PORT CHALMERS REGATTA

Evening Star, Issue 13004, 26 December 1906, Page 4

PORT CHALMERS REGATTA

Port Chalmers, "where the regattas come from," had a damper ■throwji on it by the soaking downpour which commenced at ten o'clock. The train leaving Dunedin about that hour steamed out with a full complement of passengers, but after that thero was a disposition on the part of Dunedin people to hang back until it could be ascertained what sort of weather was really "on." This declared itself towards noon— a, clear sky overhead and sun, but strong breezes for the sailing events, wad very rough water for the sailing events, whose prowess was to bo decided by the oar. During the forenoon the Regatta Committee met and decided to put off the opening race till twelve o'clock. At that time it was very doubtful whether the state of the water in the lower harbor would permit some of the rowing events being held, but it was subsequently decided to commence these about three o'clock. ' In the First Class Yacht Ra<:e the entries were good, and included the latest-built Tucana and Waimana, built by Mr J. M'Pherson, of Dunedin, and Matua, built by an Auckland firm. Judging by the heavy weather in the morning the " knowing ones" favored the chances of the valiant old Leader, subject, of course, to such conditions as tho handicapper might see fit to impose. It was her weather, they said, though doubt was expressed as to whether the tide might or might not beat her. Tucana's chances were also in high favor, as also were Waimana's. In the Second Glass Yacht Bace it was thought that the wind would favor the little Vagabond, but she did not start. May was fancied among the third class yachts. None of the yachts carried spinnakers, and all sailed reefed down. All the motor events drew good entries, as was naturally to bo expected in a harbor where, among the fishermen, the oar and sail are going out more and more and the motor

coming in. The Handicap Motor Boat Race, nine miles distance, brought quite a collection- of rival engines to tne post, and expert judgment was strongly in favor of Standard, which, after some more or Jess unsuccessful bids for fame in Sydney, appears to have finally made up her mind to stand by OUgo Harbor. As regards oarmanship, most of the . interest centred round the Senior Fours, in which the redoubtable representatives of the Port Chalmers Rowing Club were decided favorites. The Senior Pairs, in which the ex-champion Wright and Donald M'Donaid appeared, ■was regarded as the next most not-able event on the programme. The Aotea wns flagship, but, during the morning, application was made to the eaptains of the Drayton Grange and Sussex to take visitors on their steamers —an application which, though made at the eleventh hour by a prominent member of the Regatta Committee, was Teadily granted. The Mornington Band was on the flugship, and enlivened the proceedings with selections. Following are the results up to the time of going to press:

FIRST CLASS YACHT RACE.—-Wai-mana (4min) 1, Annis (7min) 2, Tucana (scratch) 3. Thelma (6min), Matua (6min), and Leader (smin) also started. Tucana extinguished her chance'by being piled up twice. Leader retired. Wnimana sailed a splendid race, and maintained the leading position right through. _^____^____