YACHTING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1728, 19 April 1913, Page 12

YACHTING.

0 [Bt Main-sheet.] A PROCESSION THAT WASN'T.

On "Battleship Day." It was a great disappointment to Wellington yachtsmen that, owing to the early arrival of tho H.M.S. New Zealand, they wore not able to take part iu tho procession that escorted her.into "our harbour/' 1.-nder the circumstances (shoanchored at 2 p.m.), no one expected that tho yachts and launches could havo "got put to sea" early enough for them to havo taken up their positions. • I t\, s ??." ,s to " Mature of open-air fotes in Wellington that the unexpected always happens, and, in this case, tho tradition was well kept up. There is an element ol adventure in it, nevertheless, which no doubt gives pleasure to those adventurously inclined, for, as mentioned above, no ono can with certainty predict what is going to happen although tho most elaborate arrangements are made. .No doubt when the warship anchored the sight was a very' pretty one, and the steamers ' and various pleasure craft circling round the Dreadnought made a brave showing, but it is to bo regretted that time did not-permit of them getting out to Point Halswell and taking up their allotted. positions. No doubt tho experience in organising this fete will bo useful in the future.' For the best-decorated boat, the palm must /ha given to tho motor launch Niagara, which left the Boat Harbour completely wreathed with bunting;, and making a very effective display indeed, Both yachts and launches turned out well, and made a splendid showing in the fresh r.or'-westerly that was blowing. However, under tho circumstances the yachtsmen gave a- very creditable display, and the sight witnessed from tha shore was by no means an ineffectivo one. Boat Harbour Ripplesr. * Sunday witnessed one of the heaviest nor'-wresters experienced in Wellington for some time. Notwithstanding the squalls that swept the harbour, two or threo boats made their way out against thorn. Siren blew out one mainsail, only to return and fit on a smaller one, and went out once more. Wairere II with a trysail ben't on went across the harbour, and so did Mahina. Many people noticed tho Amokura on Saturday, but could not understand why she had not been given a coat of paint for tho occasion. -Also, where -was her I bunting? Has she lost the-set displayed by her at the unveiling of tho Cook Memorial at Ship Cove? It seems to be tho opinion .in • Home yachting circles that the only useful purpose that yachtsmen can serve as a possible auxiliary naval reserve is as signallers. No doubt a pood signaller is; and always will-be, in demand,, and it seems to hen fitting time to remind-yachtsmen that they might do wor.se than brush up their signalling during tho winter months to enable them to bscomo proficient. The one drawback is that there is no recognised examination or qualification which • would reward them for their industry. Such a qualification is undoubtedly wanted by yachtsmen the world over. "Mainsheet's" yachting column will not appear again until tho sails havo been unfurled.