LYTTELTON REGATTA, 1872.

Press, Volume XIX, Issue 2706, 2 January 1872, Page 2

LYTTELTON REGATTA, 1872.

Commodore, H. P. Murray-Aynsley, Esq. Vice-Commodore, P. Cunningham, Esq. Secretary, Mr J. Carder. Treasurer, Mr H. N. N.alder. Starters, Captain Gibson, Messrs R. P. Crosbie and Norris.

This annual aquatic fixture came off yesterday, after a postponement which threatened to put an end to it finally, on account of the exceeding roughness of the weather. The wind, which had been increasing from early;morning, rose by nine o'clock to almost a gale, and a meeting of the committee was held, at which it was decided to postpone the commencement of the regatta until noon. At: noon, the wind moderated somewhat, and a start was made with the remaining portion of the programme, the race for Shaw, Saville and Co.'s Cup having been rowed early in the morning. Nothing daunted by the threatening ' appearance of the weather, crowds continued to pour in train full after train full, until "Port was full to overflowing with folks gay in holiday attire. In order to form some idea of the number of persons present; we may state that over 4000 travelled by the railway. ... .■ L' -

The first thing that strikes the casual visitor to Lyttelton, whose trips to what has been called the'gate of the province, is confined to holiday times such as these, is the vastly improved' aspect of Lyttelton, as compared with that: of the town before the fire. In every direction activity in building is noticeable, more particularly on the reclaimed"land, where two large stores, for storage of grain and dumping of wool are being rapidly erected, one for the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company and the other for the firm of Talbot and McClatchie. The appearance of the breastwork and wharves yesterday, crowded as they were with well-dressed people, was exceedingly animated. During the day the s.s. Maori and Halcyon made frequent excursions;round the harbour, in each case being crowded with passengers. The Lyttelton town band discoursed some excellent music during .the day f and added greatly to the enlivenment of the scene.

The flag-ship was. the s.s. Gazelle, and Captain McLellan with his usual hospitality did all in his power to render the visit of his guests pleasurable, and in this he succeeded in a marked degree, his only regret being that his. vessel was not large enough to contain all'that he would have liked to have seen onboard. . .... " ;

The regatta itself was a decided success, except so far as the weather in the early part was concerned, the officers, Commodore, and Vice-Commodore, exerting themselves to the utmost to make the" thing a success.' The Lyttelton boats in the gig races carried off all the honors, winning two cups against their Cbristchurch and Kaiapoi competitors, much to the delight of the ancient mariners of the Port town.

In the big race of the day, the Sailing Race, the favorite, the Aepasis,'which it will be recollected, won the cup last year in firstrate style, had very bad luck, and victory crowned the efforts of her smaller rival, the Antelope, the difference in "tonnage .giving her a win.

Messrs-Wood and Cunningham's prize for bay I traders, brought out a good cloud of starters, and resulted rather against the predictions of the knowing ones, in the Rambler taking the prize, the favorite having been the Gipsy.

The Yacht Race was a gift to the Annie Ogle, the Red Jacket having been disabled bythe loss of her topmast just at the start. The Dunedin boat ran well, and her spirited owner deserves every credit for his pluck in coming down to compete for the prize. The Boys' Four-oared Gig Race resulted in a failure. The Naiad won, but a protest was entered by the Fernleaf boys, which resulted in the Committee deciding it no race, and ordering it to be run over again over a shorter course. This the Naiads refused to do ; consequently no prize was given. The Champion Sculler's Race was the best of the day, resulting in a victory for Dawson. after & capital race from start to finieh. Dawson's style was much admired, for the clean manner in which he handled his sculls.

In the Waterman's Sailing Race some mistake occurred as to the course to be sailed, two boats went one way, the other two going another. This led to a protest, and ultimately the two first boats were disqualified, the prizss being given to second and third. The following were the events and results :—

