AT THE SIGN of THE PENNANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 830, 26 November 1929, Page 14

AT THE SIGN of THE PENNANT

By

KEELSON

OPENING DAY REVIEWED

POOR ENTRIES MAR RACING In the immediate past Auckland has Mot been particularly fortunate in its of weather tor the official opening of seasonal yachting. Therefore it was distinctly unfair of the ate* that the first 1929-30 turn-out should be marred on Saturday last by in absence o? entries rather than an absence or over-supply ot wind. The day was all that could be des' red—a steady southerly, later shifting a few points into the west, pro- \ I cling brisk starting conditions ind a .i4ood run down the harbour, with some tricky work on the beats for the mailer craft on the triangular inside courses. on« must thank Nga-Toa for being the only A class keeler representative on the Waitemata for the Islington Bay race, but surely it is not in keepng with the trim traditions of the ••luadron that the big fellows should be withheld to this unprecedented ex - lent? An owner has* every right to uit his own convenience, of course, but a real effort should be made* each ear to push out the season in the bust possible circumstances. Among the new boats which tire mo king a welcome appearance this »*ar Is Mann, which raced in the M • lass with four other newcomers*. She made an excellent start, and secured fourth place. Lois, the new 14-foot Y boat, netted six firsts. Surprise was seen in action to magnificent advantage in the V' class race within harbour limits. There is somei bins almost uncanny in the way this boat lifts and runs before a decent breeae. When she rounded the home mark at the close of the first lap on Saturday, she fairly Hew. walking away Horn her already beaten competitors. Spinnakers were not popular on Saturday. A few competitors risked them for the down run, but found themselves in a lot of trouble, and -mined next to no advantage, at least at the* start. Incidentally, there were good starts rind bad on Saturday. The majority of the latter may be traced to slackens on the part of competitors in t illing to keep a close watch on the • 'regress of the flags. The result was i lat many were caught out of position. a happening that leads almost inevitably to ragged starts and the pos- » ibility of fouling at the line. A minor i ictor on Saturday was that the mark was* inclined to be too close inshore. With the wind in a southerly quarter, the narrowed entrance to the line gave skippers a lot to think about.

OUTBOARDS RACE WELL

Outboard motor-boat racing should i itract many followers this season if 1.10 form shown by these fast cr&ft at the meeting on the Whan Creek on is sustained. More than 1.000 spectators occupied the natural grandstand formed by the gently sloping bank, and a number of blackboards placed at various points gave official results to this crowd ass soon as placing* were available. The new system of clock starting used for the fiist time proved of great assistance in getting the boats away on their handicaps, and the one false start of the day was caused through one of the boats mistaking the signal and getting away too early, the remainder of the field following. Once competitors become used to the system it should prove very efficient in getting contestants away quickly and eft their right handicaps. The delays op Saturday were due to three of the events having to be rohundicapped on the course, but the meeting could quite wsll have been sturted half an hour or so earlier to allow more time for the officials 4o line up each race. The tide wold also have been more suitable had this been done, and the crowding of the small craft during the last race, when all competitors went off together on a course narrowed considerably by a fast-falling tide, would have been •voided.

The course was arranged rather for the convenience of the competitors than of the spectators, the home turn with the starting and finishing buoys alone being in good view. The racers droned away out of sight pp-stream in a cloud of spray, and struggles could bo followed for only about half of each mile lap. JSpectacular turning at the home buoy, however, held the attention of the spectators. It was at these points that Humbug showed her superiority, shooting round at a fast puce, the water ftving out in a curling shower from her stern as she laced about. It was quick turning alone that saved her from defeat at the h inds of Sea Horse in the special prise race which concluded the meeting. the latter showing a superior turn oi speed along the straights. It is probable that Sea Horse would have come home first, even so. had she not almost overturned in the second lap, losing more than 100 yards. The pace of her first two rounds was not sustained after this near-mishap, giving Humbug a good victory. There were several of last year’s boats competing, but they were well in the prize money, in spite of handicaps and better designed newcomers.

