YACHTING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1569, 12 October 1912, Page 12

YACHTING.

[Br llainsheet.]

WHAT WAY TO OPEN THE YEAR?

A Plea for a Combined Water Festival,

Wellington's principal yacht club—the P.N.Y.C—has had its annual 'meeting, and now the only thing of importance which remains to bo done is drawing up arrangements for the opening day, -which will probably take place on November 9. There is also the question of drawing up the season's programmes, but tn have a successful season, a successful opening is essential. Previous opening days have been carried out individually by each club, but the co-operation of all clubs would bo' much better. These individual opening ceremonies have been a success in a minor way, but one is inclined to think that, if all the clubs in. Wellington combined for an opening day, success would be asWit'h the full flotilla of Wellington's yachts and launches, it seems incredible that the idea of a combined opening has not been suggested by members of tho various clubs before. At Somes Island, for Instance? The writer suggests that a representative of all tho clubs—including the Heretaunga Boating Club—ehould bo appointed to meet, and decide upon arrangements for an opening day. The affair could be held at one of the bays—maybe tho Government might place a part of Somes Island at the disposal of the yachtsmen. There is no doubt that the island would be an ideal place for a day's outing. The clubs could then hire the services of a 6teamer for the day and those unable to bo accommodated in. tho yachts would be able to take the steamer. Mr. M'Donald, a keen yachtintr enthusiast of Petone, has, it is understood, been in communication with the parent club regarding a combined opening. The parent club also received an offer of cooperation from the Wellington Cruising Club, who are no doubt anxious to see a successful opening day. This club has a small fleet of iarge yachts and the members of the club are keen yachtsmen. Tho To Aro Sailing Club are also anxious to seo a combined opening. If tho motor-boat club were , approached, they would be only to willing to join in the opening day function. Some may think that the idea would not even attract tho interest of the general public, but be it understood, that if it was decided' to hold a combined opening, and a steamer were chartered, and the affair was given us much publicity as possible, tho public would not be slow in responding to a call of an enjoyable day's outing. It is to be hoped that tho clubs wilt take this matter in hand, as it is an excellent chance of increasing tho interest in yachting. The Boat Harbour News. The numbers of both small and largo craft on the "hard" at the Boat Har-

bour aro beginning to be overhauled by their respective owners. All the packets are receiving their usual annual painting up, and on a fine Saturday the enthusinst is to bo seen hard tit work. At Martin's Bay the same eagerness amoUßst tho yachtsmen is met with. Tho Taiparo will in all probability be fitted with a now euit of Auckland sails before tho racinpc

Mr. Nelson has disposed of his fine •little boat Nikau to local yatching man. Her new owner, it ie understood, intends to race her during the coming season. Tho Nikau, which was built to the order of Mr. Nelson some years ago, was originally a centre-board boat, but was lately converted into a deop-keeler. She is still in splendid condition, and is capable of putting up .a fast performance.

Mr. Charles Moore, brother of Messrs. \V. and P. Moore, owners of the Mahina, who was a prominent member of the old Thorndon Dinghy Club, has returned to Wellington after a lengthy stay in the Old Country.

It is understood that arrangements are being matlo for the installation of an engine in the yawl Eawene. The idea of installing engines in the yachts is evidently a piece of strategy on the part of yachtsmen in order that they might not be "left" when the wind drops.

America, has invented a new sport— automobile-polo. The first game was re- ' uently played in Kansas on (ho Wichata Plain, under the official patronage of the Governor of Kansas, wlio acted as referee. The loams were of four cars aside, each car carrying a chauffeur and a player armed with an ordinary polo stick. In the report the distance between tho goalposts is given as 100 metres, though this Stems entirely inadequate- for manoeuvring fast motor-cars. In view of accidents there was a plentiful supply of doctors on tho field. There was a largo attendance, and the play was extremely eventful, if one may judge by tho results. The winning team scored seven goals, smashed two motor-cars, and had three of its members severely wounded. The losing side scored fivo goals, one smashed motor-car, and two wounded. Fivo out of eight participants ■n-ei-o 'severely wounded, and three out of eight cars were ruined.

Twomomborsofthe International -Summer School of Thposophists held at Torquay—Mr. Charles Lazenby, of Toronto, anil Miss Swan Clark, of Glasgow—were married on August 21. The ceremony took place nt a registry office, and afterwards Mr. D. N. Dunlop, director of the school, gave an address to the bride nnd bridegroom and other'members of tho school. He asked them to remcnibei the perfect equality of man and woman, and said the husband should not "suppress the wife's individual evolution, nor mako it subservient to his own."

Mother: "Neliy nnd her husband are still quarrelling. Father; "What, does ho still object to her wearing high heelsf" Mother: "Yes, and why should eho lowor hersolf to ploaso him P".