AUCKLAND ANNUAL REGATTA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 294, 11 December 1896, Page 3

AUCKLAND ANNUAL REGATTA.

TOTAL PRIZE-MONEY £450.

WHALEBOAT RACES REINSTATED.

A largely-attended meeting of the Auckland kegatta Committee was held last evening in the Waitemata Hotel, to consider the forthcoming anniversary regatta in this pom. Mr A. H. Nathan presided. The firab business waa the discussion of tha programme, especially with regard to tha proposed whaleboab races. Mr Keesing moved, in accordance with notice given, "Thab tha resolution of tho Committee passed on November 26 whereby the champion whaleboat race waa altered from an amateur event to an open one, and tho other two whaleboat races altered to gig events, be rescinded." The mover urged thab bhe champion race be made an amateur one, so that) local men could take part, and thab Che other two whaleboat races be replaced on the programme. He did nob consider there would be a good field from outside rowers, and thought local men should be given a Bhovv. He remembered in past days when the local clubs used to get new wbalebcabs built) for each Regatta Day, aud be thought) the building of boats in the port should be encouraged. Mr H. Parker thought the junior and maiden whaleboat races should never have been wiped off in favour of the gig races. He thought the less! gig races they held the better and the more wbaleboat races they had the better for tho port of Auckland. They could always geb whaloboab races off, which was nob the case aa far as gig; races were cotacoreed, and it would ba unfair to the public to strike off the whaloboafc racea. Mr C. C. Bacre (Hon. Sec;otary) read a letter from Mr John Blacknmnn, of Sydney, asking for information respecting the whaleboab race, and Btating thab if inducement! offered James Stanbury, the ex-champion sculler of the world, would come across ts take part in any rowing racea that were open to him. The meeting then rescinded the resolution of November 2Sth, altering the whaleboat races. Mr G. V. Edgcumbe then moved: "That the champion whaleboat race be a race open to all eomerg." Mr Keesing moved aa aa amendment, " Thab the champion whaleboab race be rowed as an amateur event, under the rules of the Ntjw Zealand Rowing Association." Mr Parker spoka in favour ot the champion whaleboab race being an open one, aad thought there should be one good race such as this on Regatta Day, which would be an attraction for the public and be the big event of the day. The motion, that the champion whaleboab race be an " all-comers" race, was carried by a large majority. The two amateur whaleboab races, maiden and junior, were then retained on the urogramme, oh the voices. Ib was then proposed to place a senior whaleboab race on the progriunmo. Mr Parker said that from the public's ■fcam'point the gig races in sais harbour had beeu a failure. The majority of members wore in favour of a senior whaleboab, race and this was doho.

The following programme and amounts of prize monsy were then decided on :— Scow Race: First prize, £30; second. £10.

Large Yachts, 42fb and over, class.B (new rating): First prize, £25; second, £5. Trading Vobsols, 40 toaa and under: First prizo, £20 ; second, £5. Yachts, under 36ft, class C : First: prize, £20; second, £10-

Fishing-boata (handicap): First) prize, £15; second, £5.

All comers' (cruisers) race for yachts, etc., excluding 'trading vessels: First? prize, £19 ; f-econd, £5.

Yachts, 30ft and under, Class D i First prize, £20 ; second, £5. Yacht*, keel or centreboard, 26ft and under : First prize, £7 10s ; Becond, £2 10a.

Open Sailing Boats (16 fco 20 feet): First prize, £4; second, £2. Champion Whaloboab Race : Firab jviizfi £100 if six boats compete, if less than six £75; Becond. £25; third, £10.

Junior Whaleboata: First) prize. £15; second, £5.

Maiden Whaleboats : Firsb prize, £10 ; second, £5.

Junior Gigs, under lOat: Firsfc prize, £10; second, £2.

Maiden Gigs, under lOsb : Firsb prize, £10; second, £2.

Dingy K-aee, for boys under 18: Prize, £3. :

Naval Volunteers and Men-a'-War Cutters: Prize, £13.

Dingy Race, over 18 : Prize, £4. Ships' boats: £5. Senior wbaleboats ; First prize, £20; second, £5.

Sculling race : Marshall Cap and medal The total prize money voted was £450.

Messrs R. S. Reynolds and G. V. Edgcumbe were appointed a aub-committee to rerise tha regulations regarding the sailing races, and Messrs D. Millar and W. Cossar were similarly appointed for the rowing races.