Personalities Afloat

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 237, 27 December 1927, Page 16

Personalities Afloat

MR. U. O. WILES, Vice-Commodore New Zealand PowerBoat Association . There is no keener launch man on the Waitemata to-day than H. O. "Wiles, vice-commodore of the' New Zealand Power-boat Association, and owner of the fast cruising launch Lady Margaret.

His motor-boat is a well-known competitor in races for her class of vessel, and with Mr. Wiles as pilot she has had a successful racing career. l n the 1927 regatta she carried off first Place In the cruis-

„ *ng launch event in 1920 C<^hen d <,£ iS Pre3ent com “and in 19-0. when she was called Thistle hhe was then a 33-footer, and her new t’h *"i. had her len sthened to 36 feeT this alteration giving a 50 per cent’ increase in speed P oenteiders Whe " he enable with iZtinl nO in SP Hs C °™ Pat " branches for the training of the Domi 3 nions youth in resourcefulness a sound Judgment in emergency besides 5-Si SS&KLfSSSySSS: *ng themselves into crews and taking up yachting, rowing, or launching as the cleanest and healthiest of siforts Last year Mr. Wiles held the office of r>ar-commodore of the Power-boat Association, and at the annual meetviee" 01 lOn s aeo ha was Promoted to vice-commodore.

He is also vice-president of the by »? nd vlc toria Cruising Clubs, and the Akarana Tacht Club, besides being a member of the Royal New Zealand T acht Squadron. e< U ? s a capable launch • kipper, Mr. Wiles has made some long voyages in the Lady Marget. in fair weather and foul. He was recently appointed chairman of the nautica'l school attached to a large Auckland college, which has just received official recognition by the Admiralty for training officers for the Royal Naval Reserve.