AT THE SIGN of THE PENNANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 692, 18 June 1929, Page 14

AT THE SIGN of THE PENNANT

INTERCOLONIAL CONTESTS

PLEA FOR REVIVAL OF RACING Has the present generation of boating men lost the aggressiveness of its forebears? Have young men become languid about racing? Why should wo not have intercolonial yachting and launching as well as intercolonial football and cricket? The sailing of boats is common to all the States of Australia and New Zealand; it is a clean sport ami it improves the physique of the men who take part in it. It is over a quarter of a century since an Australian boat raced on our harbour —so long ago that a new race of boat-owners has arisen that is not aware of the fact. The race was the intercolonial championship for oneraters, 21-footers, and carried a £IOO cash prize. It was held in conjunction with other harbour events, and the entry money was small. The prizemoney was made up by courtesy of the Takapuna Jockey Club which allowed a special race meeting on its course, and the profits paid the prizes for the regatta. The Australian boats were Bronzewing (owned by Anthony Hordern) and Geisha, from Adelaide. Auckland was represented by Laurel (built by Charles Bailey), and Mercia (cedar built, by A. Logan). Another boat came from Waitekauri, and one was constructed on Miranda. A series of five races was planned, but Laurel ran away from the others for a start, and annexed every heat sailed. One she secured by the thickness of the mast only, after being becalmed near the finishing line and watching all the competing boats drawing up toward her. One member of th*e crew was so excited that he chewed off all his finger-nails and shouted himself hoarse advising the judge to “fire the gun.” The winning crew was Charles Bailey, George Moore and W. Swinnerton; all still active in boating circles. As far back as 1875 Auckland sent Secret to Sydney. She was a Niccolbuilt boat, which led to the sending of Waitangi *and Taniwha a little later Mistletoe (R. Alison) crosed the Tasman in 1880, and the Logan-built Akarana won the championship of Australasia at the time of the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition. Following the visit of Bronzewing and Geisha, Laurel, Rainbow and Rawhiti tried the water in Australia. Somehow the present boatmen seem to have forgotten that there is a boating world across the Tasman waiting to be conquered. It should be possible for all New Zealand to finance a representative boat in some class each year and for Australia to return the compliment. The impetus that would be given the sport would be immense. Is it possible we are repeating the racial development that characterised the Maori? When he came to New Zealand he was able to build and sail canoes that carried him from Honolulu to New Zealand, and return trips were frequently made to Rarotonga, but the climate softened the men and almost all knowledge of big canoe work was lost.

By KEELSON devonport dinghy lockers The economics of beautifying a waterfront, and at the same time making reasonable provision lot the needs of boat-owners, has been exercising the Devonport Borough Council. An extensive scheme of improvement has been partly completed along the harbour front from North Head to Calliope Dock. At the east end the Devonport Club has provided ample hauling - up space, and is now ready to commence the building of dinghy lockers. The owners of boats who use the ins bank as a mooring ground have had dinghy accommodation alone, tne Queen’s Parade. Now it is out of harmony with the remodelled waterfront, and the boatmen themselves recognise tire need for tidy lockers. They recently approached the council with a proposal that it should build new dinghy lockers of approved type, for which a substantial rent would be paid, the borough to provide the skid. The cost, however, did not attract the civic fathers, and a new offer was made to them—that the boatmen be allowed to build their own lockers to a pattern, and have permission to put them on the roadway. The borough put up a further scheme of utilising the space under the shore end of the Iris wharf, if the authorities would agree. This would mean a new skid as well, but would provide room for about 20 dinghies. The matter rests there. MANUKAU CRUISING CLUB The annual prize night, social and dance of the Manukau Cruising Club will be held tomorrow evening in the Foresters’ Theatre, Onehunga. The patron, Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P., will distribute the prizes. Following is the list of prizewinI,e Yachts—Sea Gnome, two firsts. one third; Sea Horse, two firsts, three seconds. one third: Champagne, one first, three seconds, two thirds; XVaiapu, one first, one second, one third; Aoma, two firsts, one second; Sylvia, one first, one third; Hetty, one third; Myra, one second. Launches—Cremorne, two firsts, one third; Ramona, one first, three seconds; Pal o’ Mine, three thirds; Mavis, one first, one second, Imp, one first, one third; Miss Clevedon, one first; Katui, one second; Regal, two firsts; Drone, one third; Hinemoa, two seconds; Cfice, one third; Mamselle, one first, one second; Wanderer, one third; Surprize, one first; Salome, one second. Champion Cup— Aoma. McGahan Champion Cup, 16ft —Sea Gnome. Fearon Handicap Cup —Una. Fearon Challenge Cup— Aoma. Briscoe Points Cup —Sea Horse; cruising races for yachts. Morton Points Cup —Sea Gnome; har>our races for yachts. Ormrod Points Cup —Mavis; harbour aces for launches. Jordan Points Cup —Regal and Cremorne, dead-lieat; cruising races for Kemp Cup —Master T. Lloyd; points cup for medals. 20ft and under Open Championship of the Manukau; gold medal and flag— Waiapu. 16ft and under Open Championship of the Manukau; gold medal and flag—Sea Gnome. Model yacht and picnic prizes will also ! be presented.