WELLINGTON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XV, Issue 860, 6 February 1861, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

OELKBItATION OF THE TWENTY-FIKST

-■.;■:..y ANNIVERBABVi .;.'■-•.''■/■'.-'■.•.':'.-. (From tho ' Independent,' January 25.)

TUTS BKGATTA.

As In'the last few previous years, the getting up of 'sports' in celebration of the anniversary of tho foundation of this settlement was delayod until tlie eleventh hour, and we question much, if it had not been for tho exortions of it. few public : spirited individuals, whether there would have been any sports at all on this occasion. We regret this the more because, independent 6f the amusomont afforded to the lookers-on, aquatic spoi ts might be turned to advantage, if only rightly directed. Of course wo do not expect to witness the gay spectacles that take place at Venice when the gondoliers specially exhibit the superiority of their art, nor any such noble contests between splendid craft such as are exhibited on the Thames; yet we-think'that such a series of sports:as is befitting a seaport town of Wellington's importance ought always to be got up. We shbilld be glad' to" see the youth of the place take the matter in hand/as rowing is a most healthy exorcise, and, in conjunction with cricket, and other manly and athletic games, largely increases the muscular power, and develops the physical man. To command success, however, we must have the sinews of war. The prizes should he large enough to: induce persons to build boats to compete for them, and due notice should be given when they should be contested for. If a responsible committee of gentlemen who patronise these sports were to announce the value of the prizes, and guarantee that they should be contested for at a given time, persons would'be induced to build boats that wouldbe at once fast, safe, and suitable to their ■port, and teach our youth to become expert in the management/ We are necessarily a maritime people, and should therefore endeavour to excel upon the water. England's marine is largely indebted to private enterprise and to the patronage of those who are wealthy enough to own yachts, and a similar hardy race of men to those found along, her coasts ought and will in time be found around those of New Zealand. The formation of an Aquati o Club would do much to forward this desirable object. ' Tuesday last was delightfully fine ; the light breeze from the N.W., being just sufficient to allow the various craft to carry all sail, was all that could be desired for the sailing matches. The various ship's in harbour were gaily decked with the flags of all nations, as were the flagstaff's on shore, among which latter, the staff at the Government House,' Mr. Rotermund's, Mr. Mansill's, and Capt. Leslie's were the most conspicuous. As on former occasions, the head of the bay was the place where people most numerously congregated. The arrangements, 'considering the hurried manner in which the sports were got up, were most creditable to all concerned. G. Hunter, Esq., and Capt. Wilson were particularly active, and the public are largely indebted to these gentlemen, in conjunction with the treasurer, Mr. R. Wpodgate, and the committee, for the successful manner in which the whole affair was conducted. Capt. Wilson acted as starter and judge, and did his duty efficiently and to the satisfaction of all concerned. It was a pleasing feature in the affair that Capt. Wilson should be called upon: to preside at the 21st anniversaiy of this settlement, that gentleman having arrived in the ship Tory, previous-to the arrival of the first immigrants in the Aurora; and that he should take part in the festivities of the occasion. About eleven o'clock, the preparation gun was fired, and shortly afterwards, the respective boats took up their positions opposite Bethune and Hunter's wharf.

Fihst Race.-—Whale boat race, 5 oars. Entrance 10s. 6d. First prize, £8, second ditto, £4. Course I —From abreast Messrs. Bethune and Hunter's wharf, to pass; between the" schooner Pilot and the ship Wild Duck, from thence round the flag boats, | and back to the wharf. The following boats were entered to contest for the prize .—Mr. Hunter's Lord Duncan, 1• Mr. Owen's Radical, 2; Captain Cator's Fawn, 3. On the second gun firing, off the boats dashed at a splitting rate, but the Lord 'Duncan soon took the lead, closely followed by the Radical and Fawn. The boats kept the same relative positions all the way round, only increasing the distance between each other as the race proceeded. The crew of the Radical appeared too light for their boat; and the long steady man-of-war pull with no backer-up in the Fawn, had small chance.with the smart stroke, and efficient backing up of the Lord Duncan, which came in ah easy winner. Distance, between four and five miles. Time, 35 minutes 30 seconds.

