The Hawke's Bay Herald. SATURDAY, NOV. 3, 1860. HAWKE'S BAY ANNIVERSARY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 4, Issue 163, 3 November 1860, Page 6

The Hawke's Bay Herald. SATURDAY, NOV. 3, 1860. HAWKE'S BAY ANNIVERSARY.

Thursday and Friday, the Ist and 2nd inst., having been set apart as public holidays in commemoration of the independent existence of Hawke's Bay, were devoted to such amusements as the limited means at command would permit, but these, we are happy to say, proved efficacious in affording two days of thorough, enjoyment to the sight-seeing folks of Napier. The weather was gloomy and threatening on both mornings, but as each day advanced the sun came forth as if in sympathy with the occasion, dispelling the overhanging clouds and imparting a genial warmth and cheerfulness to the scene of festivity. The first day (Thursday) was devoted to a REGATTA. This was rather a bold attempt for Napier, but it proved perfectly successful. The first race was for Four-oared Whale Boats for £8, entrance £1, second boat to save the entrance if more than two start, distance two miles, round a boat moored off the Bluff. Will-if-I-can (Sherley) 1 Separation (Mcßoberts) 2 Although only two started, these were good boats and with picked crews. Sherley's was all along the favorite, but it was expected that "Separation" would not yield the palm without a tussle. "Will if I can" took the lead and kept it, but the other crept up towards the end and the two came in with only a boat length betwixt them. The second race was for Two-oared Skiffs for £5, same conditions as first race, distance 1^ miles. Flower of Napie* (Lieut. Leonard) 1 Maid of Napier (Capt. Curling) ... 2 The state of the weather and the calmness of the water may be judged from the fact that these fragile boats pulled outside with perfect ease and safety. The distance was rapidly gone over, and the " Flower" came in a winner by several lengths. The next race was for Whaleboats, Prize £10, distance three miles, conditions the same as before. Separation (Mcßoberts) 1 Will-if-I-can (Sherley) 2 In this race Sherley's boat pulled only four oars against 5 of " Separation" — the committee having considered that the winner in the first race had too much advantage over his competitor. The tables in this case were turned, although " Separation" ' had "but little to boast of, having won by only two lengths. The fourth and last contest for the honours of the regatta was for Sailing Boats, entrance £1, second boat to save his stake, distance 7 miles, round Pania Rock and back to flagstaff. Prize £10. i Will-if-I-can (Sherley) 1 Two Chums (Dredge) v ... 2 , Witch of fehe Wave (Capt;. Carter) 3 This wasa splendidly contested race, as may "be gathered from the fact that the first boat accomplished the distance (working to windward the first half) in 1 hour 16 rains. ; the second in 1 hour 16 minutes, 30 sees. ; and the third in 1 hour, 17 minutes — just | a minute betwixt each ! A performance highly creditable -to the port and to all parties concerned. This ended the sports of the day — the programme, from the infancy of our town and the consequent scarcity of boats, haying been rather a meagre one. We feel assured, however, that next year's regatta •will tell a very different tale. A large number ■of spectators, probably from two to- three hundred, were collected on. the Spit and on the Bluff — the latter commanding a splendid bird's-eye view of the sports. , No accident or dispute occurred, and all seemed pleased with the diversions of the day. '„/ ■ [' ■ Friday was jdevoted to a different kind, Bat not ..less acceptable species of enter-

tainment — that which is usually, although not quite correctly, known as, RURAL S P O R T B,

