MOTOR BOAT RACE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11497, 1 February 1909, Page 2

MOTOR BOAT RACE.

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night, What is considered locally to be the longest motor-boat race yet held in Australasia was contested' yesterday, between Mr H. H. Aduins 1 Eliza and Mr J. Reid'B Sea Bird. Tho course was from. Auckland .to Russell and back, a distauce' of 240 knots. The boats 'left Aiick^and at 7.50 yesterday morning, in -.uilm weather. Outside the harbor a lumpy sea was mot, the wind being east northeast. The Eliza, which led throughout, passed the ,}ialf-Avay mark at Russell at 10.50 yesterday evening, having taken exactly fifteen hours (an average of eight knots)" to do the 120 knots. The wind held in the same quarter, and the son increased greatly oh tlie run Home, the boats taking a lot. of water aboard, and the crews bein^ drenched. Auckland harbor was reached' at 2.25 this afternoon by the Eliza. . The whole journey occupied the time of 30 hours 35 ininu^ tes, the average running Dime being approximately ieight .jniots,. The Sea Bird rounded the mark at -Russell .48 'minutes I after the- Eliza. Captain McLeod, of the Northern' Steamship Co.'s Clansman, who navigated tlie Eliza, said at one time he felt like 'stopping and running for shelter. Hteicohsidered the boat a wonder to get through the return journey, the : sea being.. so hasty. \ The Eliza is: fitted with a locally-designed 'and manufactured \ engine. ;' The 'race <ixoSe out of the r Rudder Cup * contest (105 knots), in which f the Sea;. Bird made the fastest time, the Eliza being .one of the defeated ■ oompetitors. •