THE LYTTELTON REGATTA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13947, 2 January 1906, Page 9

THE LYTTELTON REGATTA.

The blusterous entry of the New Tear grievously disquieted the people of. Lyttelton in general, and the promoters, of the New Year’s Day Regatta in particular. It .was feared, with apparent-ly-good reason, that, even as the regatta of 1905- had been spoiled by a aou’-wester, that of 19.06 would be ruined- by a nor’-wester. These forebodings seemed to be justified till a few hours after dawn, gale which had raged vehemently in the “ small hours” 'subsided into spasmodic gusts. Hope then arose in Lyttelton breasts, and that hope was well founded. At halfpast ten in the morning, the time appointed for the start of the first race, wind and water were sufficiently favour- . able to enable the regatta, to begin. The earlier races were got oil under somewhat adverse circumstances, but as' the day advanced the wind sank still lower, and the sea became yet more calm, so that the later rowing races were decided under practically ideal conditions. There was one exception. A maiden four-oared race appeared on the programme, the first that has been seen on a Lyttelton Regatta programme for gome years. It was to come off at 5.30 p.m., and soon after that hour half-a-dozen crews essayed . the start, which was to take place outside the moles. By,-this time a fresh nor’-easter had supplanted the nor’-wester of the morning, and the sea was again somewhat rough. One of the boats, that ox the Canterbury Rowing Club, was halffilled with water, and it became evident , that conditions were anything but favourable, and would probably become worse. Under these circumstances Mr C. Allard, the umpire of the rowing races, ordered the boats back to the wharf. It was, at first intended to make another attempt to row the race at 7.30 p.m., but it soon became apparent that conditions would not be improved then. It was found that rowing it next day was impracticable, as certain visiting crews could not then attend. The committee decided, therefore to abandon the race. The management of the regatta gave little cause for fault finding. The events were got off with punctuality arid regularity, and the officials \carried out their various duties in commendable fashion. Mr A.-E. Craddock produced excellent starts, under conditions not always favourable. Messrs W. Putnam, C. Ray, W. Taylor, H. J. Raphael, J.' and J. Haydon efficiently discharged the of judges, as Hid Messrs R. Kennett, B. Falok and A. W. Jones those of timekeepers. Mr G. Allard gave general satisfaction as umpire of the rowing events, and the secretary, Mr W. 0. Cleary, and the treasurer, Mr J. Garrard, did their utmost to ensure the success of the' regatta. The other officials, of whom there were, necessarily many, performed their respective functions satisfactorily. For the accommodation and entertainment of subscribers to the regatta funds, the flagship exists is an institution of the Lyttelton regatta. The vessel, which this year served as such, was the barque Laira, on. board of which a committee, with Mr. 0. Cook as chairman, provided afternoon tea, and .the Lyttelton Marine Band, under Bandmaster Collins, provided some very good music. Captain Rogers, the commander of the vessel, did his utmost to uphold her credit in the role whi.ch she was called upon to support. The principal concomitants of “Re- ■ gatta Day ” in Lyttelton, apart from « tffjij regatta and the submarine explosion, are swimming races, athletic sports, held in the street, marine excursions, booths for festive eating and drinking, flags and crowds. All were in evidence yesterday. The Union Company’s fine and ever popular Rotomahana, the Cygnet and John Anderson, the Purau and the Canterbury . provided the marine excursions, ahd~ the public provided the crowds. The latter were, it is said, not so large as on previous New Year’s Days, but they were large enough to be imposing. About 15,500 .people were conveyed from Christchurch to Lyttelton by train up to 6 p.m. They formed a well dressed, and apparently well to do, and contented aeemblage, a large proportion of which remained in Lyttelton till late at night. Prominent among the places for supplying refreshment to the throng was the Railway Social Hall, wherein a luncheon and a tea were, at different times of the day, laid, the proceeds being in aid of the fund for rebuilding St John’s Presbyterian Sunday School. During the evening many persons ap- ' peared to find amusement in letting off fireworks in the street, which were for a while full of reports of crackers and the smell of powder. ’ ROWING EVENTS. ' -MAIDEN PAIR-OAR RACE, one mile;, first prize £6 second £2. Six entries —Canterbury Rowing Club, N. Guthrie (bow), H. B. Brittain (stroke), F. Stewart (cox), 1; Lyttelton Bowing Club, W. Whitford (bow), J. Lindsay (stroke), K. M’Lennan (cox), 2; Akaroa Boating Club, E. Magee (bow), L. y Haylock (stroke), L. Armstrong (cox), 3. Christchurch Amateur'Rowing Club, H. Bliss (bow), J. Birch (stroke), J. Sullivan (cox); Avon Bowing Club, T. Bradley (bow), W. Ardley (stroke), J. M’Laren (cox), and Union Rowing Club, E. Clemens (bow), W. Clemens (stroke), J. Sterling (cox), also started. The water was somewhat rough, and die wind high when the race started, and Mr Craddock had a deal of trouble in getting the -boats into a satisfactory line. At length this was effected, and a good start was made. Akaroa got rather the, best of it, and soon had a lead of about a length, with Union eccond, Avon third and the rest all together. There appeared little to choose between the , boats as they went towards the dock. Lyttelton was first round its turning flag, with Akaroa and- Canterbury close behind, and the others nearly together. On the return journey Canterbury forged' slightly ahead of Lyttelton when passing No. 5 jetty, and Avon dropped into last place. - The Akaroa crew, pulling very gamely, drew near to Lyttelton, the other three boats following close behind. Passing No. 2 jetty the Canterbury Rowing Club crew improved their position, and pulling very well, went on and won by a couple of lengths. A fine struggle for second place resulted in favour of Lyttelton by about three feet. The Christchurch Amateur boat was fourth, Union fifth and Avon last. Time—6min. IS 2-Ssec. JUNIOR PAIR-OAE RACE, one mile; first prize £7, second £2. Eight entries— Christchurch . Amateur Rowing Club, \J. J. Ryan (bow), M. B. Ryan (stroke), J. Sullivan (cox), 1; Union Rowing Club, E. O’Brien (bow), T. Ker (stroke), J. Sterling (cos), 2; Union Rowing Club, D. P. Mahoney (bow), *E. JV Barnes (stroke), E. L. Stace (cox), 3. Avon Rowing Club, A. Evans (bow), H. Kennedy (stroke), J. M’Laren (cox); Cure Boating Club, P. Mellor (bow), A. T. Blackwell (stroke), H. Manning (cox); Akaroa Club, P. Westenra (bow), B. W. Henning (stroke), E. Spooner (cox); Timnru, Boating Club, L. C. Forgie (bow), H. Walker (stroke), V. Hawkes (cox); Christchurch Amateurs Rowing Club, T. Kelly (bow), A. Gogall (stroke), G. Gregory (cox), also started. Unfavourable wind and water again caused delay at the start, but at length Mr Craddock got the boats away well together. Kelly and Gogall, of the Christchurch Amateur Club, were the first to show in front, and the Avon crew had the misfortune to break an outrigger, thus putting them out of the race from the start.. Passing pleasure boats interfered with the view of the race from the i'udge’s stand, but it was seen that the Akaroa icat apparently pulled out just before reaching the turning flags a little while after very nearly having a foul with Timaru. The two Ryans, of the Christchurch Amateur Club, were first round their flag, O’Brien and Ker (U.R.0.) being next, very close up. Then came Timaru and Mahoney and Barnes, of the Union Club. On tho* return journey these three crews outdistanced the others and fought out the finish among themselves. The ( Ryans pnt on a spurt when off No. 2 jetty j ) and won easily by a couple of lengths from O’Brien and Ker, who were. several lengths ahead of their club mates. Timaru was fourth. 1 Time—fimin 21 I-Ssstt

