AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 42, 18 February 1905, Page 12

AQUATICS.

Some yachtsmen seem to be under the impression that the protests in connection with the last anniversary regatta were finally dealt, with by the committee last week. This is not so. The first report of the Sailing Committee W.i 9to have been presented at a meeting of the committee last night. A large number of boats left their moorings on Saturday last for their usual week end cruise. Most of them were caught, as the saying goes, by delaying their return journey on Sunday, as the -wind dropped towards four or five o'clock and in many instances the moorings were not picked up until a very late hour.. Among the boats at Waiheke were the Ida, at Putiki Bay, Thetis, Thistle and Gloriana at Squadron Bay, and Moaiia at Awaroa Bay. The yachts Janet, Wairiri, and Wairiki, which left together on a fortnight's cruise North, are expected to return today, j The Royal New Zealand Yacht Sqiutd-! ion are thinking seriously of changing their club rooms to the new building, now iin course of direction, at the head of the Queen street wharf to the order of Mr J. Kiidean. As regards the site I do not think a better one could be obtained, but is is tile financial phase that the members of the squadron have to face. It is stated that the proposed new rooms will cost the club a great deal more than what they are now paying. A special meeting of the members will be held next Thursday evening to decide the question. Messrs Logan Bros, have just completed a 20 ft. launch (5 h.p. engine) for Mr Bailey, of Waiheke. They are building another boat of- the same dimensions to order. Mr. A. T. Pittar, who was the original owner of the Rainbow, is having another boat of somewhat . similar size built by Messrs. Logan Bros. I understand it is Mr. Pittar's intention to take the boat to Sydney to compete in the championship yacht race next season. A new boat is being built in Sydney from English designs to compete in this race, and there will evidently be a pood deal of rivalry between the two. The Auckland boat will be commenced as soon as 0112 or two contracts now on hand at the builders' yard arc completed On last Saturday's showing there can be no doubt left as to which is the faster boat, the Union or the Slim Jim. Tht? Lane built boat won easily, and the skipper of the Union did not offer any excuses. There is some truth, however, 'In his statement that the Union lost a lot of gTound in rounding the as she had to slow down, whereas her rival was able to round them at top speed. Even in a straight course J think the Slim Jim would win. That the oil launch Slim Jim ■was built for speed is recognised at a glance. She is without .1 donbt the lightest boat fitted with powerful machinery about Auckland, and if phenomenal speed is not developed it is not the fault of the hull. Tho way the boat skips over the water instead of ploughing through it as most boats do is a treat to watch. It is doubtful, however, if boats of the Slim Jim class should be encouraged, as their utility in any sort of a seaway, such as is met in cruising, is questionable. The Ponsonby Cruising Club's annual picnic will be held at Pine Island next Saturday. The yacht Speedwell returned from a week's cruise round the Wade and Coromandel. The Home Bay Sailing Club were holding a number of races this afternoon. The West End Rowing Club were holding trial fours this afternoon for trophies presented by Mr A. Kohn, Vice-president. Auckland and Waiteinata sire the only local rowing clubs that will be represented at the New Zealand Championship Eegatta, to be held in* Wellington next month. The Auckland Rowing Club- have purchased from tho West End Club their Best-and-Best four oar outrigger. This is to enable Auckland's senior crew to compete in the Championship Fours at the Championship Regatta. The • crew have also been entered for the Senior Race. Waitemata will gend their heavyweight maiden crew to Wellington to take part in the Championship Regatta there. The boat-building trade on the whole is slack at present. At the various yards, however, several small orders are being executed jvhieh just keep the regular hands employed, and in an isolated case a big job is in progress. The lull is considered ouly a momentary one. particulars of the trans-Atlantic yacht race for the Kaiser's Cup have now been circulated. It is open to sailing yachts of any nation, provided that they are of not less than 200 tons burtheu, Thames measurement. It will start from Sandy "kook lighthouse on May 15 next, and finish at the Lizard lighthouse, Cornwall. Auxiliary steam yachts must remove their propellers. Entries close on April 1, and there is no entrance fee. There will be no time allowance; all boats will start level, and the first in will take the cup; while there will be additional valuable prizes in the proportion of one to every three starters. There is every Jikeiih'ood of a considerable entry, for five German yachts are expected to compete, while from America we hear of about a dozen "probables," including Columbia, which in 1899 successfully defended the America Cup from the attack of Sir T. Lipton's first of three luckless Shamrocks. The Kaiser's great personal friend, Lord Lonsdale, has undertaken the formation of an English committee of selection to choose the British yachts that shall take part in the race. *