YACHTING.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1889, 18 October 1913, Page 12

YACHTING.

[Bi lUinshiet.]

IN & ABOUT THE BOAT HARBOUR. To Create Interest. Now that we have suotl an energetio band of offioials controlling the parent Yacht Club in Wellington it would be well if a concerted movement were made to heighten interest in the sport. That desirable interest wlltch one likes to seo in every sport died down some two or three seasons ago, but it is not beyond revival. Businesslike -methods havo beon adopted by tho new committee of the P.N.Y.C. For one thing, the club's notice-board at the Boat Harbour is being taken full advantage of. Tho secretary here notifies - coming events, and also matters that concern yachtsmen generally, and the result is that everybody interested is kept well informed of. all that is going forward. It may seem a little thing, ■ but if connotes energy.

Why Not Short Seratoh Races?

Some few weoltß ago the writer mentioned that several short scratch races, say, from tho Clyde Quay Wharf to Jerningham and back, would create n good deal of interest, for the opening dav of tho soason. I havo not heard anything against this suggestion, and I am Btiil fain to think that it would be a desirable move. Many people stroll round to the Boat Harbour ahd see—well, nothing at all. But, if on the opening day tho club decided tt> hold several of these short scratch races, over the suggested course, people would J)6 able to watch with interest how the various yachts, are, sailed. These short races would increase the sporting rivalry amongst the owners, an 4 in other ways, too. they would help to fill up the) cup or interest. An aggregate "Bf little ifihovations of this "kind might at last make it brim. ?aoht Club Plonlos. A correspondent suggests, the rein statement of club picnics,' only in a modified form. This is another good suggestion, which should-meet with approval, and prove a good source of revenue, to clubs. The suggestion is that tho picnics be held on the same style as those held in Auckland. In that centre.tho practice is for the club to supply hot water, milk, and sugar only. In the past jElie P.N.Y.C. has been put to considerable expense' in providing eatables as well as tho other necessaries named, and more often than not the picnics have spelled a financial failure.. If the club is minded to adopt this suggestion, they might hold two or three big picnics annually at one oT tho bays. If managed on some such lines as those in vogue in Auckland there ought to be no fear of financial failuro.

It may be worth mentioning that the Eastbourne Borough .Council intends shortly to open Up Muritai Park. This would be a very fine spot to hold such aquatic gatherings. Possibly it would be to the club's benefit if inquiries were made in the direction of obtaining the use of the park at certain times.

The P.N.Y.O.'s Pregrammo. At a recent meeting of the Port Nicholson Yacht Olub, the- following programme for tho ensuing season was drawn up: —November 8 (opening day), general handicap, for both classes, over lirst-class, course, to start at 3 p.m; ■November 15, first and second-class handicaps: November 22, first and sec-ond-class handicaps ; November 29, first and second-class handicaps: December 6, retired yachtsmen's race; January 11, ladies' handicap race (both classes); January 22, annual regatta; January 31, ocean raoe: February 21, raoes for first and sccona-olass championships. Waterolde Talk. Sunday last turned out a beautiful day and a number of those yachts which are already in_the_jvater cruised out. Mahina and Ailsa slid down the bay to Pencarrow and paid a visit to the Devon wreck. The well-known yaoht Atlanta which has been lying idle at her moorings in tho Boat Harbour for somo months has changed hands. The vessel, which was owned by Messrs. Jones and Ingram, has been sold to Messrs. D. Porter, It. Aslin, and D. Beaumont. Her new owners intend to have their purchase ready for racing on opening day. Mr. A. Pethorick's yacht Bona is expected to como off tho slip at Martin's Bay to-morrow, and Taipiiri, looking muoh improved, will also take the water on Sunday.

Mr. E. Bucholz, who had tho misfortune to sustain a broken leg whilst overhauling his yacht Wairiri II recently, in reported to bb progressing favourably. It is to bo hoped that it will not be long before this admirable packet is again afloat. 'Auckland yachtsmen, as well as the local enthusiasts, aro no doubt rejoicing over tho fact that the Minister of Marine (tho Hon. F. M. B. Fisher) has decided on deleting from the Shipping and Seamen Amendment Bill tho clause making it compulsory for the registration and numbering of pleasure craft. Tho Auokland Yacht and Motor-boat Association was primarily responsible for tho movo against the proposed amondmont, and iias every reason to congratulate itself upon the success of its work. Those members of the Port Nioholson Yacht Club who have not yet received a copy of tho club's rules aro reminded that they can be obtained upon application to tho secretary (Mr. L. Sleightholme).