SENIOR PAIR-OAR RACE, one mile-and a half: first prize £lO, second £O. Five entries~xAkaroa Boating Club, L. Ditely (bow), K. Kearney (stroke), O. Henningway (cox), X; Union Rowing Club, W. Duggan (bow), T. Chambers (stroke), E. L. Stace (cox), 2; Union Rowing Club, F. Otley (bow), J. Fry (stroke), J. Sterling (cox), 3. Akaroa Boating Club, C. Goodwin (bow), J. Woodill (stroke), L. Armstrong (cox); Lyttelton Rowing Club. S. Sinclair (bow), E. Sinclair (stroke), K. M’Lennan (era) also started. A capital start was effected, and there was little to choose between the beats till they neared the flags at the first turning point. Lyttelton was first round, and cleverly gained over a couple of lengths in so doing. Ditely and Kearney were next, the two Union boats followed practically together, and the other Akaroa boat was last. Ditely and Kearney went in hot pursuit of the Lyttelton representatives, and wrested the lead from them when about half way back to the startingpoint. The leaders were round the second turning flag two lengths ahead of the local men, who re-.ired shortly after going round. The Union boats went round well in front of the Akaroa men, Goodwin and Woodill, who then gave up, Duggan and Chambers (Union) made a game effort to catch the leading crew, Ditely and Kearney, who responded with a spurt which put them far ahead, and they wen easily by half a dozen lengths. Duggan and Chambers were three lengths ahead of their club mates in second place. Time—9min 49 4-osec. YOUTHS’ PAIR-OAR RACE, one mile; first prize £G„ second £2; seven entries— Lyttelton Bowing Club, E. Gillard (bow), G. H. Thomas (stroke), K. M’Leunau (cox), i; Avon Rowing Club, L. Leighton (bow), A. Dunn (stroke), J. M’Laren (cox), 2; Akaroa Boating Club, C.-" Walker (bow), W. Mimn (stroke), E. Spooner (cox), 3. Christchurch Amateur Rowing Club, H. Beak (bow), A. Smith (stroke), J. Sullivan (cox); Cure Boating Club, G. Templeton (lynv), H. Brierly (stroke), H. Manning (cox); and Union Rowing Clrrb, G. Arnold (bow), L. Hay (stroke), J. Sterling (cox) also started. When this race started the. wind had lulled and the water was smoother than at the starts of the preceding races. The boats were got off well together, and kept in close company for the first half of the distance. The Lyttelton representatives, .pulling a fine swinging stroke, led round the turning flag, with Christchurch Amateurs second, and Akaroa, Canterbury, Union and Cure following in order. The Lyttelton men improved their advantage on the return journey, outdistanced all their competitors, and gained a very popular victory by a dozen lengths. Avon and Akaroa, with Cure in close attendance. fought out a good struggle for second- place, which was gained by the Avon crew by three-quarters of a length, the Kaiapoi boat finishing fourth. Time—smin 55sec. NAVAL CUTTER RACE, about one mile; first prize £10; two entries—Chief Petty Officer Toomey’s crew 1. A crew steered by Leading Gunner 'Wilson also started. The race was rowed in two heats, as the boats used, the Rapid and Fayre Child, are not nearly equal, the former being much the lighter of the two. The chief petty officer's crew proved their superiority-in both heats. The course was from between Nos. 2 and 3 jetties, out through the moles, round a buoy moored inside the reef, and back to the starting-point. The winners did the distance in the Fayre Child in 13min olsoc and in the Rapid in ISmin 27sec, beating their opponents by a long distance in each instance.

