ON PLEASURE BENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 883, 29 January 1930, Page 1

ON PLEASURE BENT

ANNIVERSARY DAY IS i POPULAR HOLIDAY CALL OF THE OPEN From crowded ferry tees and from the headquarters of the Northern ffoet, shipload after shipload of pleasurre-seeking picnickers sailed this morning for Auckland's numerous seaside resorts. Although Anniversary Day has its big programme of organised attractions, fpr the majority of Aueklanders the beaches and islands of the Gulf have a strong call that cannot be denied. THE trend of the traffic this morning was mostly in the direction of the waterfront. Outside ticket boxes queues made an appearance at an early hour. Picnic baskets were everywhere in evidence, and flannels and brightlycoloured feminine attire predominated in defiance of cloudy skies and a fresh south-west wind. Others, however, not so trustful of Auckland’s summer climate, added umbrellas and overcoats to the picnic equipment. The Anniversary Regatta, although nowadays not so much the big event as of old, still has a keen following. From numerous vantage points on the roreshore enthusiasts followed the racing with interest, and for picnickers setting out down the harbour by steamer, launch and ferry, the racing in always an interesting feature of the day. GOOD SAILING Anchored near the naval depot on the North Shore, and flying the bunting of the flagship, the auxiliary schooner Huia was the centre of activity. This was the starting point, iind in rapid succession throughout the day class after class crossed the line lo dot the seascape of the Waitemata with white hulls and straining sails. A steady wind made good sailing, and a choppy sea added zest to the sport. With spinnakers set, and jumping away like straining hounds unleashed, the Sanders Cup boats made a pretty picture as they crossed ’he line with a great burst of speed m the special events set down for them. Big keelers, heeling well over to display their graceful lines and with decks drenched with spray, ‘ leaved their way over the course, and bucking outboards, not so picturesque but always diverting, added to the variety of interest. Dotted everywhere with sails, the Waitemata presented an animated and •ommanding sight. In more sombre contrast, but completing the picture, the smoke stacks of the steam < raft and the drab-coloured canvas of slowly moving scows going down the harbour on their regular occupations. CROWDED BEACHES Naturally a large portion of the ferry traffic, passenger and vehicular, was bound for the Takapuna racecourse, where the Takapuna Jockey Club’s meeting attracted a large attendance. On all the North Shore beaches there were big crowds. Beach events were held at Takapuna, and Milford considerable attention was centred on the life-saving competitions. At Green Beach, on the Manukau, a carnival held under the auspices of the Beach Improvement .Society also attracted its quota of holiday-makers. For bowling enthusiasts the Auckland Centre's champion of champions rink tournament at Remuera was the principal attraction, but at many of the other greems interesting competitions were held. Also, for those who did not desire to leave the City, were the Auckland Association’s anti Suburban Association’s cricket matches, and tennis tournaments were also held by most of the clubs. The growing band of flying enthusiasts was well catered for at Manure, where the Auckland Aero Club neld competitions. Special facilities for passenger flights were also fully availed of during the day. Among the more distant attractions were the Auckland Rifle Association’s championship meeting at Penrose, and the Hamilton Rowing Club’s annual regatta on the Waikato River.