PORT CHALMERS REGATTA.

Evening Star, Issue 21960, 21 February 1935, Page 8

PORT CHALMERS REGATTA.

The instinct for regattas is constant in our British race. Whenever they get to a new country they begin the settling process by some sorb of thanksgiving service, then hold a meeting to found a scheme of government, and in many instances the holding of a regatta is in the forefront of the community doings. So it was in the early days of the Otago Settlement. The pioneers of that scheme arrived in 1848, and within a few months of their landing they were busy organising the regatta that was held at Dunedin exactly a year after the John Wickliffe cast anchor. The programme of that regatta consisted of rowing races. A month later the first regatta was held at Port Chalmers. It was for sailing as well as rowing. For a dozen years or more the public interest thus kindled was kept alive spasmodically but earnestly, and in 1862 a properly organised regatta committee took over control, thus systematising the sport and making the Port Chalmers regatta a fixed event of consequence in the history of the settlement, promoted by men whose names commanded respect and gave an assurance of fair play, and partaken in by competitors who proceeded from their victories at Port Chalmers to more important successes in dominion championships. The Port has always been able to produce a worthy senior fours, and experience in sailing on the Lower Harbour, under varying conditions that

served to try the men us well as the yachts, has helped to maintain the prestige of Otago when it sent its selected craft to other ports. The history of Fort Chain* rs regattas, now being reprinted by various writers in anticipation of the one immediately in front of us, may be perused with pride by persons who directly participate and by others who merely look on by reason of the ineradicable interest of Britishers in such sport. Occasional disputes over the results need not be bewailed. They arise here and in other places not from a 'desire for money gain, but from explosive enthusiasm. One such happening comes to mind in writing. Palamountain, a champion at dinghy rowing, won, many years ago, rather easily and was officially awarded the prize in spite of a protest that he had rounded the turn boat on the wrong side. The committee over-ruled the protest, which, however, was persevered with in a Supreme Court action, the official finding being upheld by Judge Williams, who relied on the evidence of the ‘ Star ’ reporter, the only occupant of the turn boat whilst that race was on, to the effect that Palamountain kept to the proper course. Occurrences of that nature are always possible, but they do not and cannot cloud the belief that the Port Chalmers regattas are well managed and competed for in a friendly spirit. There is every reason to expect that such will be the experience the day after to-morrow. There is no better sheet of water in New Zealand for a mixed regatta; there is no more capable committee in any place; and everything in connection with the preliminaries points to an enjoyalile outing for those who make this regatta their day's engagement.