SHIP’S BOAT RACE (four-oar), about one mile; first prize £5, second £2; three entries—Barquo Fort George (Captain Fullerton), 1; s.s'. Whakatane, (Captain Silba), 2. A second boat from the' Whakatane also started. The course was the same as that, for the Naval Cutters’ Race. The brat of the American barque, skilfully steered by Mr F. Mortimer, chief officer of the vessel, took tho lead shortly after the start and maintained it to the finish, winning easily. Tho Whakatane’s boats were heavier and less suited for racing than the winning boat An oar was broken soon after the start in the boat which,gained second place, a fact .which made its performance the more meritorious. SENIOR DOUBLE-SCULLING RACE, one mile and a half; first prize £lO, second £2; three entries—Akaroa Boating Club, G. Whelch (bow), J. Wocdill (stroke), O. Henningway (cox), 1; Union Rowing Club, W. Duggan (bow), T. Chambers (stroke), E. L. Stace (cox), 2. Union Rowing Club, F. Otley (bow), J. Fry (stroke), J. Sterling (cox), also started. From a very good start the Akaroa crew took the lead and maintained it throughout, winning by half a dozen lengths. The two Union crews fought out a fine race for second place, which Duggan and Chambers gained by about a length and a half. Time—9min 6 2-ssec. MAIDEN DOUBLE- SCULLING RACE, one mile; first prize £6, second £2; six entries—Union Rowing Club, E. Clemens (bow), W. Clemens (stroke), E. L, Stace (cox), 1; Akaroa Boating Club, R. Kiddey (bow), L. Armstrong (cox), 2; Avon Rowing Club, F. Deighton (bow), A. Evans, (stroke), J. M’Laren (cox), 3. Cure Boating Club P. Mellor (bow), L. Oram stroke, L. Kedtley (cox) and Christchurch Amateur Rowing Club T. Kelly (bow), A. Gogoll (stroke), J. Sullivan (cos) also started. The start was an admirable on-e. no crew having any advantage. The water was by this,time smooth, and the boats maintained an even lino till nearing the turning flags, when the Kaiapoi boat gained a slight lead. The Union crew, however, came close behind it. and soon after the turn, gained a lead which they kept to the finish, winning by a length and a half. There was an excellent race for second place, which the Akaroa. boat gained by about a length and a half from Avon, which got third position by only a few feet from the C.R.C. boat. Kaiapoi finished fifth and tho Christchurch Amateur representatives last. Time—6min YOUTHS’ DOUBLE SCULLING RACE, one mile; first prize £6, second £2; eight entries—Akaroa Boating Club, C. Walker (bow), W. Munn (stroke), E. Spooner (oox), X; Avon Rowing Club, A. Dunn (bow), L. Deighton (stroke), J. M’Laren (cox), 2; Cure Boating Club, G. Templeton (bow), H. Brierly (stroke), H. Manning (cox), 3. Lyttelton Rowing Club, G. if. Thomas (bow), D. Bamford (stroke), K. M’Lennan (cox); Union Rowing Club, G. Arnold (bow), L. Hay (stroke), J. Sterling (cox); Canterbury Rowing Club, F. Parson (bow), T. O. Fox (stroke), W. Fraser (cox); Timaru Rowing Club, J. Nome (bow), R. Parr (stroke), F. Spooner (cox), and Christchurch Amateur Bowing Club, H. Beck (bow), A. Smith (stroke), J. Sullivan (oox) also started. The water was in’perfect, order for rowing when this race was rowed, and Mr Craddock secured an excellent start. The' Lyttelton boat appeared somewhat in front of the line after a few strokes, but the Akaroa crew forged ahead, and were first round tho turning flag, with Lyttelton second, Union third and the others together in close attendance. The Kaiapoi men made a plucky effort, and overhauled Lyttelton, and -when abreast of No. 3 jetty, the Avon representatives spurted, , and got into second place. The Akaroa men, however, pulling strongly and well, held the lead to the finish, and passed the winning flag a length ahead of Avon, which beat Cure by a length for second place. Lyttelton, close behind Cure, was fourth and Canterbury a good fifth. Time — 6min .2 2-sseo.