PT. CHEVALIER YACHTING

The l*oint Chevalier Sailing Club belt! a combined race during the weekend. The race was keenly contested. The first boat to cross the line was Tulip, followed closely by Oreti and Sea. ing. then Sea Elf. Aratu. Sea Hover. Mystery, Sea Pixie, Louis. Matartki. Ivy and Mafdie. King was well handled and founded the first mark ahead of Aratu then Oreti, Tulip, Waiapu, all well spread out. The first to cross the line was Louis. 2.14.t0: Oreti. 2.14.32; Aratu. -17.23; JSea King. 2.17.49: Maidie, '.15.36; Sea Rover, 2.18.33: Sea Elf, 2.21.54; Waiapu. 2.23.29: Matariki. -23 36: Tulip. 2.26.42; Pixie, 2.28.8; Mystery. 2.40.0: Ivy, 2.38.0. Result.—Oreti, 1; Sea King. 2; Sea Rover, 3. The new 20-footer Valma took the water over the week-end and does credit to her builder, Mr. K. Qwillim.

ANNIVERSARY REGATTA

PLANS FOR 1930 EVENT The Auckland Anniversary Regatta Committee held its annual meeting last evening. There was a large attendance. Plans for the 1930 regatta were initiated. “The regatta was undoubtedly very successful last year." said the chairman. Mr. E. B. Webster, in commenting on last January’s regatta. “This was due to the way in which the committee pulled together,” he added. Referring to the finances, Mr. Webster said subscriptions were smaller by £ 50. but a profit of £S3 was shown in the balance sheet. An additional £54 had been paid out in prize money. Economies in expenditure had been effected and a credit balance made possible. He moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet. In seconding. Mr. B. W. Beaumont congratulated the chairman on the success of the regatta. The entries had been very' creditable. Three conferences sitting in Auckland at the time had visited the flagship and been entertained by Mr. Webster. They had greatly appreciated his and the committee’s hospitality. USE OF SCHOONER Mr. Webster said there was every possibility of the committee’s obtaining the use of a schooner again for next regatta. Advice had been received that Captain Watchlin. who made the schooner Margaret W. available Inst January, had launched new vessel, which would be in Auckland on January 29. Mr. Webster said he and the secretary. Mr. J. C. Hewson. had met the harbourmaster. Captain 11. H. Sergeant, on the question of starting the racing from a new position because of the passage .to and fro of ferry boats. • It was considered that the regatta might with advantage be started off Hobson’s Bay. If that were done spectators could gather on the waterfront roadway and view the racing with ease. A three-mile launch course could be laid off between the bay and Orakei Wharf. -The chairman said that Captain Sergeant was fully' in accord with the proposal. “ Mr. Webster was unanimously reelected chairman and Mr. A. Braund vice-chairman. SANDERS CUP AFFAIRS A letter was received from the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association asking what date the committee thought most suitable for beginning the Sanders Cup contest. A request was also made for a donation to the contest funds.

In moving that the committee guarantee a donation of £3O. Mr. Beaumont made a spirited plea for support for the contest. He deprecated the action of one club in deciding not to contribute on this occasion. Auckland should never be held responsible for letting the contest die. Auckland was the strongest centre and should give assistance to other parts in need of It. It would be a disgrace if Waitemata boating men failed to do their part* to perpetuate the bravery of Lieu tenant-Commander Banders. V.C., in whose memory' the cup had been given. Southern yachtsmen looked upon the contest as the blue riband of Dominion yachting and it meant a big thing to them. It did not matter what sort of boat was used, the main thing was that* there was the contest and it ought to receivo generous support. On the question of ages of the crews, to which exception has been taken, Mr. Beaumont remarked amid applause that it had not been suggested when Lord Jellicoe represented Auckland that ages should be restricted to 21 and under.* Objectors of today had not the courage then to put forward such a scheme. Why did they do it now?.

