POWER-BOAT RACING

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 284, 21 February 1928, Page 15

POWER-BOAT RACING

REFLECTIONS FROM THE WHAU The fact that many spectators of last Saturday's speed-boat and outboard motor-boat races have suggested that the New Zealand Power-boat Association should hold another »’ace day, indicates that the sport has found an appreciative public. Both contestants and onlookers have expressed appreciation of the speed courses laid on the Whau River. Many people wondered why the extensive expanse of water had not been utilised this way long before. Credit for bringing this speedway before the notice of the association must go to Mr. David B. Russell, a civil engineer, who is promoting the Whau Canal scheme. He has seen the possibilities of this waterway as a power-boat sports ground, and if his plans come to fruition tire Whau will be converted into a permanent lake, ideal for contests among boats that must have calm water for successful racing. A fairly good view was obtained from Rob€‘rtson’s Point, off which all events were started and finished. There are a number of trees fringing the river, and these were a nuisance from the point of view’ of spectators and competitors alike. Nevertheless, by selecting vantage-points, the public were able to get a very fair idea of Uia progress of the racing. It was noticeable that the starting arrangements were not quite up to scratch. On two or three occasions the gun misfired, and the display of numbers to indicate that start of a particular boat on the Mark Foy system was not altogether satisfactory. The official whose duty this was had to climb out on to a branch of a tree overhanging the tide, for all the world like Zacharius of the New Testament. Besides holding out the numbers, he used the big pieces of cardboard to beckon participants to cross the line. It was not to be wondered, therefore, that there were some late starts. For all that, the racing was con-

ducted with reasonable promptitude, and competitors had little to complain of. The new courses have an assured future, and as time goes on the Whau will no doubt become: the Muriwai of speed-boats.

During the afternoon over 100 motorcars were parked nearby. From remarks dropped here- and there, it is learned that a large number, and probably the majority, came as the result of motorists reading The Sun’s motor notes last Tuesday, wherein directions for reaching the course were given in the form of a map entitled "One-day Trips.”