AT THE SIGN of THE PENNANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 854, 24 December 1929, Page 7

AT THE SIGN of THE PENNANT

By

KEELSON

OUT OF THE LOCKER The weather up to the present hardly gives promise of pleasant Christmas cruising. The seas and the sky are very similar to the conditions of a year ago and it seems that there is little prospect of settled weather until the New Year. As a result, plans for the extended cruise have been delayed in some instances, still there is yet time for a complete clear up and it is to be hoped that the Christmas regattas will not suffer as last year, when the Russell event had to be abandoned as far as the sailing events were concerned. The annual ocean race starts this evening and with the prevailing bluster the voyaging crews are assured of a lively time, particularly those who are making the Tauranga trip. The Russell boats, mulleties and keelers together, -will start off the King’s Wharf at 7.30 and the Tauranga squadron a quarter of an hour earlier.

For the benefit of boat owners who intend to go on extended cruises during the Christmas and New Y’ear holidays the following distances may prove of interest: Auckland to Whangarei, SO miles; Auckland to Russell, 120 miles; Auckland to Coromandel, 42 miles; Auckland to Thames, 42 miles; Auckland to Waiwera, 30 miles; Auckland to Mercury Bay, 81 miles; Auckland to Great Barrier, 54 miles; Auckland to Tauranga, 113 miles; Russell to Whangaroa, 34 miles: Whangaroa to Mangonui, 20 miles; Mangonui to Awanui, 25 miles.

Mr. L. Heard’s launch Kenya spent the week-end at Whangaparaoa. Some good fishing was obtained in the Tiri Passage, but the heavy sea running made things far from comfortable.

The E class keeler May Belle spent the week-end at Mellon Bay and Matiatia. The mullet boat Huia and the launch Kenya leave this evening on a 10 days’ cruise. The keeler Daisy was taken to Stanley Bay at the week-end to go on the grid to have a coat of copper paint put on.

The final touches are being put on by the Tauranga Regatta Committee and everything indicates a record gathering on December 27. The Northern S.S. Company is running the Rangitoto for excursionists and the rowing club members from Auckland. The boat will also act as flagship for the day. There will be a large number of new ideas for side-shows, the chief item being liorse-back swimming.

The annual Cowes Bay regatta will b© held on New Year’s Day at Waiheke. There are events for all classes of yachts and launches, and good prizes are offered. A special feature will be events for speed-boats and outboards. A dance will be held in Insley's new hall in the evening.

Owing to the proximity of the holidays, the Tamaki Yacht Club’s racing on Saturday did not bring out a large field of starters. Nevertheless the sailing was quite interesting, the starts being particularly good. The Y class event was robbed of much of its interest through a mishap to the new boat Lois, which, after being brought Point Chevalier by motor-lorry to Kohi beach, was unable to be launched for the racing. Several outboards put in an appearance, but the water was not smooth enough for high speeds. Mr. F. Pidgeon had hard luck in. capsizing his fast boat Silvertown Kid through the steering controls giving away.

OUTBOARDS AT RUSSELL

The New Zealand outboard chain ■ pionship races to be held at Russell oi Friday give promise of being the mos exciting contests yet held in the Do minion.

For the first time in this country a speed of 40 miles an hour has been attained, the feat having been performed by Mr. S. Ford, of Ellerslie, in his new craft Ocean Mule, racing in the elimination trials on the "Whau River a week ago.

The Russell regatta programme has j eight races for outboards, which include the open championship and the B class championship. In the chief event Ocean Mule, which has been selected to defend the inter-provincial shield on behalf of Auckland, will be opposed by Miss Arawa 11., a new boat recently completed for Mr. A. R. Townsend by Collings and Bell, of St. Mary’s Bay. Miss Arawa 11. will contend on behalf of Wanganui. It is also expected that Mr. L. Stericker will race his new boat Hum Bug. There is also a possibility that Mr. F. Neale will be there in his “Blimp” type craft Miss Marquette 11. The steamer Clansman will make the trip to Russell, leaving Auckland at seven o’clock on Thursday evening and returning after the regatta. MODEL YACHT NOTES The largest fleet to date, numbering 10, contested the model yacht events on the Orakei Basin on Saturday. Tlie weather was somewhat tricky, causing most of the boats to lose much of their handicap. Results:—Boys' Race: Bonzo, 30s, 1; Venus, 2m, 2; Rugby. 3lm, 3. General Handicap: Venus, 15m, 1; Silver Wing, 2: Ruby, 3£m, 3. Placed boats almost in line. Enthusiasts are reminded that model yacht events on the Auckland anniversary programme will be sailed on the Orakei Basin. Prize money totalling £ 5 will draw splendid entries for the two races up for decision. Next racing on the Basin will take place on Saturday week. Mr. W. A. IDarrach, a keen enthusiast, has been appointed liandicapper and judge for the model yacht racing in connection with the Anniversary Bay programme. The boisterous wind on the harbour yesterday caught a small mullet-boat unawares, and shortly after middav the boat turned over off Point Resolution. Tho three men on board, Messrs. S. Goodwin, Meiklejohn, and Knight, were picked up by the launch Olive Jean, which was on her way to Ponui Island. The members of the crew, who were very cold, were landed at Bevonport, and the drifting yacht was towed to the steamer Kaikorai by the launch lona, and left tied alongside the steamer.