Fotje-Oaeed Gig Race, for members of Clubs only, Ist prize, Shaw, Saville, and Co.'s Cup, and engraved pewters for each of the winning crew, value

not less than 21s each ; 2nd, £5. En- '< trance, £1. Distance, 3 miles, feruleaf, L. T. C. (Edcu,l ; McDonald, 2 ; .ASsrrigbti 3 ; Wyman, stroke ; Messiter, |- ; c(«,>;>' w i 3tfaiad, JS. R. C. (A. Pavitt, 1 ; Clark, 2 ; ■•'.: O'Hara, ■ 3 ; J. W. Davis, stroke; E. Poiritt, cox.) 2 C. R. 0. (Macfarlane. 1 ; Atkynß, 2 ; Grierson, 3 ; Hmlson, stroke ; Crowley,, cox.) 3 "Thetif, U. R. C. (Mouson, 1 ; Gain, 2 ; Sheath, 3 ; Guudry, stroke ; W. Sheath, - cosl , 4 Endeavour. A. B. C. (Jos. Dawson. 1 ; D. lieese, 2 ; A. Reese, 3 ; Jno. Dawson, stroke; cox) o May Flower. L. B. C\ (Harrison, 1 : Roper, 2 ; W. Cameron, 3 ; A. Cuif, stroke ; A. O'Neill, cox.) ... o „ The committee, after some consultation, decided to scud the. boats away, although the weather was far from favorable for outriggers, the wind being from the N.W., strong ami puffy, and giving every promise of an increase, which later on iv the day was realised. After a short delay, the boats paddled down to the start in the following order, Mayflower, Tamesis, Naiad, Endeavor, Fernleaf, and at a considerable distance in rear, Thetis. . The course was from off Raupaki, down the harbor, winning inshore of the flagship Gazelle, lying off the railway pier. The committee, starters, and other official* proceeded to the starting-place in the p.S. Clyde, the s.s Halcyon also accompanyiug the race. The boats having been placed in line, Mr Crosbie got them away ii> a capital start shortly after 8.30 a.m. At this time, to the merest tyro, it was Lombard Street to a China orange against the outriggers living through, such was the force of the wind. The Fernleaf was the first to catch the water, and immediately assumed a strong lead. She, like the skipper of the Hesperus steered for tho open sea ; her antagonist at once making for the shore, with tlje evident intention of hugging the land so as to escape the force of the wind, and make as far as possible a smooth water passagq of it. Tamesis and Mayflower took up second and third places respectively, with the Naiad fourth, Thetis about two lengths The Endeavour, almost immediately niter her start, was swamped, and her crew picked up, after considerable difficulty, by the p.s. Clyde. Off Cass's Bay the Fernleaf had asjumed a commanding lead of about forty yirds, Mayflower being second, Naiad about two lengths behind, with the Tamesis in close attendance, the Thetis bringing up the rear. At Baker's Bay the weather was tod much for the Mayflower, who, being waterlogged, from force of circumstances cried a go. . The Naiad now assumed second place, the Tamesis with a grand spurt began to draw up to her. At this time the Fernleaf was rowing 44 strokes to the minute, the Naiad 42, and the Tamesis 40. OS Dampier's Bay the Fernleaf had increased her lead to at least 100 yards. Naiad still occupying second position, and the Tamesis about forty yards in rear, the Thetis being some distance behind. They occupied those relative positions untilthe finish, and though the smooth water and a plucky spurt on tho part of both the Naiad and the Tamesis somewhat improved their positions in the race, it was virtually over, the Fernleaf winning easily. Scullers' Race in Licensed Wntcrmefi'a Boats, and by Licensed Watermen. Ist prize, Messrs Bcath and Co.'b Cup ; 2nd, the entrance money. Entrance, 7s 6d. Two miles. Messitei's Grace Darling (G. Messiter) ... 1 Watson's Just in Time (Watson) ... 2 Roberts' City of Canterbury (Hay) ... 