THE AMOKURA BOYS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 202, 21 May 1919, Page 8

THE AMOKURA BOYS

VISIT BY THE MINISTER, Tuesday, May 6, was a red-letter day on the training ship Amokura, tho special feature marking the day being a surprise visit paid by the Hon. T. M.. Wilford, Minister of Marine, and' Mr. G. Allpqrt, secretary to tho' Marine and Inspection of Machinery Department, On arrival at Thorndon Esplanade the visitors were sailed to the snip by the boys; arriving on board at noon. An inspection of the ship took place immediately. Later, tho boys were inspected at their dinner. . When this had been completed, the event of tho day, a sailing race between the port and starboar<l watches of the ship, was arranged for, each boat being manned by a crew of ten boys from their respective watches. The sailing course, the length of which was about one mile and three-quarters, commenced and terminated at the side of the' ship. The course was covered twice, the boats crews changing boats between the races. Tho races commenced with a flying start, both crews handling their boats quite skilfully. In the ilrst race, the whaler, sailed y Boy Hall of the port .watch, crossed'tho starting line ten seconds after the cutter sailed by Boy Sherman (starboard watch). The first race was completed in 17min 3isec. (starboard), and 18min. 3Gsec, (port). In the second race the cutter," sailed by Boy Hall of the port watch crossed tho starting line five seconds after tho whaler sailed by Boy Sherman (starboard). The second rac'o was completed in I'min. 50sec. (starboard), and 17min. 52sec. (port). Tho times occupied by each watch for completing the two races wero 35min. 2toeoi (starboard), and SGmin. 28sec. (port), the starboard watch (Sherman) therefore winning by lmin. 4sec The judgment shown by tho boys in both watches was excellent, and both crews exhibited true sporting ideas throughout the races. At the conclusion of the match the Minister of Marine, who had shown hi» kean interest in the races by following diagramatically tho various'courses soiled •by each boat, addressed the. boys. Having complimented Captain Hooper and his officers on -tho results he had seen, and the boys on their general appearance and work,'also on tho skill and judgment with which they had handled their boats, Mr. Wilford announced his intention of presenting a cup for the winner of the annual boxing contests, and a trophv for tho runner-up, the boys approval of this being very evident. The handsome Myers Cup, winch was recently presented by the Hon. Mr. .liver* for competition- in brat sailing was then presented by the Minister to Bo* Sherman, coxswain of the starboard wafch, amid much cheering. , Prior to hi<s departure from the ship Mr. Wilford requested Commander Hooner to grant tho boys a. special ha fholiday. The visitors left the ship amid hearty cheers from all on board.