KAIAPOI REGATTA.

Press, Volume XXVII, Issue 3643, 13 March 1877, Page 3

KAIAPOI REGATTA.

CommCrddre--|br Dudley; judge—Mr Wbitefoord ; starter—Mr J. Sims ; hon secretary and treasurer—Mr T. M. Brook ; committee —Messrs W. Bumip, E. G. Kqrr, G. H. Wearing, W. Fraser, W. Eckersley, J. Dawson, J. Beharrell, B. H. Mathews, C. Oram, A. Balch, R. Moore, and B. Monk. The regatta of 1877 as regards weatheron which outdoor amusements mainly depend—a large attendance of the public, a goodly number of entries, and keenly contested races,was a decided success, and but for the delays in getting off the events the enjoyment of the regatta would not have been interfered with. No doubt the committee on another occasion will bear this in mind, and endeavor to arrange the courses so that there will be an opportunity given to (he subscribers to their funds to have some pleasure in witnessing a larger portion than onethird of each race. The finishes, which were seen for a distance of a mile, were very interesting, but the starts are equally so, and it would be well if the events could be started 'as in former years at the bridge, and after turning a distance buoy j cr boat win there also. In the Champion race there would be no objection to the boats going a straight coarse of three miles, but the loss of time in sending, the competitors for each race to the starting point ou Monday was too great as well as as the cause of dissatisfaction. The day could not have been better chosen, although it was not a holiday. The attraction, of an aquatic contest seem to ever find favor, and tbe stream of visitors from the country as well as by the trains from town, was nearly as large as had the regatta taken place on a holiday. The weather was perfection, and never has the river been in a better state. It was feared the tides might be low, but in this the committee was fortunate, and but for the causes already stated, all the events could have been got off with a large body of water in the river. Towards evening a breeze set in, which rendered tbe lower part of the course somewhat rough and jobbly. The officers of the regatta were well at their stations; and'especially to the starter is every credit due ' for the manner in which he discharged his duties. The races were started up stream, except in.the case of the double sculls and "canoes, which were despatched down stream and returned to the starting point to win. At the winning post which was placed on Mr J. Matthew's wharf, was a roped in enclosure for the committee, commodore, and judge. The banks and wharves on each side of the river served as a capital stand from which to view the best portion of the course ; a considerable length of it lower down being covered in with the willow plantations of the Borough Council. The town was gay with bunting, and at Burnip's Hotel, itself decorated with flags, was erected a stand from which Mr Button's band discoursed enlivening music during the day. The public, we believe, have to thank the proprietor of the hotel for this attraction to the regatta. There was no evidence of any disturbance, and the duties of the police under Sergeant Willis, were directed to keeping spaces clear where required, and preventing persons congregating-too touch'on the swing bridge. The boats belonging to the visiting crews were kindly stored in Birch and Co's lower store with immediate access to the river. The programme was opened with the sweepstakes race, and which waa well con tested by the junior crews of the Canterbury Bowing and Heathcote Clubs. The stroke of the former,-who have had Mr Mellish for their mentor, was greatly admired,-and the fine swing and sweep of the Tamesiß told greatly against the superior boat of the Heathcote Club. The latter may be considered the best boat in the province, and it is to be regretted it was not entered with a well trained crew for the last interprovincial, for it has even more life, and from its length sits better on the water, than the Cam. The champion four oared race, as champion races on the Waimakiriri usually are, was