0 Watson led off at at clipping pace when the fla£ was lowered, leaving thd others some distance behind, but striking , a straight course . into the wind, it was soon evident that Hay was out of the race, and that it lay between Messite* and Watson. The former, from his previousf eats, was looked upon as the favorite, and justified,this predilection by Towing a most judicious race throughout. His aim all through was to get under shelter of the point, which, he succeeded in doing, and booh overhauled his opponent, winning by several lengths. A protest entered on the ground of a foul was disallowed. Sailing Race, for vessels trading to the Bays—(Messrs Wood and Cunningham's prize.) Ist prize, £15 ; 2nd do, £10. Rambler, cutter (Fisher) ... ... ... I Gipsy (Matthews) ... ... 2 Minnie (Pawson) ... ... ft Diligent (Brown) "... 0 On the signal being given to go, all went smartly to work, the Gipsy being the first to* clear with a spanking breeze, Rambler . second, Diligent third, and Minnie last, the* latter in getting; away nearly fouling the Kaiuma, and stopping her way. In this order they passed tho breakwater fot the first time, and. when clear of the breakwater, the Diligent set her gaff topsail. Coming! up harbor again, the order was changed somewhat, Gipsy still leading, Rambler second, close up, Minnia third, and Diligent fourth. Opposite the town the Diligent took third place, passing the Minnie, and they rounded the reef in the following order :—Rambler, 1 ; Gipsy, 2; Diligent, 3 ; Minnie, 4. :In the last tack for home, the Rambler £ot the weather gauge of the Gipsy, and ran in a winner by several seconds, the rest as placed. FouE-oiKED Whaleboat Race, allcomers. Ist pr.ze,' £15 ; 2nd, £3. Entrance, £1. Distance, 3 niilea. . Bangitotp (Eden, 1 ; Snoswell, 2; All8 ; Wynian, stroke; O'Neill, - cox.) ; ... ... l Just in Time (Grubb, 1; Foulkes, 2; Childsj 3j Newton,, stroke ; Hey wood, cox.) f ... ... ..; 2 City of Canterbury (scratch crew.) " ... 0 The City of Canterbury was only entered to make a race, and caved in at an early period sd far as racing was concerned. The Rangitoto went off with the lead, closely followed by the Just-in-Time," who hung persistently l at their etern, and would not bs , shaken off. In this way they raced up the.' harbor to the buoy off Baker'eßay, and back; round the flagship! Passing the flagship for, ! , the first! time the Rangitoto had a lead of. about a boat's length.' This was gome What ' decreased by a misunderstanding of the f course. A fine race then ensued round the' buoj, and back to the flagship, which was won; only by a length, by the Rangitoto. SAiLiNa RACE for Crafts under 150 tons., let prize, Messrs Shaw Saville, and Co.'s enp, and a puree of 20 sovereigns ; 2nd, £10; 3rd, £5; entrance, £1 10s. Course to the Heads and round reef. Allowance <15secs per toe. Aspasia, M'Clatchic, 45 tons, 2h 47m l&secs ... ... I Antelope, Malcolmson, 17 tons, 2h 54m .- Z6secs, ... ... ... ... ... 2i Enierald, Whitby, 40 tons, 2h 58m lOsecs 3: 5 The Ocean Wave, 118 tons; Kaiuma, 39 tots; and Jupiter, 27 tons, also started. A, vejry good race ensued. The lot passed , the breakwater under all plain sail 4 . add soon began to show their canvass. The Antelope and Emerald went ashore on. the reef, and the detention thus caused puts ; them almost out of the race, but getting a slant of wind they came up again. Tha Aspasia had to allow the Antelope 4mku iOsec. for tonnage, but this failed to give tho latter the victory. . -' ■ Paie-oab Gig Race for Clubi only. Ist ; -prize, £9 ; 2nd, £3.. Distance, 1§ miles. Kiwi, KiB.C. (R. and G. Wright, G. I Wright, cox.) ... ... * pipple, A.B.C. (Howell and Slater, Stel- ; ling, cox.) , ... ... 2 ißlue Bell. K.B.C 5 i A very good race between first and second, lending m Kiwi winning by Bsecs; 18eecs between second and third. FouE-oiEED Gig Race, open to all memI bers of Clubs. Ist prize, cup presented by his Worship the Magor of Lyttelton, J value £20; 2nd prize, £10; entrance £1. ) Distance, 3 miles. !Mayflower (Harrison, 1; Roper, 2; W. Cameron, 3; Cuff, stroke ; J. O'Neill* cox.) * . Tamesis (Macfarlan, 1 ; Atkyns 2 ; Grierson, 3; Herdson, stroke ; Crowley, cox.) a Naiad (A. Pavitt, 1; Clark, 2; O'Hara, 3 j Davis, stroke; E. Pavitt, cox.) ... ••• •* Fernleaf (L.T.C.) ... 0 Pere(K,B.C.) 0