Mr. C. If. Palmer, chairman of the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association. who also attended, appealed strongly for moral and financial support. He asked the clubs to pull together that Auckland might retain its good name in the sight of Southern yachtsmen. He believed that wholehearted public support would be forthcoming. The motion was carried unanimously. It was agreed to forward a proposal to the association that the contest be begun on January 25, so that there would be the probability of one race being held on Regatta Day. REMOVAL OPPOSED The suggestion for the removal of the regatta site was opposed by Mr. A. J. Collings, who pointed out that the regathfhad been held near the present site for 50 years. If moved to Hobson Bay it would take the form of a local regatta instc*ad of a city one. Apart from that, difficulty would be met in finding suitable courses for launches and outboards. It was decided to hold the question over until next meeting. Election of officers resulted:—Chairman, Mr. K. W. Webster: vice-chair-man. Mr. A. Braund: secertary. Mr. J. C. Hewson: treasurer, Mr. A. M. Gilniour: auditor, Mr. B. W. Beaumont: hon. solicitor, Mr. J. B. Johnston.

The committee elected comprised: Messrs. T. Quinn, H. Kirkham, A. Perkins. L. Tercel. J. Gibbon, P. Auger, G. W. Horsley. F. W. Jeffers, J. Longbottom, W. A. Wilkinson. J. McGehan. W. Parker. R. Mouatt, G. E. Laycock, A. J. Collings, S. Hanna, 11. O. Wiles, C. H. Palmer, O. Johnson, A. Willetts and B. W. Beaumont. \

SATURDAY'S RACING

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron will open its season on Saturday with cruising races for yachts and launches, and a harbour race for M class pa tikis. The Takapuna Boating Club lips an ocean race round Motuihi for yachts over 20 feet. The start will be off Stanley Point and the course round Motutapu on starboard, thence round Motuihi on port, finishing in Matiatia Bay. The Richmond Cruising Club has decided to hold a combined handicap for centreboard boats and fourieens to Beach Haven. The start will be from Ponsonby Wharf at 3.15. Entries will be received at John Burns and Co.. Ltd.

MODEL YACHT NOTES

Beautiful weather favoured the Oi'akei Basin Model Yacht Club's racing on Saturday. Several spectators who came along to witness the racing ultimately became members of the club. Results: —Boys’ race: Bluebell (Grace), 3min, 1; Miss Orakei (Retter), scr. 2. General handicap: Miss Orakei. 30sec, 1; Silver Wing (Bevans), 40sec, 2; Bonzo (Jackson), 50sec, 3. Mr. Haggett, of Devonport. acted as judge.

Taking advantage of the fine weather and a steady southerly breeze at the week-end, most of the boats, after finishing their races at Islington Pay, went further afield. The launches Kenya. Nyria, Chrysler. Adelaide, Coquette, Kathryn R., Te Atatu. Ngaroma and Lady Margaret 11. proceeded to* Oneroa. Several of them left early on Sunday morning to try out the fishing grounds outside the Noisies. Some fair hauls of schnapper were reported.

LEITNER’S LONG CRUISE

The cruiser Leitner has just returned from a fortnight’s cruise along the northern coast. The launch had on board Mr. A. W. Larsen, Colonel C. R. Spragg arid Mr. H. F. Butler. Setting out on Monday, November 11. they reached Little Omaha in good time. There was a fairly big nor’-west sea running but the launch rode the rollers in fine style without wetting the crew. A stop was also made at Tutakaka. The party arrived at Russell on the Friday after a pause at Deep Water Cove, where they met White Wickham, the noted deep-sea fisherman. He is beginning his operations on December 14. Oh the Saturday morning the course was set for Whangarua. the weather then being very good. Fishing was tried in the harbour next day, but the water was alive with barracouta, w-hich snapped up any ether fish as soon as they were hooked. A dinghy load of barracouta was caught in no time. After pottering about for some time the launch was headed for Kerikeri, where the crew was entertained for several days by residents of the new group settlement. A visit was also paid to the Waimate North Show. On Thursday morning it was all aboard for Little Omaha, which was reached after 126 hours. The next stage was a run to Kawau, and thence home. Mr. Larsen is of opinion that excellent big gime fishing is to be had at Tutakaka. where. many “sv. ordies” have been see® close in shore. He has suggested a Lrfg) %o Mr. While Wickham.