THIRD RACE.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 24, 30 January 1888, Page 5

THIRD RACE.

COASTING VESSELS, any rig-, 12 tons and under 25, and which have not been built for Yachts. First prize, £30, provided there are five bonajide starters; if four starters, £25 ; and for three, £20 and Cup presented by Messrs. Morrin & Co. ; Second Prize, £10 and Trophy presented by Mr. Kelsey ; Third Prize. £5. CotmsE.—From Flagship thence round Red and White Chequered Buoy in Hangitoto Channel, theneo round Drunken Buy liuoy. thence round hulk "Clara Harffreaves " on" Judge's B.iy. thence round Mark Boat, olf Sugar Works : twice round.

The schooner race and large cutter race having fallen through for lack of competitors, this was the iirst event of the clay. Five cutters faced the starter shortly after 9.30 a.m.—the programme time—the Janet being next Queen-street Wharf, Henry next, to the northward, and the Lily, Jane and Antelope between her and the flagship in the orclergiven. The race was reckoned to be a trial of speed between the Henry, (Jannet and Lily, these being well-known "speelers,' having a history in connection with former regattas, and the Jane was recognised as a new version of the- old cutter Bessie. The Antelope, and Jane were expected to fight out the finish for last place, and the Henry to funn3h the Avinner. A good start was effected, with head-sails down. Ordinai'y canvas was promptly clapped on all five, and with the exception of the Jane all got away well together. The Jane, unfortunately, carried away her throat halyards. This delayed her for about five minutes, and she consequently started at a disadvantage. The other four did not have much alteration in their relative positions while off the North Shore Wharf when the Gannet was seen to bo first with a slight lead of the Henry and Lily, which were in company with the latter to windwaid. The Jane gained on the Antelope on the run down the harbour, and the North Head was rounded in the following order: Gannet, 1; Lily, 2; Henry, 3 ; Jane, 4,• Antelope, last. On the run to the chequered buoy round Prunken Bay and thence to the northern point of Brown's Island, the Lily displayed her sailing powers and when all five boats made their appearance round the North Head .she was seen to have a good lead, with tho Henry second, Gannet or Jane third, and Autelopp last. The first fpu.r went R]™',^ off the so-athern pQfRPP ftf £tyo\vu'sj Island, while what was taken to be the Antelope was about two miles astern, The Lily, Henry, Gantiet, and Jane lay close up to the wind while off the Devonporfc Wharf, when tho Lilly went about and passed ahead of the Henry. The l%tt>BV followed suit, the Gannet and Jane nofc being f^r b.ejf{n.,:Jh,r f n,d i mft Bprerfd short boards wore made lip reach the Clara Hargreaves, the wind coming out almost southerly.

TheGannet gradually improved position and was the first to round the Clara Hargreayes, the Li]y beinjj second, Henry third, Jane fourth, and Antelppe q, very }on« d}stai)ce astern of al}, The con'^ test tjien appeared to be between the Gannet and Lily, but the £fen.ry wan by no means out of ifc, and did her level best to pick up lost gi-ound. The flagship was passed for the first time gs follows :— Gannet, 12hra. 22min. ; Lily, I2hrs. 25min. 30.sep. ; Henry, 12hra. 2»aaln. 30soc. ; -lane,' Igi.rs, pmjn, Tj^g (3upr Wfivfeg buoy was rounded in the same order, and no material alteration in the relative positions of the cutters had taken place when they passed the (iagsfjfp to go over the oour.se for the second tipie. Tljp Nprtli Head was rounded : Gannet, I; My, 3 ; Henry. S, When we went to press the positions w,er§ : Garnet, 1 j Lilly, 2 ; Henry, 3,