THE REGATTA.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7232, 18 December 1888, Page 6

THE REGATTA.

Commodore, Mr W. B. Tosewill. Judges Messrs McGregor, M.H.It., W. Macefleld, W. Walton, W. H. Hargreaves, and Wm. Birdling. senr. Starter, Mr J. O. Jones. Time-keepera and Signalmen, Messrs V. Macefleld, H. Aylmer, and Harcourt lice. Hon. Sec Mr H. C. Jacobeon.

The excursionists who patronised the Akaroa trip yesterday experienced a pleasant surprise in the shape of what tamed out, in spite of the gloomy morning, to be a very fine day. When the excursion train got to Lyttelton, at eight o'clock, the outlook was anything but promising, for the hills were wreathed in heavy mist and there was a persistency about the rain, though it was very gentle, that looked rather threatening. Only to the South was there a suggestion of blue sky, and from this quarter eventually came ttie breeze which was to blow away the lowering clouds. A start was mad c at about a quarter to nine, when, with about 350 people on board, the fine steamer Wakatipu, under the genial command of Captain Wheeler, turned her head towards Akaroa. The dull weather had prevented many of those who had bought tickets on Saturday from coming, bufr the steamer was nicely filled. The harbor, nearly as far as the heads, was as smooth as possible, but as the open sea was approached the remains of the gale which blew itself out on Saturday and Sunday, Were met in the shape of a heavy swell, which produced, on those who were not accustomed to it, an unpleasant feeling of having left a large part of themselves somewhere about the level of the main yard. The motion increased, and within an hour of leaving the wharf a stiff breeze was blowing, raising the. " white caps," and accompanied now and then by a squall of rain. The latter soon ceased, but the wind continued for the rest of the outward journey and until late in the afternoon, inducing more or less discomfort to a good number. Akaroa was reached about a quarter to one with the snn shining brightly. The harbor, dotted here and there with the white sails of yachts, presumably doing preliminary canters, looked unusually pretty, and while on disembarking, a good many adjourned to the bush and hills for the acquisition of flowers, ferns, and supple-jacks, a large number stayed on or near the wharf, from which a good view ol the various races could be had. The E. U. Cameron had been turned into a flag-ship and on her were the various officials, the starter, Mr J. O. Jones, being In command of a craft of his own, manned by a crew from the Canterbury Rowing Club, who certainly did a large amount of work in the day, and must have travelled a good many miles by the time they finished. The good intentions of the Regatta Committee in providing a good programme were unfortunately somewhat spoiled by the very fresh sou-wester which blew "during the afternoon, and raised such a jobble that it was deemed advisable to postpone the races in which the Christchnrch Clubs had entered, and for which light boats were of course used, until later on in the afternoon. Consequently there were laree intervals during which nothing was being done, and it was not until the steamer was about to leave that the first race in stumps—the Senior Double Sculls —was rowed. But if the wind was too strong for rowing, it was just the thing for yachting, and some very good sailing was to be seen. The yacht race open to all comers naturally excited the greatest interest, all the boats engaged being well' known. The sight as, on the st&rter's gun being fired, they shook out their sails and one by one got away, was a very pretty one, and as they sped away to the other side of the harbor there was a general rushing to coigns of vantage from which the course could be seen. The result of the race cannot but.be gratifying to Mr Black, and Akaroa people in general, for he has had rather a long line of reverses, and has always sailed his boat and taken his defeat pluckily and in the true sportsman's spirit. A loud burst of cheering greeted the Mahanga's

win, which was repeated again and agan as she dropped to her moorings, and test ified the popularity of tne win. The result of the Senior Double Sculls was a surprise to most people, for it was known that the two men had not been pulling together much more than a fortnight. They rowed well, however, and their better acquaintance with roughish water, doubtless, stood them in good stead. Numerous whistles about half past four warned intending passengers by the Wakatipu to come on board, and a start was made for Lyttelton at about a quarter to five. The voyage back was a most delightful one, for after about half an hour of heavy rollers outside Akaroa Heads, the sea became very calm, and the wind died away almost entirely. Lyttelton was safely reached, all too soon, at a quarter to nine, so that everybody was enabled to catch the nine o'clock train to town. The Stanmore Band played a number ot selections very well, both on the trip there and back," and also at Akaroa, and Captain Wheeler and the officers and stewards of the ship did all in their power to make the passengers comfortable, while our best thanks are due to the several officials connected with the regatta, who supplied all the information that was necessary, and looked after the comfort of the visitors with great hospitality.

