedly favourable impression.