ANNIVERSARY DAY.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 18, 24 January 1881, Page 2

ANNIVERSARY DAY.

♦ Tho 41st anniversary of the colony of New Zealand wa3 celebrated on Saturday under as favorable auspices, so far as the weather was concerned, as» could possibly have been desired. Captain Edwin's forecast was fulfilled to the letter. The fierce gale of the previous day had completely passed off, and in its stead there was a cloudless sky, brilliant sunshine, and a delightful breeze to moderate the heat. The natural result was a general exodus of the town population in every direction suitable for out-door holiday making. All the suburban localities had their share of picnic parties and other al fresco festivities, and probably there has never been a more thoroughly unanimous "tarn out" of the citizens than on this occasion. The three favorite openings for amxisement, however, seemed to be the Wellington Regatta, the Druids' Fete at tho Hutt, and the Wairarapa excursions, all of which are referred to in their due places, but the name was legion of those who did not patronise any of theso things, but rode, or drove, or boated, or picnicked on their own account. Tho whole day in short was thoroughly enjoyable and enjoyed. THE REGATTA. Large numbers of people found their way to the Queen's Wharf on Anniversary Day in order to witness (he annual regatta. In honor of this event, most of the vessels in pert were gaily decorated with bunting. The harbor, in fact, presented quite a gala appearance, the surface of the rippling water being dotted w.th numberless boats, representing almost every variety of craft. Anchored a Bhort distanco from the wharf was the flag-ship Ploione, to which the steam-launch Waiwera convoyed passengers at fixed intervals during tho progress of the numerous events. In the morning the Guards' Band took up their stand at the end of the wharf, but were removed to the flagship in the afternoon. Tho first event was got off within a quarter of an hour of the appointed time, but owing to a variety of circumstances it was found impossible to adhere rigidly to the original programme, and thus considerable confusion was created. Lack of space prevents us from giving more than a very brief outline of the different events. Sailing Boats (open to all comers) ; length of keel not to exceed 19ft ; distance, 10 miles. First prize, .£lO and cup; second, .£s.— Antarea, 1 ; Ida, 2. The Antarea took the lead from the start, and was never approached by her four rivals, viz., the Pearl, Bonito, Ida, and Imp. First-class Yachts' Raco; distance, 36 miles (originally agreed to be 20 miles). First prize, .£4O and cup ; second, .£ls. — Xarifa, 1. The other starters were the Ariel, Florence, Thetis, Contrabandiere, and Templar. The Lily declined to try oonolusions. The Pet got tie best of the start, and came in first, the Florenoo following GJmin. behind. The Xarifa was nearly 40 minutes behind the leader, and iabsoquently entered a protest against the other oompetitors for not having kept to the proper course. The protest was considered by the committee in due course, by whom it was upheld. Coasters' Race; dißtanoo, 36 miles. First prize, and cup ; second, .£2o— Star of the Sea, 1. Five started, the others being the Fleetwing, Elizabeth Conway, Saucy Lass, and Cutty Sark. The signal for the start was given at 11.33 a.m. With the exception of the Star of the* Sea, the competitors mistook the proper course, and a protest similar to the one previously mentioned being uphold. The boaster just named was allowed the first prizo, though coming in last. Tho Fleotwing arrived homo at 20 minutes past 4 o'clock, the Saucy Lass coming in second 4mins Msecs afterwards. Chips' Gigs; distance 2V2 V miles, First prize £1 10a— Hurunui ; second £i, Antaros. No feature of special interoßt was connected with this contest, for which there were only two entries. Whaleboat Gigs ; distance 3 miles ; circular course, to be steered by bonafi.de Bteor oar. First prize <Sls— Whoel of Fortune; socond £1, Arawata. There were two other entries, viz., the Anonyma and Titokawaru, but the former did not start, and tho latter was out of the race altogether. Second-class Yachts ; distance 10 miles. First prize .£ls and cvp — Bed Jacket ; second £5, Minneaha. The Pot and Bonita wero scratched. The other startors woro tho Ino, Flirt, Tartar, Ooeola, and Spray. Tho lied Jacket managed to snatch a splendid lead, and kept ahead of her rivals till the end. Rob Roy Canoes ; distance, 1 mile ; circular course. First prize, Mr. Levin's paddle ; second, £1. — The oontest resultod in a tie between Symons and Byrne, who will compete for priority on Saturday next. Volunteer Whaleboat Gigs ; distance, 3 miles ; circular course, to be steered by bona fide steer-oar. — First prizo, J>lo, Wheel of Fortune ; second, £b, Arawata. It soon appeared evident that the contost lay between the Wheel of Fortune, manned by a crow representing the Artillery, and the Arawata, containing Naval s. Tho Arawata crew pulled very pluokily indeed, but owing to tho shortness of the boat as compared with the length of tho Wheel of Fortune, their gallant efforts failed to obtain for them the first place. Four-oared Inrigged Gigs ; distance, 3 miles.— First prize, -Pl 2 10s in plate, Rover; second, £5 in plate, Maud. Tho only other starter was tho Meteor, which, howovor, got swamped, and tho crew wero rescued by the steam-launch Te Aro, which happened to be in tho neighborhood of the accident at the time. Greasy Pole. — There were eleven entries. Dixon and Johnson made five points eaoh, and the prize-money was divided equally between them. A meeting of the Regatta Committee was held at the Pier Hotel on Saturday night, for the purpose of considering the protests which had been lodged in the first class yaohts' and coasters' races, and also to discuss other matters. A good deal of evidence having been taken respecting tho coasters' race, it was resolved that as the Star of tho Sea was tho only vessel which followed the proper coursoj she was entitled to the prize. A similar decision was arrived at in regard to the Xariffa, for tho first class yachts' prize, and none of the other boats having adhered to the right track, it was, of course, decided that no second prizos should be awarded in theso two events. Another meeting of the committee was held this morning in consequence) of the receipt by Mr. W. R. Waters, secretary, of a letter from Mr. Forwood, who, on behalf of Captain Bradley, claimed the prize-money and trophy in the coasters' race for the Fleotwing. Mr. Forwood wrote that, in case the claim was not complied with, legal proceedings to recover the prizo would probably be instituted. After a good deal of discussion, the committee resolved to confirm the decision arrive! at on Saturday, arid instructed tho secretary to inform Mr. Forwood of their determination to resist any claim of this kind. There aro several evonta still undisposed of, and those will come off next Saturday afternoon, commencing at 2 o'clock, should the weather prove favorable. It has been arranged that a gun shall be fired from the ship Hurnnui at 1 o'clock on that day as a signal that the contests will be commenced an hour afterwards. The raced, 'which include the scullers', junior four-oar inrigged gigs', and the model yachts' races, will be started by Messrs. Hayes and Knapp, members of the Star Boating Club. DRUIDS* FETE AT THE HTJTT. Tho Druids may be complimented on, the success which attended their fete" at the Hutt on Saturday. The Wellington mo'ubors", clad in full regalia, marched in procession to the railway station, where a special train was waiting to convey them ani their frietids to the Hutt. The sports were held in a paddock adjoining M'Nab's Gardens, which are just now looking at their beat The Hutt Brass Band was present, and, with dancing and other amusements, the day passed off very successfully. Refreshments wero provided by Mr. Boonstra, of the Karori Hotel. ]fc should be mentioned that Messrs. T. G. Boon and W. M'Lean acted as judges, and Past Arch Druid Bishop as starter for the various races. Mr. Howden, the secretary, also worked hard to secure the success of the gathering. Following are the results' of the various events : — Amatonr Raco, 200 yd s; eight entries. Prizes : 20s, 10s, and 5s. — Ryan, 1 ; Brown, 2; Dean, 3. Onj Mile Handicap Walking Match. Prizes : 20a, 10s, and ss.— A. Zesch, 1 ; T. M'Gec, 2 ; J. Parker, 3. T. Judd and J. Dean also started; Zesch at scratch; the remainder loOjrds start. Boys' Race (under 14). 100 yds. —D. T. Young, 1 ; W. Bannigan, 2 ; W. Dalton, 3. Six others started. Prizes ; 10s, ss. and 3s. Sack Rac9, looyds.— A. Zrsch, 1 ; T. Area, 2 ; W. Bennett, 3. Six others entered. Prizes : 10*, sa, and 2a 6d. Friendly Societies' Handicap,,, 44Qyda. Prizes : 303, 20s. and 10s.— C. Cndby^lßyds, (Druid), 1 ; W. Bennett, scratch (Odd" Fellow), 2 ; F. E. Liardet, 6yds (Druid), 3. G. Hooper, 20yds (Druid), and T. Judd, 25yd» (Druid), also started. There were five entries for the pig hu'.t, which caused roars of laughter. Zesch was the aucc.ssful competitor. Three-legged Race ; cix entries.— T. Area and J. Ewart-, 1 ; A. Gore and H. Gate, 2. Prizos, 20s and 10a. ' '" ' In th? tng of war (prize, £2 2s) the following competed :— Town team: T. Boon (captain), J. L. Brunn, Holmes, Gosling, W. Gosling, and Brown ; Country team : C. Avery (captain), W. Ebden, W. Welch, C. Ruseell, S. Mason, A. Bush. Tha country team proved too strong for their opponents, and won easily. THE BAILWAT BXCT7BBIOK. The railway authorities had their hands full ail day and along the whole length of the line. First, there was the special excursion train from Masterton to Wellington at 6am, which brought in & large number of country visitors to the Regatta. Then followed a second train from Masterton at 8 a.m., also well filled. At 8 a.m. the special

