WELLINGTON ANNIVERSARY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9943, 24 January 1898, Page 5

WELLINGTON ANNIVERSARY.

(MUSS ASSOCIATION TKLEGRAM.)

WELLINGTON, January 22. This being Anniversary Day a close holiday was observed in the city. The early trains took large numbers of people to the country. The principal attractions were Cup Day at the Hutt, the New Zealand Natives' Association sports on tho Basin Reserve, the Swimming Club's carnival, and the Port Nicholson Yacht Club's sailing regatta.

The Natives' Association's combined sports and cycling meetingbegan at 11 a.m. A strong wind was blowing, and the course was rough. Patrick won the 100 yards race from scratch in 10§sec, Rintoul, 7__ec, 2; Clarke, 2_sec, 3. There waa not a yard between the three.' Larke won his heat in the half-mile cash cycling event, but could only get third in the final, which was won by Grace from 45yds, Kennett 60yds, second; time,lmin 7giec. Theamateur half-mile was won by Bell, 65yds ; Watson 70yd8, secoiid, Lloyd 55yds, third ; time, 17_eec. The half-mile flat was won by Pollock, tho limit man (50yds), Henderson (_oyds) second, Meredith (20yds) third. The mile first class cash cycling handicap was won by Barker (scratch), Lyon (50yds) second, Archer (70yds) third. It was ridden in the rain, and the grass was dangerously greasy. Hendry would have been second, but skidded and fell. A strong wind sprang up in the morning, increasing to a gale, ana at midday brought with it drizzling rain, which put an end to the sports, greatly interfered with tho regatta, and must have made picnickers very unhappy. The rain did not continue long, but was just enough to spoil the day without doing any good to the ground. Very large fields entered for nearly all the events, attracted by the handsome prizes, amounting to £183, being the largest amount ever given in one day in the colony. Forbes, Hunt, and Roynolda, who entered, have not come from Australia. In consequence of frequent atatementa as to the course being short, it was measured after the final postponement, and found to be no leaa than niuety-six yards in a mile too little, which makes all the times recorded valueless. As it has been carefully gone over previously with a tape twice and fonnd correct, it* is believed that someone must have purposely shifted the pegs. Their ill luck with the weather must be a great disappointment to the Association, who had gone to great trouble and expense over this, the most heavily endowed meeting yet offered to athletes, especially as everythisg was going splendidly till the rain came on.

The swimming races also were put off indefinitely on account of the weather. January 23.

The anniversary regatta on Saturday wae carried out on different lines from those on which every previous regatta was conducted. The public were not asked to subsoribe, the whole of the funds being provided by members of Port Nicholson Yacht Club, and the courses were shortened so as to allow of morning and afternoon races for each of three c___**f of yAchts. The Waitangi and Ngaire were the only starters in the first-class, and the former won the first race by three minutes, and will take £10. She also finished first in the second race, but as the Ngaire did not come inside the starting line before going on her course the officials declared "no race." The rules stipulate that unless two boats start there will be no prize. The Atalanta won the two races for second-class yachts, and the Taipari annexed both the third-class yacht races. The Novice won the handicap yacht races. The wind, which was from nor'west, blew very heavily in the afternoon. One yacht was dismasted, and several others were obliged to give up owing to their gear and spars carrying away. The postponed events in the New Zealand Natives' Association sports will be got off next Saturday afternoon.