WHIRRING PROPELLERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 562, 15 January 1929, Page 12

WHIRRING PROPELLERS

SATURDAY’S SPEED CONTESTS All tilings considered, the New Zealand Power-Boat Association’s Piogramme of speed-boat and outboard races, held off the King’s Wharf on Saturday, was a success. The only unfortunate feature was that the most exciting events were run toward the close of the series, when most of the crowd had departed. As was anticipated in these columns, the opening event, that for fast cruisers, was a frost as far as numbers were concerned. Only three boats started, and a ragged race resulted. Owing to a misunderstanding regarding the number of laps over which the speed-boats were required to race. Baby Dev did an extra round after having won the event. It, therefore, was not surprising that a large section of the onlookers had no idea which competitor had won. In the first outboard event Hum Bug dashed round the course after having been first home. There was no gun in either race. Mr. C. J. Collings, who is the veteran of Auckland speed-men, was right to the fore. As commodore he certainly set an example of enthusiasm. After coming nowhere in the first outboard handicap he got aboard his fine speedboat Fleetwing and dashed off late into the big race, after having trouble with his power unit. He again came nowhere, but tied up Fleetwing and got into his outboard Fleetun, to win his first race in this type of speeder. His success was applauded. Now came the best race of the day. The speed-boat flotilla was re-handi-capped by Mr. K. L. Buchanan on the performances in the first race, and a magnificent finish was his reward. The five contenders, sent away according to handicaps, gradually became more closely bunched as the race proceeded, until the home stretch found Miss Clevedon overhauling the leader. Hobo, like an express train. The queer craft, which looks in side elevation not unlike a wedge of cheese, could not quite master the smaller fellow ahead, which got the gun one second ahead of Miss Clevedon. Not far astern Fleetwing was driving along, with Baby Dev and Bonzo hard by. At the finish they were spaced in that formation with only one second separating one another. The last outboard handicap was marred through the capsize of Fleetun. Vave, which was nearest, at once went to the assistance of Mr. Collings. Hum Bug also dashed to the rescue. Mr. P. F. Carter was handy with the launch Helen C. Fortunately Mr. Collings was not hurt.