THE WAITEMATA SWIMMING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 985, 21 January 1909, Page 12

THE WAITEMATA SWIMMING CLUB.

The third carnival promoted by this club took place at the Albert street baths on Friday and proved a great success, the building being crowded and the sport capital. The results were as ftniows: — Electric Handicap, 50yds; First heat—O. Anderson, 55., 1; J. Gibbons, 55., 2. Time, 355. Second heat —J. Underwood, 55., 1; W. Francis, 65., 2. Time, 325. Third heat—S. Dickey, 55., 1; E. McLaren, 65., 2. Time 335. Final heat — McLaren, 1; Underwood, 2. Time, 325. Novice Handicap, 50 yds: First heat —O. Anderson, Is., 1; D. G. Saunders, scratch, 2. Time, 335. Second heat —E. Underwood, 1; W. Johnstone, 65., 2. Time, 355. Third heat —G. Reid, 65., 1; H. Thomas, 45., 2. Time, 32 2-ss. Final heat—Reid, 1; Underwood, 2. Time, 32 2-ss. waitemata Club Championship, 100 yds: M. E. Champion, 1; A. O’Hare, 2. Seven started. Won easily. Time, 66 2-ss. Athletic Clubs’ Relay Race (for teams of five men each): City Footbad Club, No. 2. team, 1; Waitemata Boating Club team, 2. Six teams started, and the event was an exciting one. Geo. Tyler swam the last lap for the City team, but was closely pushed by E. Marett. City won by a touch. Boys’ (under 17) Handicap, 50yds: Final heat—F. Baker, 25., 1; J. Stewart, 65., and A. Matthews, 8 s., a dead heat for second place. An exciting finish, Baker getting ap in the last few strokes. Time, 345. Balloon Race: W. Francis, 1. New Year Handicap, 72yds: First heat —A. J. Campbell, 75., 1; L. Weston, 25., 2. Time, 49 s. Se>>nd heat —R. A. Hogan, 95., 1; J. Underwood, 75., 2. Time. 52 4-ss. Third heat —E. Marett, Is., 1; W. J Matthews, 65., 2. Time, 50s. Fourth heat —J. Percival, 55., 1; A. Waddell, 65., 2. Time, 48 l-ss. Fi al heat —Weston, 1; Campbell, 2. A great finish, not a length separating the eight s'aiders. Time, 525. Waitemata C ub Championship, 440 yds: M. E. 1; S. W. Kean, 2; F. J . Kernot, 3. Champion winning by about 20yds from Kean, vho beat h trnot by syds for secjni place. Time, 6m. 235. Committeemen's Race, 100 yards.— C. Weaver, 13s, 1; S. Dickey (scr.), 2. Won easily. Time, 74 l-ss.

Although there were only four starters in the Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s race on January 9 for the trophy presented by Mr M. Jenny, of New Zealand, the contest was an excellent one. The places were often changed, and the winner was never certain until the run to the finishing line. Fleetwing (lm start) proved victorious, Sunbeam (lm) beating Petrel (scratch) by one second for second place. Magic (2m) was the other starter.

Mr. G. W. Whatmore, who was the owner of the first Australian hydroplane, has recently imported a 34 hp. imperial racing engine with which to drive a new type of hydroplane. The previous engine, which was 14 horsepower, weighed 2401 b, while the present one, although 34 horse-power, only weighs 601 b more. It is therefore expected that with the new hull now in course of construction, which is being built of the lightest possible material, a speed will be attained far in advance of anything yet done in Sydney Harbour. * * * * The Auckland Rowing Club will hold a series of Trial Fours on Saturday for trophies presented by Dr. Stuart B. Reid, the commodore. * » * ♦ In addition to the local crews, Otago, Wellington, Canterbury, Blenheim and Wanganui will be represented at the New Zealand Championship Regatta at Mercer next month. * * * ♦ The Devonport Yacht Club will hold a picnic at Brown s Island on Saturday. The Dinghy Club will probably hold a race to the island in the afternoon. * * * * J. Williams, B. Kessell, G. Buchanan,, T. Davis (stroke) and A. Bongard (cox) won the final of the North Shore R.C. Trial Fours on Saturday, beating W. Logan’s crew by half a length. The racing all through was very keen, the water off Cheltenham Beach be±ng nice and smooth. Some interesting snapshots appear in this issue. • • • . * At the West End Trial Fours on Saturday, Dixon’s crew beat Rowe’s four by a length, with Carlaw’s crew in third position. The “At Home” proved a very pleasant one, and was largely attended. * * * * According to late English advices, Mr Mylne is to design, and Messrs. R. McAlister and Son are to build, a new 15-metre cutter for Mr W. P. Burton. In the last dozen years Mr Burton has wo,a 251 prizes with his 52-footers. Of these the Payne boat Penitent won 74, the Payne Gauntlet 14, the Fairlie Lucida 66, and the Mylne Britomart 97. << » ♦ ♦ The following crews have been selected to represent the Hamilton club at Hamilton on February 6, and at the championship meeting, to be held at Mercer on the following Saturday: —Heavy - weight Maidens: E. J. Mears stroke, E. Speedy 3, E. Blincoe 2, and J. Owen bow. Light-weight maidens: A. McKenzie, S. Tyerman, A. Mann'ng, and E. Bow. Youth’s fours: J. Qualtrough, J. Luxford, S. Davis, and J. Barker. Novice fours (those who have not competed at a regatta): W. Whitmore, J.Bettley, A. Pulford, and H. Hogan. * • • • The programme for the ThamesKopu Regatta, which will be held on January 29, comprises rowing, yacht, motor boat, and Maori canoe races, in addition to the usual side shows. Rowing men are well catered for, maiden fours (light and open weights), junior fours (light and open weights), senior fours, pair oars, and single sculls figuring on the programme. Entries close with Mr. W. W. Benjamin, Fort-street, Auckland, or with Mr. J. W. Rennick, secretary, Kopu, on Friday next. * * * * Of recent years many of the old customs formerly observed when cruising have died out (says the “Australasian”). Formerly it was considered rank discourtesy not to salute the senior officer of the club, when first met out sailing. Now, evidently, Jack is as good as his master, and salutes are rarely exchanged. Another point over which the younger generation of yachtsmen stumble is the leaving the burgee hoisted on their boats when on their moorings. It is no unusual thing at the more crowded anchorages to see several burgees flying on boats which are not out sailing from one week end to the other. The onlooker always sees most of the game, and when one is on the pier watching boats manoeuvring, it is surprising to see the errors even experienced yachtsmen make. The most common mistake is to have the topping lift tight, causing the sail to bag. Many seem to be ignorant of the rules of the road, especially when running free. Others again are so keen to keep out of all possible trouble that they unconsciously make trouble for themselves. It only requires a little more careful reading of the rules, and a lot of inconvenience would be avoided. Are we quite innocent of this sort of thing in Auckland?