YACHTING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1623, 14 December 1912, Page 12

YACHTING.

[Bi Mainshbet.] SUMMER ON THE HARBOUR. Ron) Yatching Weather. Yatchsmen are- taking Ml advantage of the glorious we.ithor noiv pr-evailinj;. The conditions .last Sunday were enouirh to make the veriest ''land lubber wish that he was on the sea. It was an ideal yachting day, beautiful hot sunshine, and just sufficient wind to fill tho sails. The rendezvous for the yachtsmen on Sunday was Lowry Bay. As most people know, this pretty little nook which litfs a little to ttie north of Day's Bay, is an ideal rendezvous for yachtsmen. . ■ To Kuril Social Cruising Club held an on! ing at the bay; and this , attracted a largo and representative gathering of yachts and launches. A good number of yachts and launches were also scan at Day's Bay. The entrance to Port Nicholson is not too far for a yacht to go on a fine day, and Inst Sunday twins such, quite a number ventured oceimwards. From Bona Bay yachts could be seen cruising right down at tho entrance. Somo were even seen round at Lyall Bay. Scenic charm, too, was to be won by cruising. On Sunday the Kaikoura mountains were visible, and these, with the intervening middle distances, made quite a picture. The mountains themselves— no clear was the air—looked as if they had been lifted tip bodily nnd anchored a few cables out in the Strait. Sir Thomas Upton. Sir Thomas Lipt»n'3 invitation to Australia to take part in the 23-metre yacht rnce to be held during the San Francisco Exhibition in connection with the opening •of the Panama Canal, is a W; order (states the "Referee"), and one that is not iikey for various reasons to meet with tho response that that worthy knight would imagine. In the first place some millionaire yachtsman woud liavo to be found bofore the proposition could lie entertained. Then tho question of a designer qualified to prepare plans for a 23-metre boat would have to be considered. Lastly, the mustering of a crpw locally able to take charge of a yacht of Shamrock's size would be no easy task. But if it were practicable, what an achievement it would ' bo for Australia to be represented at so distinguished an international gathering as is foreshadowed. Sir Thomas Lipton '. in making his suggestion was, no doubt, ' influenced through having met several prominent Australian yachtsmen. He, however, has but a small idea of th<? resource at the disposal of Australian yachting enthusiasts. The Races on Saturday. Lost Saturday's races took place in a howling northerly gale, and all the yachts wee reefed down. The most recent arrival from 'Auckland—Matangi—succeeded in winning the first-class yacht race with 5 minutes to spare. This yacht is - evidently just the boat to do things in a "blow." In the first race of the season for firstclass yachts the IVnirere II secured first place/.but liatangi did not compete. Wairere II camo second, so it rather seems that this fast yacht hns something "up apninsl: her" in ITataiißi. • In the second-class event the Lizzie succeeded in securing first place with only-a minute to snare. She started from scratch and was giving Eawenc 7 minutes, and the latter vcsssl only finished a minute Infer than her rival. In each of the two second-class races Taipari line finished botli times with two words before- her name—"also started." Rufely there must bs something wrong if. she cannot make her presence felt? She is n smart little packet, and she carries n crew of thoroiisrh who know their business. The "Tni" had a handicap of Bix minutes last Saturday, and she ought to have secured a place. ■■ Auckland Yachtsmen Enthusiastic. Auckland yaolitsmen are more enterprising than us Wellingtoni'mis. They arc most enthusiastic, for whenever there is the slightest opportunity fol' them to make themselves felt, they arc not slow to grasp it. They have always been Very much nlive to the advantage of bavins the Governor of Nefr Zenkmd associated with rhe sport, but the writer <-annot remember any occasion on which a s'mi'ar patrnna.ee' has been extended in 'Wellington. Whv? It is certainly not the Governor's fault. Yachtsmen's Farewell to Lord Islington. Writing a'xmt tba Auckland yachtsmen's farewell to the Governor, tho "New Zealand Yachtsman" cays-.—"The fail and power yachtsmen of Auckland, together with their friend's, to the number of over 2080,' assembled in full fore? on X-Jvembrr !!0 to bid farewell to file departing Governor. Lord Islington. The commodore of tho l'ovior Beat Association, to whom was allotted the -honour of eonvcyini? Lord Islington from the If an o'-war Steps to tlio vocht Yikiiw, was in readiness in his fine hunch Mavis, mid promptly at 2.30 his Excellency arrived and was escorted on board Mavis, which at once got under weigh and in a fen- minutes landed our departing Governor on board the Viking, where ho was welcomed by Mr. E. Davis and Commodore Bloomficld and the Vicej'pijnl f!aj hoisted at (hfi (onmnst head, which wai at onco saluted by 10 guns from H.M.S. Torok,'^

The Mahaki and a Rook, Thero is eomo talk amongst local yaohtsttcn to the effect that tho yacht Mahail 'had an "expericnco" on Saturday or Sunday liist. Of course it might bo only raoro talk, but from what can bo gathered tho Mahaki performed soino "unrehearsed effects," which havo very rarely happened in our harbour. It seems that tho vessel lvna cruising round in tho vicinity of Somea Island, when sho is believed (o havo hm on to a reef, bnmning over tho top of it. Sho did not make any water, so sho could not havo been damaged very much. A. similar c.tporionco happened to another yaobt on a rock off Point -Teriiingham a couple of years ago. . To Ruru Club's Programme. The following is tho To Ruru Social Cruising Club's programme for tho present season .—January 13, 1913, cruising raco for Mr. J. J. Clarke's trophy; February 1, cruising raco for Te liuru challenge cup and Mr. Brooko Taylor's pennant; February 1, launch cruising race for Mr. Byrn's trophy; February 2, novel raco for Mr, Kidman's trophy; February 15, ladies' cruising race for the "Ethel' trophy; February 10, cruising raco for club championship and Mr, J. J. Firth's trophy; February 10, lannch cruising race for "Roan's" trophy; March 9, club outing; March 23, club outing; April 20, consolation raoo for Mr. Dwyer's trophy. ,