Personalities Afloat

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 178, 18 October 1927, Page 12

Personalities Afloat

MR. J. J. McWHIRTER, Rear-Commodore Ponsonby Cruising Club Ponsonby Cruising GJub’s new rearcommodore, Jack J. McWhirter, is a yachtsman whose 27 years* experience in every class of craft should be a Valued asset to his club. He has been a member of Ponsonby practically from its infancy and has watched his club’s growth until it occupies its present high place among clubs of the Waitemata. M r. McWhirter started his aquatic career in 1900, sailing in the keeler Peri, then owned by Mr. R. Murphy. His first command was the 16-foot open boat Orewa, with which he had a fair amount of success. He has had a great deal of experience in the Jellicoe class and has sailed Resolute, Joan, Nyria, Idler and Rona. Mr. McWhirter has also spent three seasons power-boating, but has always found yachting the greater attraction and decidedly more thrilling. “Jack.” as he is popularly known, has acted on Ponsonby’s committee for a number of years and his promotion to rear-commodore is a worthy recognition of his enthusiastic services to his club. PONSONBY’S PRIZES NEW SEASON’S PROPOSALS The Ponsonby Cruising Club proposes to bring a new rule into force for the coming season. Under it there must be at least five entries and not fewer than four starters for a race to be held. Unless there are seven starters there will be no third prize. Separate events for Y class have been entirely left out of the club’s programme for the new racing season, but no doubt provision will be made to include the class in with other 14footers. Prizes to be allotted for the various class events are as follow: C to N, M.V. and S. — £5, first; £2, second; and £l, third. For T and X classes the prizes will be £3, £1 and 10s. In the regatta events prizes for A, R. C, and E, H and I, L and N classes will be £5. £2 and £1: M.V. and S, C 4, £1 10s and 15s; T and X and launches, £3, £1 and 10s: outboard £2, 10s and ss. On opening and final days prizes for all classes will be £3, £1 and 10s. ACROSS THE WATER The Devonport Yacht Club, w’hich is now an incorporated body has, thanks to an energetic committee, made good progress with the interior work at the club house. The section set aside for a committee room has been thoroughly renovated, and the building of a ceiling over the main hall is practically complete. Tha painting of the walls will about finish the work. GREY NURSE’S MISSION Mr. Sam Tilly launched his 26ft. launch Mavis last week, and expects to assist swimmers again this year by helping to rid the Waitemata of some of its “grey-nurse” shark inhabitants. Mavis has been rechristened Grey Nurse in keeping with her new mission, and her owner is prepared to issue a challenge to catch more sharks from her than anyone else who may go in for this type of fishing in the reaches of the harbour. TAURANGA REGATTA At the annual meeting of the Tauranga Regatta Club, the president, Mr. I>. V. Hanna, presented the report and baiance sheet, which was adopted. «*‘ven new members were lected. officers for the ensuing year are: fi evident, Mr. R. Randle: vice-presi-dontH, Messrs. C. M. Clinch. C. Hartley. f\ Henson, G. Faulkner, G. Maltby, *nd I*. Carter. Donations of trophies were made by Messrs. Clinch. T. Maben and N. Mk <duirk. . Kver y effort is to be made to make MM ll,e rowing and swimming events a big feature of the regatta. D. V. Hanna and D. Cambie HjH elected life-members.

The B-class keeler Eulalie, the mullet boats Winifred and Nomad, Lovelight and McLeod Bros.’ cruiser Tina, were launched from the Takapuna Club’s slipway. * * * The first-class keeler Ngatoa, down last Wednesday, will be among the many craft cruising during next weekend. Her new suit of silk cloth sails from England will not be rigged until later in the season. The star-class boat June, recently purchased by M.r. J. Tamlin, was launched from Devonport on October 6. With her blue top sides, June looks the part. Her owner is keen on his chances of beating Ola IV. this season. YACHTSMEN AT FOOTBALL A football team representing the Manukau Yacht and Motor-Boat Club will meet the Manukau Rovers Football Club in a match next Saturday afternoon at Onehunga. The yachtsmen will field a strong side, which will include such well-known plavers as Walter Batty, Arthur Keene 'and Neil Ifwersen. The object of the match is for the mutual benefit of the club’s funds. VIKING ON HER TRIALS On Sunday Mr. Ernest Davis’s big keeler 1 iking tried out her wings in a run down the harbour as far as Rangitoto. . Flying before a stiff breeze she presented a fine sight with her shapely hull and new ketch rig. She made a steady 12 knots for the greater part of the trip and her crew speak in enthusiastic terms of her performance. which is considered immeasureably better than hitherto. Next week-end a longer run is contemplated by her owner.