The hydroplane championship of Australasia, which was won on the Brisbane River on Saturday, afternoon by Mr. J. M’G. Williams’ Century Tire, proved one of the most popular aquatic events of recent years. The course was from an imaginary line between the starter’s boat, moored 600 feet below the Hamilton Cold Stores, and a buoy set near midstream, thence down to and round marks below. Borthwick’s meatworks, and up to and round buoys 300 feet above starting mark. Four laps were traversed in each heat, which equaled a distance of 20 miles. 

Despite the sweltering weather thousands of people ashore and afloat witnessed the contest. On either bank of the river, for long distances, crowds of people could be seen, and numerous motor cars filled a considerable part of the landscape. A big fleet of motor boats occupied the prescribed anchorage area, and variegated flags from many mastheads danced in a lively breeze. 

The Brisbane Tug Company’s steamer Doomba acted as flagship, and she was packed with sightseers. His Excellency the Governor (Sir Matthew Nathan) occupied a seat on the bridge, and was received on board by the vice-commodore of The Royal Queensland Yacht Club (Mr. A. C. Wishart), the chairman of the motor boat sub-committee of the Yacht Club (Mr. L’Estrange), and Mr. R. Martin Wilson, Mr. E. C. Griffith, donor of the championship cup, and hon. secretary of the Motor Yacht Club of Now South Wales and Mr. P. A. M’Intosh (vice-commodore of the New South Wales Club), were also cordially welcomed on the Doomba by officials of the Queensland Yacht Club. The carnival was conducted under the auspices of the motor boat section of the Royal Queensland Yacht Club. 

A heavy windstorm obliged the officials to postpone the second event, in which & seaplane was to race against the hydroplanes. The heavy wind prevented the seaplane participating, and as rain was imminent, most of the crowd ashore and afloat made for shelter shortly after the championship was decided. 

VESSELS AND CREWS.
The five speed boats entered for the championship were: Tortoise II (S.A.), Century Tire (Qld.), Lady Sid. (S.A.), Gee Whiz (Qld.), and Miss Albion (Qld.).  Century Tire was the holder of the cup last year, and on Saturday again amply proved her prowess and capacity to maintain it. She ready played with all the other craft, and won the big race easily. This result means that interstate competitors must come to Brisbane again next year to challenge the Mr. M’G. Williams’s craft. 

The following were the crews of the competing boats:— Lady. Sid, Miss Edith Birks (pilot), Mr. Napier Birks (mechanic); Century Tire, Mr. J. M’G. Williams (pilot); Messrs, Les White and F. Smith (mechanics); Gee Whiz, Mr. Geo. Whatmore, junior (pilot), Mr. R. Elliot (mechanic); Miss Albion, Mr. F. Thurlow (pilot), Mr. H. Thurlow (mechanic); Tortoise II, Mr. A. G Rymill (pilot), Mr. G. S. Rymill (mechanic). 

The yacht club officials were: Commodore Mr. James Love; vice-commodore, Mr. A. C. Wishart; rear-commodore, Mr. H. N. Gale; committee, Messrs W. M, L’Estrange (chairman) G. W. Whatmore, R. M. Wilson, H. Ashworth, E. Thurlow, F. A. Bruce, F. P. Jost, E. Hudson, G. R. Sayle; race stewards, Mr. E. Hudson, Colonel F. W. G. Annand, and Mr A. L. M. Wilson; hon. treasurer grounds committee, Mr. T. J. Riddell; and secretary, Mr. H, L. Swain. 

THE RACING.
In the first heat of the  hydroplane championship of Australia a good start was effected, five boats leaving almost in line. Tortoise II jumped to the front directly the line was crossed, and Century Tire immediately gave chase. Then came Gee Whiz and Miss Albion, and the last away was Lady Sid, who got a bad start. Century Tire had overhauled the South Australian crack boat within the first quarter of a mile, and when Geo Whiz reached the first bend she sprang a leak and foundered. One member of her crew jumped clear, and the pilot managed to drag himself out just as the boat disappeared beneath the water. Crews of motor boats that were handy picked up the competitors. 

After this sensation, the spectators again concentrated on the contest, and were surprised to see Century Tire well ahead on the return journey of the first lap. She was two minutes in the lead, and made & smart turn. Tortoise II was second at the end of the first lap, but she was showing signs of engine trouble. This was evidenced by the fact that Lady Sid, which was more than a minute behind her at the end of the first lap, and which made a poor turn, quickly overhauled her within the first quarter of a mile of the second lap. Tortoise II did not come back in the second round, and it was officially reported that the circulating pump had failed, and that the engine onsequently developed over-heating. Miss Albion was well in the rear at the end of the first lap, and her chances as the race increased became hopeless. 

Century Tire was leading by a considerable distance from Lady Sid at the end of the second lap, but the leader was jumping badly, whilst the South Australian representative was riding on an even keel, and won the admiration of the crowd by her spectacular appearance under the control of her dashing lady pilot, Miss Edith Napier Birks. At the end of the third lap Century Tire had not increased her lead over Lady Sid, and Miss Albion was nearly a lap behind, well out of the race. 

The times for the first heat of 20 miles were: — First lap, Century Tire, 5min 5secs; Lady Sid, 6.23; TortoiseII, 5.52; second lap, Century tire, 11.2; Lady Sid, 12.38; third lap, Century Tire, 17; Lady Sid, 18.1; fourth lap Century Tire, 22.20; Lady Sid, 24.40. Miss Albion’s total time was 20min 4secs. 

In the second heat only Century Tire and Lady Sid started, and it resulted in a complete walk over for the Queensland craft. They got away evenly, but after the first quarter of a mile Century Tire went ahead, and gradually increased her lead, until she finished with a margin of about two miles, and a time difference about six and a half minutes. This eliminated tho necessity for a third heat, and Century Tire was acclaimed the Australasian champion by the hooting of sirens, dipping of flags, and the cheers of the thousands assembled around the finishing post.

Lap times were:— First lap, Century Tire, 5.23; Lady Sid, 6.48; second lap Century Tire, 12.35; Lady Sid, 14.45; third lap, Century Tire, 10.30; Lady Sid 23.20; fourth lap, and final. Century Tire, 25.40; Lady Sid, 31.31. 

The race, on the whole, was disappointing, inasmuch as the superiority of Century Tire was apparent right from the start. For awhile Tortoise II and Lady Sid looked like providing competition for the Queensland representative, but an accident to the former and the display of the latter, put the result of the race beyond all doubt. Hence exciting moments and thrilling finishes in the heat and final, which had been anticipated by the crowd, did not materialise.