These were determined by the committee (or rather by the small number who took any trouble in the matter) to be on the green in the front of the barrack-gate — partly because the situation was most eligible of any for the purpose ; but principally that, without the kind co-operation of the commanding officer of the detachment, it would have been utterly impossible to get them up at all. We need not say (for all Napier was there) that such co-operation was freely given, and that officer and private vied with each other in their exertions to give eclat to the sports. All the available music of the garrison was in attendance, and the arrangements (which were entirely in the hands of Seargeant Barker, Mr. Peakman, and others, and to whom all thanks are due) were of the most complete description — the flags indicating the course, the hurdles, the greasy pole, and. the frame for buns, having all been ready at an early "hour in the morning. The situation was charming — a soft velvet sward under foot, with a fine view of the harbour and bay — the gentle undulations of the green adding too to the picturesque effect, without impeding the motions of the games. The band was engaged in playing throughout the continuance of the sports, and numbers availed themselves of so good an opportunity to trip the light fantastic toe on the green. At 12 o'clock sharp, (Mr. M. Fitzgerald having kindly consented to act as judge and M*. Kennedy as starter), 6 or 7 athletic fellows went off for the Hurdle Race, once round, 6 leaps of 3 feet. Ist prize £2, 2nd £1. The men went at their work with spirit, and made small matter of the leaps. One or two falls elicited the laughter of the spectators. The Ist prize was taken by Llewelyn, closely pushed however by O'Brien, who took the second. A Blindfold Wheelbarrow Race followed. Prize £3, distance 100 yds. Out of four who started on their eccentric course, only one (Llewelyn) reached the goal. The others were nowhere — one having gone pell-mell down the hill towards Stewart's. The next event was. a Foot Race, twice round the course. Ist prize £2, 2nd prize £1. For thi3 there were four competitors, but one gave in at the second round. O'Brien was first ; JJcDonnell had the second place nearly the whole of the distance, but was passed by Llewelyn within a few yards of of the winning post. The feat of climbing the Greasy Pole was performed by a man named Connolly, by means of ropes, and the prize (a bottle of whisky and \ a sovereign) secured. To satisfy the juveniles, who were getting " peckish" under the healthful influence of pure and bracing air, the Bobbing for Buns was here introduced, and a great number of " young ideas" besmeared their faces with flour and treacle in the laughable process. Putting the Stone (Ist prize £1, 2nd 105.,) was next on the programme. Each man to have two throws and to count the aggregate. 9 threw, but only 4 came near the mark— H. L. Skeet, 43ft. 6|in. ; O'Brien, 42ft. llin. ; Llewellyn, 42ft. 3in. ; Minton, 41ft. 7gin. Mr. Skeet (the first civillian who had the pluck to enter) kindly gave the prize to the next best throw — the second prize devolving on the third. Unfortunately, a lad amongst the crowd was struck on the head by a throw of the stone, but we are glad tojearn that no injury has resulted. In the Sack Race (100 yards, Ist- prize £l, 2nd 10s.) there several falls, and much fan was created. Birch,._first j O'Brien, Becond. Standing Jttmps were the next order of the day—^"jumps each, and the total to. be counted. Llewelyn, 18 feet; Mr. SUeet, Mere, and O'Brien, 1 7£ feet. Mera and O'Briea jumped again for the second prize, and made 9 feet each. A third attempt resulted in $ feet 6 inches to Mera, and 9 feet 1 inch to O'Brien, and this well contested event was decided in Mera' 6 favour. The Pia with Geeased Tail (worth £1) made for a gully and was caught by. several at once. Two men (civilians) disputed the prize and had a Btand-up fight for it j but during the confusion attending the "mill," some one else dexterously made off with the gronter. The next was a Foor Race, same .as No. 3, well contested, and. won by Llewelyn— O'Brien, seoond. Several townsmen competed, and one (Mr. Parker) kept ihe second place for the greater part of the distance. Mr. Skeet headed the runners at starting, but mistook the flags. : Another Htjbdbk Rack formed No. 11 on tbe programme. ■ Six ran. Mr. Skeet won easily, Llewelyn Becondj and O'Brien, we believe, third.

As before, the prize whb waived by Mr. Skeet in favor of the second in. Two extempore Foot Races for a short distance followed. Both were well contested. The first was won by Mr. H. Parker — Mr. Harris second j the next by Mr. Harris — Mr. King Becond, Leap Fsog, or Fxy the Gabteb, to commence at 6 feet, was the last on the list. First prize £1 ; second, 10s. Llewelyn went over at 9 feet and Mera at 7% — these two taking the prizes. This terminated the proceedings, although the dancing was very reluctantly given up. The band played "God Save the Queen," in which many voices joined ; and after three hearty cheers for the Anniversary of Hawke's Bay the multitude dispersed — well pleased with the day's recreation, and prepared, we trust, to give their mite towards the expense incurred. The tradesmen's ball came off in the evening, in the Council Chamber. Our avocation precluded the possibility of our being present, but we believe it came off successfully.