Personalities Afloat

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 202, 15 November 1927, Page 14

Personalities Afloat

MR. H. R. ARTHUR Treasurer, Pcnsonby Cruising Club. In every club, aquatic or any other, there are men—generally very few — who are always willing to take upon themselves a large share of the hard work inseparable from the successful prosecution of the club’s activities. They are content to give of their wf+feniit thrtn«rbt of publicity, and

because of their reserve the worth of their work is often not realised. Herbert Robert Arthur is one who has worked quietly and conscientiously behind the scenes, and who has never wished to stand out in the limelight on the yachting stage. Mr. Arthur first acquired a fondness for boating when, as a young fallow, he sailed and experimented with model yachts in St. Mary’s Bay. As a young man in the eighties he owned a 20-foot mullet boat, but in 3 *BB his craft was wrecked in the harbour. He then left the water and- took up photography as a hobby and achieved high success in the art. But he found there is nothing like yachting. In 1907 Mr. Arthur joined the Ponsonby Cruising Club and served on the committee and as auditor until 1911, when he retired. However, during the war he was requested to come back as most of the young men had Joined up as soldiers. So in 1915 he again threw in his lot with Ponsonby, and has been a member ever since. He was elected treasurer in 1915 and has piloted his club safely through many financial shoals. About this time he acquired his 25-footer Lois, which he calls his “family boat.” For two years, 1924-25 he held office as rear-commodore of Ponsonby, and was made vice-commodore for 192526. Since 1916 “Bob,” as he is best known, has acted as delegate to the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association, and has served on several committees of the body. For some years he has been a selector for Auckland’s Saunders Cup contest. Mr. Arthur has officiated as starter both for his club and for the association for many years, and has been an active member of the Auckland Regatta Committee since 1915. PALMER CUP RACE AT WHANGAREI (From Our Own Correspondent) WHANGAREI, Monday. The first heat for the Palmer Cup, for 14-footers, was sailed during the week-end. The wind was very light and several of the boats had difficulty in crossing the line. When they were well on their way the outgoing tide had the, better of several of the craft. Scout (OnerahO. however, appeared to be test suited by the conditions and, wellhandled, reached home first, followed by Snipe and Ranger in second and third places. Owing to the damage done in the storm on Labour Day to All Black not having been repaired, she was an absentee from the contest. There are two more heats to be sailed. Points scored by the placed boats today were: Scout. 5: Snipe, 3: Ranger. 2.