THE COASTERS' RACE.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 19, 25 January 1881, Page 3

THE COASTERS' RACE.

TO THE EDITOR OP THB EVENING POST. Sir— Wo, the undersigned, wish to correct some opinions that have got about amongst the public re the coasters' race in the Regatta on Anniversary Day. The mistake which has occurred, and thrown so many boats in this race, as well as in other sailing races, out of their course, is in the placing of the buoys up at Petoni. The committee distinctly told us that tho boats at each extremity of our course would bo tho cutters Maori and Hope. The Maori was placed at the Pilot Station (and not in any doubtful position), and the Hope was placed up to the northward of the harbor, or to the west of Somes Island, but here the mistake ocourred, for when the committee laid down the buoys, the Hope should have been placed where the smaller boat was, or a mile or thereabouts further to windward than she was placed. Had the Hope, which was the^ largest vessel, been placed in her proper position, at the extremity of our course, no mistake could possibly have arißen, for tho committee told us, and such they said were their orders to Pilot Simß to place the Hope the most conspicuous object furthest to windward. In fact, the smaller boat could not be seen at all by anyone,, with the exception of those on board the Star of the Sea, and they only by a most fortunate chance. It will therefore be seen that we are not to blame, but either those who placed the bnoys, or those who, gave the instructions and placed the wrong buoys in the wrong places and thus spoiled a splendid Regatta, which it must undoubtedly have been, but as it was, with the exception of a few pulling races, there was no Regatta whatever. In conclusion, we beg to suggest to the committee that in future Regattas the sailing races should be round Somes Island, and dispense with buoys altogether, and in suoh case there could be no possible mistake. We are, Ac, W. Callow, Master Saucy Lass ; A. M'Clymont, Master Cutty Sark ; Joseph Bradlt, Master Fleetwing ; W. Wars, Master Elizabeth Conway. Wellington, 25th January.