YACHTING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1348, 27 January 1912, Page 14

YACHTING.

[B? Maiksheet.] BATHER BELLICOSE LETTER. To-day—P.N.Y.C. Picnic. Saturday, February 3—P.N.Y.C. handicap races,for first and second-class yachts, on Course No. 2. ' ■The Regatta. 'Anniversary Day was 'an ideal day, and for that alone it was extraordinary. So seldom is Wellington favoured with .sucli fine weather for its anniversary, tint yachtsmen invariably prepare tor the .worst, a.ud the worst is almost invariably' prepared, for them. Monday, however, gave yachtsmen their, opportunity aud thev took advantage'of it. No fewer than fourteen yachts crossed the starting line, i and although, perhaps, for some of them the breeze was hardly strong enough, keenly-contested races resulted. The first racc, from Halswell onwards, looked a certainty for Mahina, but the Waitangi was not to be denied. After passing the Mnritai and, rounding Halswell on tho boat- home the big black boat accounted for the Mahina rather easier than those in the vicinity, expected. iThe-Muritai-sailed wdl'in the morning, and in . the afternoon did even better. Her, close -finish with the, Windward in the second' race was brought • about lissome clever manoeuvring on the part of her sailing master (G. Bqthamley). With, a first and second to her credit the Amai carried off the honours of the day. . In .the afternoon .race , the other, boats ot' her class were simply not in it—. she.-iron as. she liked. ■The Taipari, cn the day's racing, proved, herself easily the fastest of her class, while she more ..than held her own with some of the first-class competitors. The launch, race was a sorry affair, and but ;for. tho giin shot announcing the Swan a winner the spectators might never have suspected a race. , ; ' A Reply to "Helmsman." In.reply to "Helmsman's" letter, which appeared in this. column last Saturday. "A Member of the 'Mismanagement'" Trrites as follows:— "Allow me, through the medium,of your valuable columns, to reply to 'Helmsman's' letter of last Saturday's issue. I regret exceedingly that 'Helmsman's' letter contiiued .no .ccnstrur.tive criticistr. which is.always welcomed by the committee of the P.N.Y.C.—instead he embarks on a long driydllous preamble., brimful of morose dissatisfaction. 1 It will be well at the outset to remind '.Helmsman' that tho P.N.Y.C. exists mainly: for the promulgation of ' the- sport of yachting,' and not for- his special behefit. "Firstly, tho question of an active canvass being pursued for ,funds was brought up by the management of tho 8.N.1 .C'.: and-defeated-by the members at the recent- meeting.'-If-'Helmsman' was . there why did he not protest' at the time? If he was ■ not,'present,- -there' is, also no exema for him. '■"The subject- of- pme-money'seems, td be'a vexed one with •'Helmsman.'■ ■ The reason 'for • the decrease in 'the prize-; money 'is very Simple. The • P.N.Y.C.wants' a club house, and the management is workiiig' strenuously towards that goal.', Heiice, when' it was' decided to race for pennants, the money usually .devoted to - ppze-mohey was diverted to that very laudable object—the club house. " 'Helmsman' is entirely wrong, in his statement concerning the decrease of entries. From figures I have before me, it may interest him to know that the entries are well, up to the standard of last and previous-years. I am totally unaware of any 'widespread dissatisfaction' existing- among yachtsmen of the P.N.Y.C. In conclusion, I offer this advice to 'Helmsman': Attend the meeting in future, voice your, opinion there, and bring forward your ■ 'valuable' sugges-tions,-but do not venture on tho stormy side of journalism to attack, and bring discredit upon a management that, in: my opinion, is honestly endeavouring to further tho, interests of -yachting." [A letter on the same subject lias been received from tho Commodore o£ the Port Nicholson Yacht Club. Unfortunately it arrived rather Into for inoliision in "World-of Sport" this week, but will appear nctt Saturday. It may he mentioned that all communications intended fur' "World oT Sport" should' readh Tm • Dominion- not later thau noou of Thursday each reek,J