excursion train left Wellington for Masterton, running through to Petoni without stopping, but calling at every little wayside platform beyond that point. The train conBisted of ten crowded carriages, which were taken by ono engine to Upper Hutt, where a Becond came on to help up the '" bank," and afterwards two engines were kept on the train all the way to Masterton. This enabled some of the time lost in tho innumerable stoppages to be made up, and Masterton was reached only a few minutes late, the journey being completed in just fonr hours, a late start having been made from Wellington. But in addition to the main line trains there were numbers of short excursions, viz., Wellington to Lower Hutt, Greytown and Featherston to Pigeon Bush, and Masterton to Taratahi racecourse, all convoying many passengers, and making extensive demand on the rolling-stock. However, Mr. Ashcroft and his subordinates did their best with the limited appliances at disposal, although there was the usual amount of inevitable grumbling. The only legitimate ground of complaint, so far as we can learn, was the treatment of the excursionists who came in by the early train from Wairarapa this morning, being induced to make the trip by the advertised promise that they should reach town by 9.30 a.m. This could easily have been done, as was shown on the 3rd instant, when a similar train reached Wellington with ease in 3 hours 12 minutes. On this occasion, however, 17 loaded goods waggons were taken on at Upper Hutt, and every station (excepting Kaiwarra) being stopped at, Wellington was not reached until 10 o clock was striking. This occasioned serious inconvenience to many people, and was quite inexcusable on the part of whomever was responsible for the breach of faith with the public. The other arrangements were bo good it is a pity such a needless muddle should have occurred in this instance.