THE AMERICA CUP.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 26 April 1901, Page 4

THE AMERICA CUP.

Modifications Asked For And P.efused. Tho Central News .says negotiations have been proceeding between Sir Thomas Lipton and the Now York Yacht Club, on the former's request, for modifications of the conditions of the challenge on three points. !~iir Thomas Lipton, in the first place, asked for a Hying start instead of tho method of timing each boat separately as it crossed the line. His second request was in the nature of a proviso. It is possible that the challenger in crossing ilie Aijan'ic may meet with rough weather, and Bir Thomas Lipton desired a threeweeks' extension, should that time be necessary, to got the yacht into a fitotate for racing. Thirdly, the owner of the challenge asked that tho boats might bo measured in tho Brooklyn Navy Yard Dry Dock instead of tho Erie Basin, where the water is tather rough. Kir Thomas has now received tho decision of the New York Yacht Club on the points raised. The club cannot sec their way to grant, a Hying start, preferring to adhere to the old system of time starts. But a slight modification has nevertheless been made in this connection. Under the old system a yacht might cross (lie line a second lime if it had made a bad start on the first occasion provided it did so within two minutes after the gun was fired. It his now been decided that the linn must be crossed only twice. The club, en the s.icond point, have granted an exLension of the time for tho first race from 20th August to 27th August. As to the venue of tho measurement of the yachts, it is pointed out that tho Now York Yacht Club has no control oyer the Brooklyn Navy Yard, which is Government property, and tho club could not, therefore, giant Sir Thomas's request in the matter. The club, however, promised to do its utmost to secure the desired accomodation.

Sir Thomas Lipton says, with reference to the decision of the Now York Yacht Club : —" lam sorry tnat the club has not granted my recjutsi for a flying start, which is a general custom in this country and of ruos; of the races in America, bat Ido not complain or grumble. The conditions us they stand now are practically the same as they were for tho last races. I r.m no worse off now than then, and I shall do my best to win The Cup." Mv Herreahoff has patented a bronze alloy, for which he claims wonders, and this will be the material used in tho American yacht. The spars of the new boat will all bo of steel, even to the bowsprit, though, if they prove a failure, wooden onos wi Ibe ready to act as substitutes.