Second. Race.—For four-oared gigs. Entrance 10s. 6d. First prize, £7 ; second ditto, £3. Course same as the last. '.'•The following boats were entered :—Captain Bishop's Wild Duck, 1; Mr. Owen's Undine, 2; Mr. Hickson's Waterwitcli, 3; Captain Mundle's New Chum, 4. The boats got away well together, the Waterwitch, after a few strokes, taking the lead, closely followed by the Undine arid New Chum; the Wild Duck bringing rip the rear. The boats kept the same relative positions, only increasing the distance very considerably between each other, until rounding the flag boat of Evans' Bay point. At this time the Waterwitch had the race all her own way, being a considerable distance ahead, the New Chum second, the Undine third, and the Duck last. On rounding the buoy boat, the Wild Duck gained very fast upon her competitors, soon came up, passed them one by one, and ultimately took the lead. The Undine also came up, and passed the Waterwitch, taking the second position. A very exciting race then ensued between the Wild Duck and the Undine, the crews in both boats apparently exerting themselves to the utmost. The Wild Duck, however, kept the lead to the winning post, beating the Undine by 7 seconds. This was the most closely-contested race of the day; and caused considerable excitement. Time, 37 minutes. There were only 42 seconds between the first and last boat. The Waterwitch was the favorite at starting, having carried off the prize last year; and some money changed hands on the event. The crews of the Waterwitch and Uridine had pulled in the previous boats, and appeared much exhausted. Thibd Race—For Licensed Watermen's boats^ pulling a pair of sculls. Entrance 10s. 6d. First prize, £5;-second ditto, £1. No entries. Foubth Race.—For cargo boats of any description, not exceeding 30 feet keel, over 30 feet to allow half a minute per foot. Entrance £1 Is. First prize, £10; second ditto, £5. Course same as last, reversed, and twice round. The following boats were entered :—Mr. John Putter's Brothers, 1; Mr. Joseph Milo's Pearl,2; Mr. R.Woodgate's Try-again, 3. At half-past one, the signal for! starting was fired; and the boats got away well together, the Brothers taking the leat, closely followed, by the Peail, and the Try-again following in her wake. The two first boats appeared to be very equally matched on a wind, and kept close together throughout the race; but the Try-again had no chance whatever. ; The boats kept the same relative positions throughout tlie race; and the Brothers ultimately won, beatingvthe Pearl by 3 minutes 15 second, and the Try-again by 7 minutes. \

Fifth Race.—-For dingies or ships' cutters, not exceeding 22 feet keel, over 22 feet to allow one minute per foot. Entrance 105..6 d; First prize, £8; second ditto, £4. Course same as last, once round. The following boats were entered :—-Mr; Wills' Nautilus, 1; Mr. Owen's Swift; 2; Mr^C. Gooden's Lively Flea; 3; Captain Wilson's White Swan, 4; Captain Bishop's Duckling, 5. This was a very popular race, and excited considerable interest. The wind wasi most suitable for this class of boats; A good start waseffeoted, the Swift

taking the lead, closely followed by the Lively Plea, and the White Swan, the Nautilus bringing up the rear; tho latter having had a little difficulty in getting away, in consequence of something getting foul. She was not, hbwover, long in regaining hor lost time, and took Tip tho third position before coming to the flag boat off Oriental bay. On rounding tho flag boat off Evans' Bay, tho Nautilus passed the Lively Flea and took the second position, pressing^ho Swift very closely. Shortly afterwards, she passed the Swift, on a wind, and kept tho lead .throughout, increasing the distance as tho race proceeded, coming in an easy winner, beatin" tho Swift by about a quarter of a mile, the Lively Floa third, and the other boats being no where. This ended tho programme of aquatic sports; but no littlo diversion was afforded by the following addition to it:—A greasy pole was extended horizontally from the starboard side of the schooner Esther, which waslyingalongsido Bethune & Hunter's wharf. Upon the end of the pole money was placed and persons desirous of obtaining it, had to walk along the pole to the end. Con^ siderable amusement was afforded to the bystanders, as the men walking along the pole lost their footing and plunged into the water. There was a boat alongside in readiness to pick them up. Pobtobkllo Tea Gabdens.--A numerous Company assembled at the Portobello' Tea Gardens in the'evehing, and' footed it away on ;the light fantastic toe, till' daylight appeared.' A quantity df fireworks were also let off with great effect. Annivebsaby BALL.-^-Ih the evening, the Odd Fellows' Hall, with its splendid suite of rooms, were thrown open to the public. The Hall was tastefully decorated, brilliantly lighted, and the toute ensemble was most effective. E>aricing commenced at nine o'clock, arid was kept up. with great vigour, all the fashionable dances of the day following each other in quick succession until early riiorri, when the company retired to then-respective homes, after having enjoyed themselves to their heart's content. Mr. Freeman provided the refreshments, which were of the best description and in abundance, and Mr. Currieconducted the band. ' ' '