well contested. In this was seen the advantage of constant practice. Mr Jones' crew, it is understood has, for some time, been in regular training, while the Cam crew has lately been changed, and the oarsmen had not got into proper swing. The Heathcote crew may be considered quite a scratch crew. The Endeavour crew have practised a few times on the Avon, but have not-had the advantage of a boat in which they could feel quite at ease. The race throughout was splendidly rowed by the three crews, and everyone was pleased to see the Canterbury club men— who have done so much for rowing—win in the manner they did. It was aleo gratifying to witness the success generally of this club in the regatta, and it can only be regretted that the other city clubs do not wake up a bit. The junior four-oared crew of the Canterbury club pulled off the junior fouroared race against the same crew as in the first race of the day, and both races were decided fairly on theirmerits. The seaiorpairs was one of the most exciting races of the day, as between the Cure, Kiwi, and Tamesis; but so close was the Kiwi allowed to come to tho Cure—which latter is far the superior boat when well handled—that it seemed probably the Kiwi would pull it off, and the cheers to the respective crews became very loud and general as the poat was neared. The Tamesis in this race was well rowed throughout In the Junior Pairs the Sylph held her own, the Cure only causing one or two spurts, the latter being subjected to a like treatment by the Kiwi. Tbe Weka wan first favorite for the Double Sculls, and only lost the race in tbe last half-mile. Mr Jones was all at home in his canoe, and won easily, Faugh-a-balla—a new craft—coming second, and Perrin, in the Rip Rap, third. The following are the entries and remarks :— Four-oared Sweepstake race of £1 each boat with _38 added; distance, about three miles; for crews who have not entered in the champion four-oared race Tamesis, OJ_.C—(l, A. C. Lean, lOst; 2, J. R. Lanauze, lOst 31b; 3, J. R. Martin, lOst 41b; stroke, A. A. Fooks, lOat 21b s cox, O. Dixon, sst) 1 Heathcote, H.B.C—(I, J. Smith, Bst 101b; 2,0. Day, lOst; 3, J. Rule, lOst; stroke, R. Nankerville, lOst 71b; cox, W. Evans, j Bat) 0 I The two boats were despatched in the race from the south bank of the river, the Heath- I cote crew cutting away with a Btnart stroke, and promising to get a strong lead, but when the Tamesis crew got into its swing they piled it on, and in abont a hundred yards passed their rivals, and to Mr Whitefoord's house kept gaining on a distance of several boat's lengths. Here the Heathcote crew put on steam, and lessened the distance somewhat, but although they gamely spurted to the judge's post were not able to overhaul the Tamesiß crew. The latter passed the post 17-ecs in front, and then pulling all easy. Champion Four • oared race; distance, abont three miles; open to "fell clubs in the colony ; course, up stream ; Ist j prize, £20; 2nd prize, £5; entrance, ' £2 Tamesis, C.8.0.-0, T. Taylor, lOst 121bs; 2, T. Grierson, list 12lbs; 3, L. Ollivier, 12st lib ; stroke. J. O. Jones, lOst 41bs ; cox, 0. Dixon, Sst)... ... 1 Cam, Core 8.C.— (1, G. W. Wearing, lO.t; 2, 0. E. Dudley, lOst 91b ;3, W. H. Hollier, 12st 41b; stroke, J. T. Winterboume, lOst 101b ; cox, F. Weston, 4st 71b) 2 Heathcote, K.S. and R.C.—(I, T. Mellor, 9at 101b; 2, B. Day, 9at 121b ;3, J. Perrin, 12st 31b; stroke, G. Wright, lOst 31b; cox, J. Ayres, 6at 81b) ... 0 Endeavor, T.R.C.—I, G. F. Day, lOst ; 2, H. W. Dawson, list; 3, B. Guinness, 12«t 21b; stroke, W. D. Willcox, lOst 21b; cox, W. Johnston, 4st) 0 The crews drew for places, and were placed from the north bank opposite the fisherman's hut in the following order:—Heathcote, Endeavor, Cam, Tamesis, the positions of all of which were excellent from the fact that in the width of the rifer Mr Sims sent them to stations at least a Chain and a half apart; and to an observer from shore when the word was given, the bows of the boata were as level as if they had been started from a line, Indeed, it wonld be un-

