Personalities Afloat

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 184, 25 October 1927, Page 12

Personalities Afloat

"When a man sailed the Waitemata for 31 years without missing a single season, he can lay claim to a record few yachtsmen, if any, are able to challenge. Such is the achievement of Ernest Benjamin Webster, one of the most popular of Auckland’s aquatic men.

His first experience of yachting was when, in 1888, as a small boy, he was permitted to i-iuke a trip in the yacht Transit as far as Orakei. Ever since then the sea has held a fascination for him, which the passing years have not diminished.

In 1896, Mr. Webster joined the crew of the 20ft. keeler Ida, and three years Inter sailed in Waimoa, owned by the commodore of the old Parnell Sailing Club. Ho then raced Cynthia, Why Not and Yum Yum, and in 1902 was a member of May Belle’s crew. He acquired her about 1913, and has owned and raced his fine craft ever since. Mr. Webster has always taken the keenest interest in racing, and has carried off many prizes in May Belle. On the executive side of the sport, “Babs” Webster, as he is popularly known, has always done his share and more of the hard work. Back in 1911 he took a foremost part in the activities of the North Shore Yacht Club, now known as Akarana, and served on committees, until he was promoted, step by step, to the position of commodore. He has held this office on and off for the last 10 or 12 years, and retired from one of these terms at the last annual meeting of the Akarana Yacht Club a few weeks ago. He has been a delegate to the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association for many years, and has acted as vice-chairman of the Auckland Regatta Committee for three years. At present he is doing valued work as chairman of the building committee of the new clubhouse, a position in which his keen enthusiasm and leadership is of great worth to his club. An indication of the high esteem in which Mr. Webster is held is afforded in the fact that Akarana has made him a life member—one of only three elected by the club.

OWNERS AND THEIR BOATS Mr. Woods’s 22-footer Venus looks a picture with her red top-sides a\d gold streak, and should be seaward any time now. Mr. R. Spiers’s fast launch Manyana took the water on Sunday. Last week the crew was busy fitting a new keel baton. With the blue tap-sides, and white top streak, Sheila should be easily distinguishable this season. Her owner was busy putting the finishing coat of outside paint on his craft last week. Overhaul of Mj\ Davis’s 26-foot keeler Bona is well advanced, the hull being practically finished outside. The mast has been taken out and several alterations will be effected. ♦ * * Mr. P. Aldred’s launch Aumoe has had a lot of work done about her this winter. The new Sterns motor - has been fitted, and should give entire satisfaction. ' ♦ * * Mrs. C. O’Brien’s launch Ngaroma is undergoing an overhaul. The canvas deck-house covering has been renewed and a start made on the hull. It is possible that the Ngajroma will change hands shortly. The 26-foot mullet boat Waitere has been thoroughly renovated inside, and is now in tip-top cruising order. The outside has dlso had a good clean down and is now looking her old self with the white enamel finish. * * * Work on Mr. W. Utting’s Loew Victor is rapidly nearing completion. The graining of the cabin top and combings was finished last week, together with a coat of white on top-sides, and redlead on the under-water surfaces. The engine was given a kick over and gave satisfaction.

BOATS AFLOAT On Sunday the launch Manyana went down from Freeman’s Bay. * * * From St. Mary’s Bay the following took the water: Kirita, Winnie, Kathryn R.. Wai-Lani. * * * The launch Sylvester was floated off Curran Street Beach on Sunday.

TAR SMEARED ON YACHT Someone with a distorted idea of a joke has smeared tar on the white top. and sides of the 20-footer Allies. Similar acts have been reported elsewhere. and if the perpetrator of such mischief is caught, he knows what to expect from yachtsmen.

WHANGAREI REGATTA It was decided at the annual meeting of the Whangarei Regatta Associa n to hold a regatta on January 2 The prize money was fixed at £IOO. A committee was set up to arrange the programme. Messrs. W. A. Wilkinson and H. E. He win were appointed representatives in Auckland and Russell respectively. The balance sheet presented by Mr. C. D. Moloney, acting secretary, showed a credit balance of £4. The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr. W. Jones, M.P.; president, Mr. H. G. Menzies; vice-presidents. Messrs. A. D. Weir. A. H. Curtis; secretary, Mr. C. D. Moloney (pro tern.); treasurer, Mr. R. Dempter (pro tern.): auditor, Mr. W. A. M. Bain. It was agreed that Mr. Moloney should be paid a small honorarium in recognition of his valuable services.

“AUCKLAND LACKADAISICAL” The Dunedin syndicate which proposes to build a new Sanders Cup c ontestant seems to have come quite close to jettisoning the proposal altogether, on account of the long-delayed arrival of the plans. ‘ The plans were finalised a month ago,” says a Dunedin yachting writer, “and if the plans had then been available. as they should have been if the Auckland Association had not been so lackadaisical, the boat would have been well under way.” The builder, Mr. E. Leech, of Ravensbourne, however, hopes to make an * early start on the new 14-footer

owner of Caille and Caille 1., Mr. W. Heazlewood, has placed inflated tubes l'or’ard, and should they capsize, he believes that these will keep both boat and motor above water. The Brighton Power Boat Club at Christchurch is also determined to revive power-boat racing. The jubilee regatta of the Lyttelton Harbour Board in December will take nearly all the boats of the Brighton fleet to that port, and it is quite likely that most of these boats will stay in Lyttelton until after the Christmas holidays, so it has been decided by the committee to conduct races on the harbour after the regatta. The Christchurch Sailing and Power Boat Club has included a race for outboard craft on its opening day programme, and it is expected that there wil be at least five or six starters. Caille I, referred to above, is being brought from Dunedin for this event.

DECLINE IN ENTRIES NEW SCHEME PROPOSED Entries in the yacht-racing events have shown a decided falling off in recent years, more particularly in the smaller classes. The Ponsonby Cruising Club has decided to tackle the question, and recently agreed to make it compulsory, that four boats face the starting line to constitute a race. This has apparently been received very unfavourably by boat owners, with the result that the subject was again brought up for general discussion at last week’s meeting. Mr. H. R. Arthur detailed a scheme which promises a solution of the problem, and which will no doubt be universally applied in time. The application of sliding scale of prize value according to the number of starters, providing they are three or more, is the main point in the plan to overcome an increasingly difficult position for all clubs. If this new departure is adopted, the onus will be entirely on the boat owners to support their own class. Details of the Ponsonby Club’s prizes for the new season were given “At the Sign of the Pennant” last week. It should be noted that the amounts mentioned then referred to cash or the equivalent value in trophies.

A.Y.M.B.A. MEETING The opening date of the yachting season will be decided at the annual meeting of the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association to be held at 7.30 p.m. this evening in the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron rooms. It is also intended to arrange fixtures for the coming season. The election of about half a dozen officers will be the first business to be put through.