JUNIOR DOUBLE SCULLING RACE, one mile; first prize £7, second £2; six entries—Akaroa Boating Club, L,- Ditely (bow), M.Keamey (stroke), O. Henningway (cox), 1; Cure Boating Club, P. Mellor (bow), A. T. Blackwell (stroke), H. Manning (cox), 2; Union Rowing Club, E. O’Brien (bow), T. Ker (stroke), J. Sterling (cox), 3. Union Rowing Club, D. P. Mahoney (bow), E. J. Barnes (stroke), E.'L. Stace (cox); Avon Rowing Clubs H. Kennedy (bow), C. Watts (stroke), J. M’Laren (cox); Christchurch Amateur Rowing Club,, J. J. Ryan (bow), J. M’Entee (stroke), J. Sullivan (cox) also started. The start was a capital one, and; shortly after it the Akaroa crew went to the front, and were never passed, winning by three lengths. There was a fine struggle for second place, and the Kaiapoi boat gained it by half a length. The others were all close up at the finish. Time—smin 5 2-sscc. SINGLE SCULLING RACE, one mile; first prize £6, second £2; six entries —Akaroa Boating Club, G. Whelch, L. Armstrong (cox), 1; Akaroa. Boating Club, J. Woodill, O. Henningway (cox) Avon Rowing Club W. Samuels, J. M’Laren (cox), 3. Lyttelton Rowing Club, E. Sinclair, K. M’Lennan (cox) and Union Rowing Club, J. Fry, E. L. Stace (cox) also started. After some trouble, Mr Craddock got the men away to , a capital start. No one appeared to gain an advantage till nearing the turning flags, where Samuels was first round, with Woodill second and his club mate, Whelch, third. The Union and Lyttelton men followed, but were out-dis-tanced on the return journey. Whelch, Woodill and Samuels raced together till abreast of No. 2 jetty, where the champion went to- the front, and finished a length and a half in front of his club mate- who was about a length ahead of Samuels. Fry. Union Rowing Club, being fourth and Sinclair last. F. Otley (Union Rowing Club) did not start. Time—6min 45sec. THE SAILING RACES.

The sailing portion • of the Lyttelton Regatta programme has passed through many vicissitudes in the fifty-four, or fifty-five years during which the popular aquatic fixture has been held. The present is noi_ an opportune time to trace such epochs, suffice it then to say that the proverbia. old identity re-visit-ing the regatta yesterday, and contrasting _ its sailing events with those at regattas of thirty or thirty-five years ago, would no doubt, the comparison all in favour of the past. Ho would, as a matter of course, lament the absence of the then famed "coaster’s” race; he might look in vain, too, for * the fine fleet of evenly-matohed yachts which he had expected to see assembled to test weathorly qualities in a thrash to the Heads, and he would doubtless have many unkind things to of the “ frying pan ”

type of small racing machine by which tha roomy and comfortable old-timer has been replaced. -The modem Rip Van Wink.e might do all these things, and do them with a certain amount of pardonable pride, talking loud and picturesquely about the good old times, when the mail was taken to Pigeon Bay once a month by means of a whaleboat; when Lyttelton Harbour was general.y well filled - with fine sai.iug vessels, not forgetting the handsome toastc'rs; before the era of the steam engine and the pro.pel.or, 'which have played such havoc with the romance of the sea life; m fine, before the ago when at least one-half of the conveniences which the present generation has very reasonably come to regard as the necessities of life, had any existence. “ Oh, the times; oh, tho manners.” The coasters’ race is gone, for the very sufficient reason that there are now no coasters, at least but few; and those concerned with the remaining craft, whether owner or skipper, are rarely possessed of the “sporting spirit” sufficient.y strong to trouble about regatta contests, the more serious pursuits of life having taxed them to the utmost. Then, again, the fleet of previously-mentioned yachts of a useful and handy type is not now catered for for precisely tho same reason. Yesterday's regatta marks still another epoch in this process of “ degeneration,” for it marks the passing of what is technically known as the “ rating” race, and leaves the managers of the regatta with nothing but a couple of handicap events to insert in their programme. The explanation, if such is wanting, is to be found in the presence on the programme of such an event as a race for “ motor launches,” the prototype in the yachting world of tho coastal and ocean-going steamer of the mercantile marine—and those of ris who love the neatly-kept, handsome whitewinged yacht, with its crew or weL-trained, skilful amateur sailors, cannot fail to lament the fact of its passing, for passing it most certainly is. But to the day’s events. Tho day was ; in yachting parlance, one of flukes. That all important element from a yachtsman's view point, tho wind, was fickle and unsteady to a degree. A blustering nor’-wesler gave, way first to a light northerly, then to a steady north-easter., which in turn was replaced for a time by a light breeze from the ■westward, and finally a light south-wester added its quota to the_ day of “-samples.” The two races were classed as for boats under 22ft waterline, and over 22ft waterline, and in spite of the unfavourable conditions, some fairly interesting sailing was witnessed. In tho former event, that for the smaller

class, seven entrants started, and the race resolved itself into a match between AVaterwitch, one of tho scratch boats, and Water. Lily, which had been rather liberally showed a .start of eleven minutes. The latter won, with some nine and a ha.f minutes to spare. Li the bigger class four craft competed, _ and tlie race was noted chiefly for the excellent struggle which ensued between Zephyr and Onawe. They, were sufficiently close together throughout the contest to share each other’s fortunes in the many flukes that were going, and the contest betwen them was as fine as the regatta has produced ior many a day. The Venture, with an allowance of twenty-eight minutes from tho scratch boat, won on time allowance by a margin of four . minutes, Kiaora taking second money. The fo.lowmg are details;