End/ ."„ orrJ3.C,) .... _„. _, _-O. Thetis (uTB.C.) ... dr Six boats came to the start ont_of_the_ eeven entered, the Thetis "not putting In ah appearance. The weather at thp time of rowing this off was a great improvement upon the morning, but was still somewhat rough for outriggers. Mr Crosbie got them away upon pretty even terms, the Naiad being the first to show to the front, closely followed by the Fernleaf and the Mayflower, the Tamesis lyiug next, and the Endeavor and the Pcre in the rear. Th« Mayflower and Taraesis at once hugged the shore for shelter, the Fernleaf and the Naiad keeping nearly a straight course. Off Cass Bay the Mayflower had assumed the command, the Naiad! lying second. Tamesis third. The Fernleaf now began to fall back, and the Pere to better her condition. The weather was still too heavy for the Endeavor, who, though they pulled a losing- race most pluckily, never were in it. Off the slaughter house, the Mayflower had assumed a very strong lead, the Tamesis pulling 38 to the minute, now wresting second place from the Naiad. From this the race was never in doubt, the Mayflower winning easily, the Tamesis second, the Naiad a good third. Time, 22 ruin.

Open Boat Sailing Race, for all comers. Ist prize, £5 ; 2nd, £1. Emma (Day) 1 Flirt (Revell) 2 Flnfratnta (Rich) ... 0 The Emma went away -with the lead, followed by the FluSatuta and Flirt, ultimately winning by one minute, the Flirt wresting second honors from the FlufEatuta. Waterman's Sailing Race. Ist prize, £8; 2nd, £2; and Captain Jenkins, ' sculls. Bine Tail Fly (Agar) 1 City of C anterbury (Rolierts) 2 Tost Boy (Walsh) ... dis Light Brigade (Durham) dis The Post Boy took the lead, and won by several lengths, the Light Brigade second; but owing to their not going the course they were disqualified, and the prizes given as above. Yacht Race. Ist prize, £20 ; 2nd do, £5. Allowance, 10 seconds per ton. Annie Ogle, 15 tons (Cunningham) ... 1 Tormentor (Gibbs) 2 Scud, 2 tons (Cholmondely) 0 Red Jacket, 2 tons (Day) 0 The Annie had the race all the way, winning as she liked, the Dunedin boat a good second. Champion Sculler's Race. Ist prize, Captain Rose's silver sculls and £5 ; 2nd do, £1. Distance, 2 milee. Dewdrop, A. B. C. (Dawson) 1 Tere, K. B. C. (Wright) ... 2 This was a magnificent race throughout. Dawson gradually crept up and passed Wright, who however stuck to him manfully, but Dawson came away a winner by barely a length. Swimming Match, in Rowing Costume, from Peacock's to Steam Wharf. Ist prize, £2 ; 2nd, entrance money. W. Merriman 1 Gahagan ... ... ... 2 Nicholas George ' 0 J. Childs ... ... ... 0 McKeown 0 The winner swam excellently, and a good race ensued between him and the second mau, resulting as placed. Duck Hunt, prize £2. Duck, J. Tregear. Drake, E. O'Neill. Won by the duck after a capital race. At the conclusion of the race for the Mayor's Cup the winning crew repaired on board the flag ship where his Worship the Mayor and Mrs Allwright were in waiting to formally present the cup. His Worship said that he might tay that the boating men of Canterbury had to thank Mrs Allwright for the cup—[Cheers] —for although he (the Mayor) had to proTide the pecuniary part, yet it was at Mrs Allwxight's suggestion that it had been offered, [Cheers.] He must say he was highly gratified to find that it had been won by a Lyttelton boat. [Hear," hear.] And he was also pleased to see so good a muster from the various clubs to compete for it. He trusted that the winners of the cup would regard it, not for its intrinsic value, but as having been won by them in a friendly contest. [Cheers.] He would now ask Mrs Allwright to present the cup. [Cheers.] Mrs Allwright said it was with the utmost pleasure that she performed the duty devolving upon her of presenting the cup to the winning crew—[cheers]—that pleasure was made a great deal more by reason of the presentation having to be made to a Lyttelton club. She trusted they would go on and win more cups yet. [Cheers.] Mrs Allwright then presented the cup to Mr Roper on behalf of the crew, who briefly returned thanks, expressing their appreciation of it, and wishing they might always have such good men to row against as their opponents.

The cup having been filled with champagne, the health of the winning crew was duly drank.

Mr KoPEE then in eulogistic terms proposed the healths of his Worship the Mayor and Mrs Allwright, which was responded to very heartily.

Captain McLellan then gave the healths of "The Commodore and Vice-Commodore," paymg a high compliment to the energy evinced by those gentlemen in the carrying out of the regatta.

The toast was drunk with three times three and a little one in.

" The Officers and Stewards," coupled with the names of Messrs Carder and Nalder; and "The Visitors," coupled with that of Mr Biggs, of Dunedin, closed a most enjoyable day.-