Pair-oar Race, to be rowed in dingies with square sterns tinder 2ult. < ipen to all Peninsula residents. First prize, £o; seconi prize, £1. Just-in-Time— J. Xewbegin (bow), S. Kingston (stroke) .. .. .. .. 1 Foam— J. Giynan (bow). \V. Glynm (stroke! 2 Kushing Water—H. Hewer (bow), C. Pools (stroke) .. .. .. .. .. 3

A good race, which resulted in favor of the Just-in-Time by barely two lengths. Sailin* Race for decked or half - decked boats, 5 tons or under. Fir3t prize, £12 and Cup ; second prize, £3. .No time allowance. Torpedo—W'm. Sinclair .. .. .. 1 Wave—W. B. Tosswill .. .. ..2 Emu—F. Scott .. .. .. ..3 A splendid start was effected, all the boats (retting well away together. Wave rounded Red House buoy, but Torpedo beat her in running across to Waiuui and was first past Island buoy by 4secs. Coming down from Wainui to Tikao, Wave, admirably sailed by Mr Tosswill, regained position and was leading by two lengths otf Tikao buoy. In running back, however, Torpedo was too much for her, and won a fine race by osec; Emu a long way off last. Pair-oar Dingy Race, for youths under eighteen, i< irjt prize, £1; second prize, £1. Waiwera—J. Moeraki (bow), T. Hokianga (stroke) .. .. .. .. i Foam—F. Perham (bow). T. Perham (stroke) « The Maoris gradually increased their lead, and putting on a spurt at the finish won easily. Yacht Race, open to all comers. First t>rtee, £30: second prize, £5. All yachts under 10 tons to be classed as 10-tonners, and no time allowance between yachts 10 tons and under. Mahanga (10 tons). Black .. .. .. 1 Pastime (7 tons), M. Millar .. .. ..2 Fleetwing (10 tons), R. Scott.. .. .. 3 Little Wonder (i 0 tons), J.Sinclair. .. i Zephyr (7 tons), T. S. Baker .. .. ..5 The yachts were dispatched at 1.20 p.m. to a somewhat indifferent start, the fleet appearing to be rather close to each other. Pastime was first away, followed by Mahanga, Little Wonder, Zephyr and Fleetwing, in the order named. A fine breeze was blowing strongly from the south-west, and all made good time to the Red House buoy, which Mahanga rounded first, followed br Pastime. By the time the boats reached the flagship, at the conclusion of the first round, both the Mahanga and Pastime had carried away their topmasts, the breeze having freshened. The Fleetwing had shaken out a reef in her mainsail, and had improved her position, having got into third place. The times at which the boats rounded the flagship for the first time were as follows ;— _, . hremin sec Mahanga .. .. 2 20 0 Pastime .. .. ..2 22 io Fleet wing .. . 2 23 5 Little Wonder .. .. 2 23 18 Zephyr .. .. .. z 32 0 The second round was uneventful, the same order bein ; maintained throughout, and it was evident that it was only a question of how raach the Akaroa boat would win by. She rounded the Wainui omiii osec ahead of her nearest opponent. Pastime, and making use of every inch of canvas set increased her lead, eventually passing the winning buoy 9min in front of the second, amid.great enthusiasm. Time for the full course, lh 56min 33sec. Times of the various "boats completing the course:— ~ , hr mm sac Mahanga .. . 3 16 35 Pastime 3 25 43 Fleetwing .. , 3 27 10 Little Wonder .. .. 3 32 0 Zephyr .. .. .. 3 65 2 Docble-Scuixijjg Rack in stump outriggers First prize, £12; second prize, £3. Takapuna, L.R.C.—J. Donovan (bow), G. Graham (siroke), C. Fleming (cox) 1 Clio, U.R.C.—R. Ledsham (bow), F. Foster (stroke), T. Blakeiey <cox) T 2 D& y < bow >. G - Wright (stroke), W.Keetley (cox) .. .. .. 3 The three boats kept alongside each other nearly to nhe flagship, when it was seen that Lyttelton, who were rowing very strongly, had a slight advantage. This they maintained all through, and finally won by a length from the Union crew, Cure not far away.

Sailing Race for ODen boats, -without centre! boards, 20ft keel and under. False kee 1 allowed. First prize, £6; second prize £2. Dove— (J. Newbeein) ... i Draga (A. Mahovich), Forlorn Hope" (J. Staples), Paul Pry (P. Glynan), Wallaby (J. Huston), and Annie (W. Stewart) also started. Double Sculunq Race, for youths under 2l> First prize, £5; second prize £1. Kea, C.R.U.—F. flobbs (bow;, J. Y. V. Daly (stroke) .. .... . i Clio, U.K.C.— J. T. Ho well (bow), J. A. Hyndman (stroke) .... 2 Meteor, A.R.C.—F. J. Rowley (bow), fI Stevenson (stroke) .. .. .. ..3 Pair-oar Rack, in stump outriggers. First prize, £12; second, £3. Toi Toi, C.B.C.—R. Day (bow), G. Wright (stroke) .. .. .. .. l Clio. U.K.C.—C. J. Atkinson (bow), F. Foster (stroke) .. .. .. .. ..2 These were the only crews that started. The race was won easily. The Centre-board Sailing Race, in open boats, for which the first prize was £6 and the second £2, was won by Madge, Faugh-a-Ballagh being second.