YACHT RACE (Handicap), under 22ft waiemne; first prize £l6, second £7, third •04—Water Lily (L. Pickles), 11mm, 1; Waterwitch (R. Kennett), scr, 2; Bettma (0. Barnes) 12min, 3. Sky .ark (C, Andrews) ISmin, Patiki (L. Pickles) 15mm 39sec and Pareora (A. E. Sutton) 16mm also started'. AVaierwiich got the beet of a good start, being timed over the line 25 seconds after gun-fire, with Bettma and Swaiiow in company six or seven seconds later. Then came Pareora a minute ■ after gun-iire, with WaterLily, Skylark and Patiki bringing up the rear, Patiki being nearly five minutes behind tho leader. The wind was steady from the northward at tho start, and after the flees had rounded the, reef buoy it veered into tho north-east, and AVaterwitoh commenced to show her weaiherly qualities, whi.e Water Lily also improved her position, and at the completion of the first round had passed all but Waterwitch, which craft had then a .ead: of only 2min 40sec, with Swallow close handy third, Pareora,; fourth, Bettma fifth and Skylark bringing up the rear, Patiki having thus eariy retired. Luring the progress of tho second round, the wind fell light, and a while Wa-ierwiteh was beca.med in midstream until the wind came away again from the westward. The rearmost boats all profited somewhat from the change, and on the completion of the second round AVater Liiy was oniy 2min 2Qseo behind AVaterwitch, with Swallow stil. in third place, Betana being; fourth, close handy, and Pareora fifth. Skylark here gave up.' The iast round saw but little change in the relative positions, and the boats were timed across the , ime as follow:—AVaterwitch 2hr, AA’ater Lily 2hr Imin■llsec, Bettma 2hr Qlmin oOsec, Swa.low 2hr 21min 50sec and Pareora 2hr 27mm ssep. Upon the times being corrected, water Lily was declared the winner, with AVaterwitch second and Bettina third. YACHT; RACE, (over 22ft waterline-); first prize £6O, second £10 —Venture (G. Newton), 23min, I; Kia Ora (J. H. Collins), scr, 2. Zephyr (R. Hatchwell) 16min and Onawe (R. M’Nab) 16min also started. Onawe and Kia Ora were close on the hue .when ihe- s.ar.aig' gun was fired, and were timed across at Ihr Omin 3aseo and Ihr Omin 37sec respectively. Zephyr and Venture crossed in company half a’minute later. Kia Ora raced under her. cruising'rig, the others .in racing, garb. The wind was fresh from the westward at the start, and at the reef buoy it was seen that Kia Ora had' drawn away from Onawe, and had put. a good distance between therm and when fairly on the lee journey towards Parson’s Rook, she began to show a clean pair of hee.s ’to rhe fleet. Zephyr was ‘the onlyi craft to sport running canvas on this stretch, and it he.ped-her considerably, whi.e Venture commenced to drop astern. Kia Cra had' a substantial - lead 'upon rounding the lee mark at Parson’s Rook, while Zephyr and Onawe were-, in close company. While working up towards the .reef buoy, and when Kia Ora. was well towards the southern shore, the wind became patchy, and about this time Zephyr and-Onawe got a series of lucky puffs off the north 1 shore which helped them considerably, and for some time both were head-' ing - directly up the harbour, - while KiaOra and A T ehture . appeared to bo making- a lee board on the other tack, and when Kia Ora broke tack it was seen that she was only a couple of hundred yards to windward- of her two smaller rivals. Kia Ora completed the first round in Imin 3sec in, advance of Onawe, which had Zephyr close aboard at the pierbuoy, and immediately after passing the reef mark, Zephyr overhauled and passed Onawe. The second round was completed under less variable conditions, and saw Kia Ora omin advance of Zephyr, which boat at this time had a minute lead of Onawe, with Venture some llimin away. The third round was again responsible for a number of flukes, in which Kia Ora had the best of tbs luck, and upon passing the Parson’s Rock buoy she had a lead of llmin from Zephyr. The wind was now from the westward, but somewhat patchy, and- Kia Ora was unable to quite maintain her advantage, for Zephyr and Onawe sticking close, together, reduced the gap somewhat, and upon commencing, the last round were- well within their time; Arenture also retained’ her position, and looked like a winner. The wind now veered into the south-west, and tor a time' blew steadily, during which Zephyr and - Onawe, sharing each other’s fortunes, again 'had the luck, and must have, saved their,, tjjhs had - the wind’held?" "On (he final s-tfetch to the line the conditions were all against a fair test of the boats, and in the varying flukes that ensued, Kia Ora was able to shake off her two rivals;, and got home at 4hr 9mln 30scc, while Zephyr and' Onawe ran into a calm belt and lost a lot of time, ■ being timed across (he line at 4hf 28min 42500 and 4hr 29min 7seo respectively, 'after having engaged in a' most interesting' match. All this time Venture-had been plugging away a long wayi astkrn, but still within her, time, and she crossed at Ihr 33min 30seo, or a winner with a margin of 4min, Kia Ora taking second prize. The race was interesting chiefly from the fact of the changing fortunes winch resulted from the variable conditions of wind, but as a test of the sailing qualities of the boats it was quite valueless. 1 MOTOR-LAUNCH RACE.