Steam ExctrasioN.—The absence of the Wonga Wonga" from port prevented, her services being available for the short pleasant trips which she generally makes on holiday occasions round the harbour, or to the heads; bnt a select party of friends enjoyed the opportunity of spending a delightful day on the water, on the steamer Lyttelton, on the' invitation of her agents, Messrs. Bowler, Son, & Co. This little vessel (62 tons) recently arrived 'from England under canvas, and after being thoroughly overhauled and her machinery fitted, got up her steam on .Monday, and made Tuesday an opportunity for displaying her power, She seems a smart little vessel, and her passengers seemed well satisfied with the arrangements made for their enjoyment. Sunday School Gathebing. — The usual gathering of Sunday School Children took place on the old spot—the botanical reserve Karori Road. The schools, to whose united efforts we are indebted for this gathering, belong to the Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist, and congregational churches, and the gathering has about it so much of quiet rusticity that it is gradually swelling into one of the recognised popular methods of spending the anniversary. The children of the schools, according to the buntally numbered, oh first mustering "nearly 400, which was increased by visitors to nearly 600, with about 300 parents, friends, and others who walked out to the excellent tea provided for their accommodation; Several appropriate pieces were sung to some of the best of the modern tunes introduced into children's worship by Hullali, Curwen arid others, including a National Anthesm particularly suited to the present circumstances of the colony, and the whole wended their way homewards at dusk. Great„as is,this, source, of :to children.}, and visitors, we suppose it must be one of hard work to many of the teachers, who will we are confident consider the enjoyment afforded to nearly a thousand persons—young and old—as amply repaying them. ■'

Blight in Apple Tbees.—Some important information upon the cause and cure of this disease is conveyed in the following letter to the ' Spectator ■:—

" Sir,—As I believe that I have discovered a plan to destroy the f American' blight in the apple trees, I send you the following remarks, in the hope that my. plan may be extensively tried next winter, arid with a full persuasion that, if carefully carried out, it will result in success. I observed that, on examining the roots of diseased trees, they were invariably covered with blight, and it appeared to me that if we could succeed in curing the foots we should not have much trouble with the trunk arid branches. I had also read* that a medal of horior had been presented to a Scotchman by the Emperor of ,the French, for his discovery that the application of sulphur would cure the vine disease. 1 therefore thought it worth the trial to observe the effect of the application of sulphur to apple trees; If it cured,vines it might cure apple trees also. I have both an enclosed garden and an orchard. Last winter I uncovered the roots of the apple trees as far as possible, covered them with a liberal application of sulphur, and returned the earth over all. The result has been, that in the enclosed garden, up to the present mpment,'there has not been a particle of blight visible on trees which were previously covered with the disease, and in the orchard the blight is of trifling moment, although not yet eradicated. The success in the enclosed garden shows, I think, that sulphur is a specific for the disease; while the partial success in the orchard shows only that the roots were not opened, nor steeped with such care as the others (which was the case); and I trust, by a more careful: dressing next winter, to eradicate the disease there also. It has been suggested to bore a hole in the stem of apple trees and insert sulphur therein. This, I conceive, is going on a wrong principle. Plants require to take up nourishment through the roots; and if,as I suspect, the blight is a consequence of diseased sap, it is by tlie foots that the sap must be" supplied with the remedy. The economy of my plan is one of its greatest merits, I dressed all my trees, the number being considerable, at an outlay of 12s. for sulphur. The treatment to be observed is, then, simply as follows:—Clear off the earth from the foots of the apple trees during winter, as far as they can be conveniently followed, cover with a liberal application of sulphur, and replace the earth over all; It is probable that the 3iilphuf performs two functions, destroys the blight on the bark of tlie roots, and purifies the ascending sap.—-C."