AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10066, 6 February 1909, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Electric Tet.eokai-h.—CorTßir.nr.] (Per Press Association.) Received February 5, at 10.30 p.m. Melbourne, February 5. The Federal Government has decided to at once order two torpedo destroyers of the river class of the latest approved type. They are wanted to serve as models for boats to be afterwards built in Alls-' tralia. It is the intention -of the Government to send to England skilled operatives to be employed by the successful tenderer on the construction of the vessels. On the completion of the contract the men will return, and will be employed :n building additional vessels locally. Received Fobruarv 6, at 1.10 a.m. Melbourne, February 5. Great interest was taken in the contest for the Sayonara Cup. The defender was the Victorian yacht Sayonara, and the challenger was the Thelma, of Sydney. At the start a nicei whole-sail southerly breeze sprang up. The Thelma was firstover the line, but the Sayonara, shooting up to the windward berth, made an excellent start. The wind freshening, the Thelma gave a fine exhibition of her sailing qualities, moving faster than the Sayonara. As the eastern shore was approached the wind was alternately squally and light. The Thelma just held her own on the port tack, but gained on her. rival on the starboard tack. Thus' the race was fought out to the windward mark, where the Sayonara had the advantage. She made the buoy, but the Thelma missed it. and had to make a short board to get round, the Sayonara bein- a minute to the good at this point. The Sayonara was quick in hoisting her spinnaker, but could not break the sail out. The Thelma was slower to set her kites, but did so without any mistake, and overte >k the Sayonara, and obtained a good lead. The Thelma kept her position all the way home, although, if anything, the Sayonara decreased the lead given her opponent through the trouble with her kites. The Thelma won hy 45secs.