The. committee had not included a race for motor boat® on the programme, but the owners of those craft got up a sweepstake® of £1 a boat, supplemented by a two guinea special prize from Messrs Booth and Macdonald, and arranged a race among themselves. .The Regatta Committee assisted by leaving a vacancy in their programme to admit of the contest, and provided official assistance. Five boats, of various descriptions, started, and the race was sufficiently satisfactory to warrant its promoters in repeating it at next regatta. Tho distance was ton nautical ■miles, three times round a course laid down outside the moles, from the entrance to which the boats started. The winner was Messrs Hay Bros.’ To Wham, which beat Mr H. Bamford’s Irene by Imin 35sec. The latter took second prize, beating Mr Hopkins’s Patari by 2min 45sec, Mr C. Sullivan’s Bravo and Mr J. Wyman’s Eula also started. The boats Avere handicapped according to their supposed capabilities. The Irene had very bad luck, ao her engine stopped twice, once on tho first round and once after she had overhauled the Te Wham. The Bravo ran aground at the back of the reef, and thus lost her chance. The Eula gave up on the third round. - MAN-OF-WAR BOATS’ RACE. One of the principal attractions of the day was furnished by the crew of H.M.S. Prometheus, who competed for prizes offered by tho committee for a race for man-of-war boats. Five boats were entered, and the conditions of the contest wore arranged by the officers of the vessel. The, course, which lay mostly outside tho moles, though die boats started and finished within them, was about two miles and a half in length. Lieutenant Arnold acted as starter and judge, and the result was as follows:—Five-oar 27ft whaleboat (Leading Seaman Matthews), 124 see, 1; first tweivc-oar 30ft cutter (First-class Leading Stoker Leary), 20sec, 2; sixoar 30ft galley (First-class Petty Officer Jacket®), scr, 3. The ten-oar 28ft cutter (First-class Petty Officer Bartlett), 54sec, and the second twolve-oar 30ft cutter (Second-class Petty Officer Nugent), 20sec, also started. A good start was effected, and the race Avas contested with sportsmanklike keenness to an exciting finish. The whaleboat beat the first cutter by two minutes, and the latter finished twelve boats’ lengths in front of the galley. The ten-oared cutter was fourth, and the second twelve-oared cutter fifth. There were three prizes, of £5, £2 and £1 respectively. THE SUBMARINE EXPLOSION. Many people, doubtles, go to Lyttelton on New Year’s Day to watch the pleasing sight of vessels, propelled by oars, sails, or motors gliding over tho surface of the water. More, probably, resort there on the same occasion in order to behold a vessel, propelled by gun-cotton, soaring a couple of hundred feet above it. Individuals of tho latter class had no reason to feel disappointed yesterday, for the submarine explosion was as startingly successful as on any former New Year’s Day. Under the direction of Lieutenant Symons 300 pounds of guncotton were sunk at a respectable distance outside the western

