NAPIER CARNIVAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 69, 20 March 1908, Page 5

NAPIER CARNIVAL.

THE YACHT RACES. WON BY MAEDONDAH AND RONA. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") NAPIER, Thursday. Notwithstanding heavy rain to-day, the committee decided to start the yacht race. Eight out of nine yachts entered came to the post, and, with a light westerly wind, the fleet got away well together, the Maroondah having a slight lead. All the yachts kept well together to the Poritie buoy, Maroro being first to get round, followed by Maroondah, Meteor, and Surrey, the others being close up. Spinakers were now set, and the Meteor soon assumed the lead on the run to Patene, rounding the buoy nearly a minute ahead of all competitors. Maroondah came second, Surrey third, and Edith fourth, the others being some distance behind. On the long reach to Quarantine Mark the two leaders increased their advantage, Meteor still gaining on Maroondah. The wind was fairly steady, but increasing in force. As the rain lifted when passing the Serpentine, Meteor met with an accident, carrying away her throat halyard's block. This practically lost her all chance of winning. This misfortune left ?the race virtually in the hande of Maroondah, which rounded quarantine buoy ten minutes in advance of Edith, which had run into second place, with Sunray close up. Very little change took place to the finish, Maroondah maintaining her lead and winning easily. Sunray finished second, and Meteor, which continued to race in a crippled condition, finished two lengths behind the Edith, and passed the winning post a good fourth. The other yachts in the race were the Ngaroma (owned by Mr. Jeffries, and built by Logan), Maroro (built by Bailey and Lowe), Tuna (owned by Mr. Smith, of Wellington, built by Bredens and Bailey, of Wellington), and the Lipton (bui'.t by G. Taylor).

With time allowance the yachts were placed: Maroondah 1, Edith 2, Tuna 3, Sunray 4, Meteor 5, Ngaroma, 6, Maroro

Handicap iacht Race, 12 miles: Rona 1, Gondola 2, Muratai 3. The weather being very stormy, other events were postponed till Saturday. In the musical competition last night, Miss H. Evans, of Auckland, had a great reception. The "Herald" says: "Miss Evans, who has an exceptionally fine voice, gave a pood interpretation of her song." St. Matthew'e (Hastings) won the choir competition, St. Augustine (Xapior) second, St. Paul's third. Referring to the Champion Fours race, to be rowed next Monday, the "Daily Telegraph" says: "West Shore is a scene of great excitement, the arrival of so many visiting crews giving a decidedly gay and busy appearance to the different sheds. Blenheim (tw6 crews), Waitemata, and Pic-ton, entrants for the Champion Fours, are putting in some solid work, and all are showing in various styles their determination to make a big bid for fnme. Waitemata so far Feems to be the favourite crew, and on present form should make themselves felt. They are a heavy lot. averaging about. 12st Rib. Their time is very consistent, with a solid catch, and fine body swing stroke."