CRUISERS IN NORTH

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 581, 6 February 1929, Page 11

CRUISERS IN NORTH

REGATTA AT RUSSELL

DIOMEDE WINS TROPHY (Special to THE SUXJ RUSSELL, Tuesday. The annual pulling races in whalers, gigs and skiffs, between the officers and crews of the cruisers Dunedin and Diomede, were held to-day in Russell Harbour. Great interest was shown by the public and crowds of adults and children boarded the cruisers, which were thrown open for the day. A silver clock presented to the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy by Sir James Allen, was won by the Diomede, with 53 points against the Dunedin’s 37. Since the cruisers arrived in Russell last Thursday the officers and men have made themselves at home in navy fashion. Concerts have been given by the ships' bands, and local tennis courts and bowling greens have been thrown open to the visitors. A dance was given by the ladies of Russell Inst night to the sailors, and this evening one is being given to the officers. Many officers have tried their luck with the sport on the deep-sea grounds off Capo Brett. Several sharks have been taken and a number of swordfish have eluded capture. The two cruisers sail for Auckland early on Friday morning, reaching their base in the evening to prepare for the forthcoming manoeuvres. Mr. A. P. Rogers, of England. a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron of Cowes, who is at present deep-sea angling in the Bay of Islands, has presented a silver cup, to be competed for under service conditions by officers of the Dunedin and Diomede sailing whalers, cutters and gigs over a triangular course of nine miles. Service conditions demand that the boats will carry full crews and all equipment. The whalers will start off scratch, the cutters receiving 6 minutes' start and the gigs IS minutes. The race is to be held to-morrow afternoon at 1.30.