breakwater. The necessary electrical connection was made betwen mine and shore, the latter being represented by the breakwater aforesaid, and a cranky old craft, the Linnet, erstwhile a trading vessel,was moored above the former. The little vessel was bedecked like a victim for the sacrifice, with gaudy fluttering flags of red, white and blue flying from the extempore masts and spars which replaced Iter own long vanished ones. Her old hull contained a last cargo of straw, which a few minutes before the hour appointed for her destruction, 3 p.m., was set- on fire. Wrapped in smoke and flame she lay until the clock struck the hour of her doom. A minute later, and_ she had justified her name, by flying, oven though it was in fragments, amidst a column of smoke, water and mud, which with a kind of muffled roar, rose to a height of some 250 ft. The_ fragments in question returned rapidly to tho water, some of them, seemingly, dangerously close to a steamer, which, laden with pleasure-seekers, passed outside of the moles just as the principal spectacle of the day was about to take place. No one was hurt, however, and the success of the day tvas not marred by accident. Miss Barns, daughter of Mr F. H.' Barns, commodore of the regatta, fired the mine Avhioh caused the explosion. THE SWIMMING RACES. Swimming races in the dock have become a very important feature in the regatta day programme, and yesterday they attracted the attention of a very large proportion of the holiday crowd. The races 'were conducted for the first time by the Lyttelton Pirates Amateur Ainletic Club, Avhich includes swimming among its sports, and with the assistance of many well-tried officials tho club performed its duties very creditably. The, sAvimming was excellent, large, fields contesting all the events, and the finishes being remarkably close. Praise is due to the interclub handicapper, Mr W. Johnson, for his successful placing of the competitors. The most important event on the programme Avas the half-mile championship of Canterbury, which Avas Avon somewhat easily by H. Rich, of the OpaAV-a Club. The palpable unfitness of some of the competitors robbed the race of the interest that was anticipated, but Rich performed well, and G. L. Bull, Avho finished in second place, also made a good showing after sAvimming a most erratic course. In the inter-club handicaps the representatives of the Sydenham Club were conspicuously successful, and in each case their tunes AA’ere good. The officials AA-ere the folloAving:—Referee, Mr W. E. D. Bishop; judge®, the Rev W. S. Bean and Messrs G. Reese and F. H. Gifford; time-keepers, Messrs E. H. James, K. Bassett, H. E. Empson and W. Jofinson; starter, Mr C. Mazey; check starter, Mr C. Schneider; marksmen, Messrs P. N. Rundle, T. Wales, J. Young, E. Eldridge, E. Gillard and A. E. Talbot; inter-club handicapper, Sir W. Johnson; club handicapper, Mr E. Gillard; local consul and costume steAvard, Mr J. R. Buchanan; press steward, Mr W. E. Clarkson; treasurer, Mr F. Reed; secretaries, Messrs E. Gillard and T. Wales, The following were the results:— 880yds PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP— H. Rich (Opawa) 1, G. L. Bull (Richmond) 2, J - . S. Hilson (Christchurch) 3. G. Sanderson (Timaru), P. Truscott (Opawa), L. Penrose (Addington), B. Koskella (Lyttelton) and F. E. Dodge (East Christchurch) also started. From a good start Penrose, Dodge, Truscott and Bull drew out and completed the first length (110yds) in that order. Koskella retired before going one hundred and fifty yards, and entering tho third lap Bull and Penrose Avere together, with Rich close up and Hilson and Sanderson some distance away, while Dodge and Truscott retired. Rich improved his position, and at the halfdistance was leading Bull by fiA-e yards. Penrose, who was in third place, retired at that point, leaAfing Hilson twenty yards further away and Sanderson fifteen yards behind him. Bull, who had interfered considerably with Penrose, was swimming a most erratic course, aud Rich gradually drew away from him. Fifty yards from home Bull sourted, but Rich had something in baud and won, Avithout being troubled, 'by fifteen yards. Bull was a hundred yards ahead of Hilson, and Sanderson a similar distance behind him. Time— 14min 49 3-Ssea, 50yds INTER-CLUB HANDICAP, second class —First heat - ; B. Mortimer, scr, 1; W. M’Cracken, 6sec, 2. B. Ehind scr, E. Thomson 2sec, C. Jones 4sec and D. Green 4sec also started. Won „ by two feet. Time—34seo. Second heat: D. Jones, iseo, 1; C. Jameson, 4soc, 2. J. James scr, C. Loo Iseo, D. Gale Isec and W. Nicoll 4seo also started. Won on the touch. Time—36sec. Third heat: F. Reid, Iseo, 1; W. L. Gill scr and P. CoAvdery scr (equal) 2. W. Manhire Isec, L. Ann and 2seo, J. Donn 2sec, F. Jones 4sec and W. King 4sec also started. Won easily bv a yard. Time—34 4-ssec. Fourth heat: E~. Tredennick, Isec, 1; H. Reid, 3sec, 2. W. Walls scr, C. HoAvard scr, T. Sefton Iseo and G. M’Lean Iseo also started. Won by two feet. Time—3s l-ssec. Final: R. Mortimer, scr, 1; F. Reid, Isec, 2. P. Cowdery scr, R. Tredennick Isec, D. Jones Isec, H. Reid 3sec. C. Jameson 4seo and W. M’Cracken fisec also started. Mortimer swam remarkably Avell, getting up just in time to. beat Reid, who Avas a foot in front of Tredennick. Time—34 2-sseo. 75yds BREAST STROKE HANDICAP— First heat: H. H. Wauchop, 3soc, 1; W. Nicoll, llsec, 2. F. Truscott scr, A. Russell scr and G. M’Lean 19sec also started. Won fairly easily by tAvo yards. Time 59 3-sscc. Second heat: G. Howison, 3seo, 1; C. Clark, 3sec, 2. N. M’Dowoll 2sec, W. Menzies 4sec* and H. Manhire lOsec also started. Won by a yard. Time—62sec. Final: H. H. Wauchop, 3seo, 1; G. Howison, 3sec, 2. C. Clark 3sec and W. Nicoll llsec also started. Wauchop soon got to the front and won easily by five yards. Time—62soc. 59YDS INTER-CLUB HANDICAP; firstclass—First heat: P. Mason, Ssec, 1; F. Wauchop, 6sec, 2. W. M’Kay 2sec, N. M’Dowell 4scc, H. S. Williams 4sec, E. Dingle fisec and W. Menzies fisec also started. Won by two feet, M’Kay being beaten by a touch for second place. Time—32sec. Second heat; H. Howard, osec, 1; W. L. Dodge, 3sec, 2. G. Bull 2sec, L. Dougall 4sec and E. Allen Ssec also started. Won easily by a yard. Time—33 4-sseo. Third heat; H. Dillon, 4scc, 1; B. Miles, 4seo, 2. A. Donnelly 4sec. S. Loader 4sec, C. Boyd 4sec and G. Gemmell 4sec also started. Won by a yard. Time—33sec. Fourth heat: J. Howison, 4sec, 1; W. Rodger, fisec, 2. C. Builivant, scr, L. Dingle 2seo, S. Wright fisec and C. Bryant fiseo also started. Won easily. Time —32 l-saec. Final—T. Howison, 4sec, 1; W. L. Dodge, Ssec and F. Wauchop, fisec (equal), 2. P. Mason 3sec, B. Miles 4sec, H. Dillon Isec, H. Howatd ssec and W. Rodger fisec also started. Howison won fairly easily_ by a vard, Dillon -and Howard finishing c.ose behind Dodge and Wauchop. Time—32 4-osec. 50YDS HANDICAP, Lyttelton Club—First heat; E. Koskella, scr, 1; J. Wilson, lOsec, 2. F. Reed 2scc. J. James 2aec and H. A. Rhind Iseo also started. Koskella just