possible to have had a better start In the excitement of .starting the. ; crewa wjm& somewhat wildly, bnt on settling jhtovearnaet work the Heathcote went to the front and availed themselves of the best portion of the , still water on their side. The Cam in the cluster appeared to be second, bnt on coming into better view to observers on shore, the Tamesis was seen to gradually an*d. surely improve its position by passing the Cam and then the Heathcote. Soon after which the Cam came up, and passing the Heathcote, gave a challenge to the Tamesis. The Endeavor crew, considering the water too lumpy for. them, gave in at the end of first half mile, and were never afterwards in the race. The positions taken—the Tamesis first, Cam second, Heathcote third, with' abont two lengths between each boat* and the respective crews pulling , a dogged determined stroke of about an equal time — was maintained to. Harris Island, the Heathcote at one point drawing up, but unfortunately'giving way • again, Passing the junction of the rivers the Cam men put on a plucky spurt, but Jones was equal to the occasion, and the Tamesis' [ answering his request increased the distance between it and the Cam by half a length. Coming into the straight course for the judges' stand the Cam was again called on, and if Winterboume had pat on a quicker stroke must certainly have sent that boat into very close quarters with the, Tamesis. However, the crews straining every nerve and working to the utmost of their strength, rowed the respective boats at a very swift pace past the winning post within a distance of two lengths of each other. The distance between the Cam and the second boat, and the Heathcote was about three lengths. The signal of the Tamesis winning was one for loud and prolonged cheering at the success of the visitors. The time of tjbis race was about 16 .mine. Jnnior Four-oared race ; under twenty-one years; distance, about two miles; couree, up stream; Ist prize, £6; 2nd prize, £2; entrance, 15s Tamesis, C.R.C—I, A. O. Lean ;2,J. B. Lanauze ; 3, J. R. Martin ; stroke, A. A. Fooks ; cox, C. Dixon ... ... 1 Heathcote, H.R.C—I, J. Smith; 2, C. Day; 3, J. Rule ; stroke, B. Nankerville ; cox. W. Evans ... 0 In this event the Tamesis obtained a decided lead. In one or two instances, particularly opposite Harris Island, the Heathcote gave an exciting chase, whioh threatened to end in its coming to the fore, but unfortunately it fell short in the distance of half a length from the leader. The Tamesis was never overhauled, and came in a winner by 15 sees. Senior Fair-oared race ; distance, about two miles; course, up stream ; Ist prize, £6 ; 2nd prize, £2 ; entrance, 15s Cure, O.B.C—G. W. Wearing, stroke J. F. Winterboume, cox F. Weston 1 Kiwi, K.B. k S.O —T. Mellor, stroke G, Wright, cox F. Day 2 Tameßie, C.B.C.—W. Grieraon, stroke J. O. Jones, cox C. Dixon 0 Sylph, U.B.C.—T. Searell, stroke W. D. Willcox, cox W. Johnston 0 The boats were started well together, and for some distance it was difficult to discern which was the foremost, but the Tamesis appeared to be well up. At half the distance the Cure came ont with a decided lead, the Kiwi following, with the Tamesis in attendance, the Sylph out of the race. This position remained unvaried till the finish, the Cure being easily rowed, and the Kiwi somewhat indifferently managed, the boat rolling and see-sawing very much at Lock's corner. Towards the finish the Kiwi came up to the Cure, but the latter proved too much of a racing craft for such company, and although there was some excitement raised by the quiet manner in which the Cure kept in front of the Kiwi, and a determined perseverance on tne part of the latter crew to pass, she came in a winner by two lengths, three lengths separating the Kiwi second, and Tamesis third. Tbe cheers on shore were very enthusiastic at the success of the local boat. Junior Pair-oared race; under twentyone years; distance, about one and a half miles; open to all members of clubs ; Ist prize, £3 ; 2nd prize, £1; entrance, 7s 6d Bylpb, C.B.C,—J t B. Lanauaej. stroke, A. A._*ooks; oox, O. Dixon I '•£.!>. CiT*_ Curev 0.8.C.—G. Gulliver; stroke, T, Keetley; cox, F. Weston 2 Kiwi, K.R. and S.C.—R. Day; stroke, F. Bmitb; cox, F.Day 0 Cam, C.R.C.—Scratched. The Sylph took took the lead, and was never passed, going ia a winner by two lengths. The Cure two or three times pressed on the Sylph, and also made it an exciting race for the post. The Kiwi kept well np throughout the race. Double -bcuLs in Stump Outriggers; distance, two miles; oval course; open to all comers; Ist prize, £5; 2nd prize, £2; 3rd prize, £1 : entrance, 10s; the 3rd prize to be awarded if six boats compete Moa, K.S. and R.C.—G. Wright; stroke, J. Perrin; cox, J. \yres 1 Weka, C.B.C—G. W. Wearing;stroke, J. J Winterboume; cox, F. Weston ... 0 Tui, O.R.O.—Scratched. The Weka went away with a lead for the first mile and half, including the time in the race, but in an exciting race for home was passed by the Moa, which won by about a length. Rob Roy Canoe race'; distance, one mile ; Ist prize, £5; 2nd prize, £1; entrance, 10s Kathleen (J. O. Jones) 1 Faugh-aballa (R. H. Matthews) 2 Rip Rap (J. Perrin) 0 Kathleen was paddled away at a smart pace, . and Jones came in winning as be liked. Faugh a-balla and Rip Rap raced hard with each other for second place, and the former, which was second throughout gaining i that position a few seconds after the Kathleen.

Tbe duck hunt and the contest for walking the greasy bowsprit were not carried out, being postponed probably till Saturday. The usual regatta ball was held at Wearing's Kaikanui Hotel in the evening, and was well attended. • *