AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 30, 4 February 1905, Page 12

AQUATICS.

I The Auckland Anniversary Regstta, j J whichswas held last Monday, -was one of (the brightest and most successful Aqutic functions held in Auckland f or rijant " i years. Always looked on as the greatest ' day of the year on the -waters of the Waitemata, the Anniversary Regitia ' has a still more important bearing—ft has since ISSO been the people's media* \ of celebrating the foundation of the pi*- " vinee, and for these reasons it is i«. 1 igarded with pride by every Aucklaader. ' I The attendance on the flagship Victoria ' on Monday last was quite 2000, whil* « - ' the two big steamers berthed ftt ..the ; wharf there were quite another two or ' three thousand people. Although ocasional showers of rain fell during tot 1 day the proceedings were very little 1 tarnished: in fact, the people did aot ' Beein to mind the rain. The submiriat ] explosion and the trip round the itr--1 bour at the end of the regatta forajid ' a fitting conclusion to a magnificent day's sport. Under the circumstances the raets 1 passed off very successfully, and h>4 1 the -wind held throughout the day cloaa ' finishes would have been witnessed it ' most of the events. The ; were arranged for a fairly stiff breeze, 1 and until the -wind dropped, in the liter. 1 noon they appeared to he satisfactory in most cases. The handicapping of the first-class yachts was very nicely worked out," three of the boats MagV ■ actually with a few seconds of ea& ' other when the race was half throngb. 1 Unfortunately the breeze died away htfore the end of the race, or it would : hare been a hard matter to pick ike winner until dose upon the finish. After finishing their race several ere*i ' of yachts repeatedly sailed their boats ■ across the finishing line at the regatta on Monday, much to the annoyance of officials and others on board the flag* ■ ship. It is a thankless job at any tame judging yacht, races, and when boat* that are not in the racing, appear, it 'becomes almost hopeless, especially *■•■■"■ ; the number of idle boats increases. The ■ practice was not confined to any class, even boats of the Yacht Squadron, iriio aTe supposed to know more about sail, ing rules and etiquette than most, hare to be reprimanded. I hope that in future yachtsmen will do all they can to assist • the officials, for as I hare pointed oat their task is not an enviable one. A man by the name of Armstrong, fifty-three years of age, recently wol a . sculling race at Nowra (N.S-W.), beating a field of young and strong scullen, . With his nephew. Armstrong also "wni f the Double Sculls. The West End Rowing- Club are hoM« | ing trial fours on" the 18th inst. fortrifc , phies presented by one of the dub's" most popular vice-presidents. Mr J. Kohn. The Auckland Rowing Club intended • holding trial fours next Saturday for trophies presented by Mr Geo. Foirldfc, , M-ELR-, but owing to the Austadkn cricketers being: here on that date.it jlha 9 been decided to hold them On the { following SaturdayThis afternoon the North Shore Rowing Club were holding the annual coo- ; -petition ior the cup presented by Messrs . |G. Orpwood. Vf , . D. C-ossar, and W- Swia- , I nerton. j I The Home Bay Sailing dub willeU . t J their third series of class races« next , ! Saturday. ) I The North Shore Yacht Club heM.t i \ cruising race to Kaw&u this afteraooi, . j The Ponsonby Cruising Club -were ,; sailing a cruising race this afternoon, f . j The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squai--1 ron had a big programme for this after- . noon, including four class races, banifiticap races for 2Gft. tuck stern centre- ; 3 |board boats, motor laanehe^