caught 'Wilson on the touch. 'Time—3Sseo. Second heat: H. Heed, Bsec, 1; R- Tredennick, Saco, 2. C. Boyd scr and C. Pa sc 00 lOseo also started. Won by n yard. Time — 3Gaec. Final: H. Reed. 6sec, 1; R. Koskella, scr, 2. R. Tredonnich 3sec and J. Wilson lOeoo also started. Koskella made a fine effort, but just failed to get up. Time—3i) 4-ssgCv 25YDS BALLOON RACE—H. Howard 1, R. Mortimer 2. HIGH DIVE—H. Sherwood 1. 100 YDS RELAY RACE, interclub—First best: Sydenham No. 1, Sseo, 1; Richmond No. 2, Osee, 2. Christchurch scr and East Christchurch No. 1 7sec also started. Sydenham won with a little in hand from Die r.ast Christchurch team, which was disqualified for starting from the wrong mark. Time—6lseo. Second heat: East Christchurch No. 2, 3seo, and Sydenham No. 2,4 sec (equal), 1. Richmond No. 3 lOsec and Addington No. 1 lOsec also started. The fourth member of the East Christchurch team finished very fast, just making a dead heat. Times—East Christchurch 61 l-acec, Sydenham 62 l-ssec. Third heat: Addington No. 2,13 sec, 1; Yaldhurst, Sseo, 2. Richmond No. 1 2sec, East Christchurch No. 3 2seo and Opawa, No. 2 3sec also started. Won by a yard, after a good race. Time—Msec.' Final: Sydenham No. 1 (C. Mearns, J. Howison, G. Hovrison and L. Gill), Sseo, 1; Addington No. 2 (W. Manhire, W. Nicoll, W. M’Cracken and A. Nicoll), 13sec, 2. East Christchurch No. 2 3sec, Sydenham No. 2 4soc, Richmond No. 2 6seo and yaldhurst Sseo also started. Addington made the most of the long start, but the Sydenham team swam well, and won by a yard, Richmond being close up third. Time—61sec. THE LAND SPORTS.

The land sports, which are inseparable from the programme of the Lyttelton carnival, were held in London Street, where a large crowd of interested spectators gathered. I There was some very close racing, competitors being numerous, and a strong comniittee managed the programme well. The following were the results: —

Shoii Boys’ Race, 200yds—Rees 1, O’Connor 2 School Boys’ Race, 100yds—Tekao 1, Rees 2. Sailors’ Race, • 200yds—Jansen 1, Norton 2. Married Women’s Race, 100yds—Mrs Smith 1, Mrs Hern 2, Mrs ChisnalL 3. Married Men’s Race, 800yds—S. Beck 1, J. Solomon 2, Taylor 3. Sack Race, 100yds—J. Lester 1, J. Quinlan 2. All-comers’ Race, 200yds—Green L Murray 2, S. Beck 3. Pick-a-back Race, 200yds—Kepple and Mills 1, W. and J. Moms 2. Three-legged Race, ISOyds— W. and J. Morris 1, Mills and Kelly 2. Allcomers’ Race. 440yds—Mills 1, Green 2, Beck ,■B. Maoris’ Race, 440yds—J. Solomon 1, F. Solomon 2. Tradesmen’s Race, 200yds—E. Green 1, Beck 2. Bandsmen’s Race, 200yds— Gommell 1, Harkiss 2. Maori Sol’s’ Race— Solomon 1, Tekao 2. THE FIREWORKS.

There was. it will be remembered, a fear that the fireworks display, -which for many years has been the closing scene of regatta day at Lyttelton, would this year be omitted. The financial support accorded to the committee did not, until a few days ago, warrant the members of that body incurring the responsibility of the expense attendant on the display in question. However, a “special effort” was made, and, largely through the generosity of one donor, a guarantee was obtained sufficient to insure the committee against monetary loss. Accordingly the fireworks blazed and sparkled last night, to the- delight of several thousands of people, and to the profit of those Lyttelton residents who devote their energies, on New Year’s Day, to catering for the visitors to the Port ; for it is said a very large; proportion of the mo'ney which the latter expend in Lyttelton is spent after the close of the regatta, and while they are waiting for the fireworks. About 8.30 p.m. H.M.S. Prometheus flashed her searchlight over the harbour, the hills, and the crowded streets of the town, affording a picturesque prelude to -what followed, a procession of boats, illuminated with lanterns of many hues, and burning coloured fires and Roman candles. These passed around the inner Harbour, while from the eastern breakwater rockets soared and fireworks of other kinds flashed and blazed. The whole display, which was directed by Superintendent Toomey, of the Lyttelton ‘ Fire Brigade, formed a successful final© to the day’s doings. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I wish to protest against the action of the promoters of the London Street sports at Lyttelton to-day in allowing men who are not bona fid© seamen to take part in the seamen’s race, in which they won first and second prizes.—l am, etc., H. 0. GAGE. Lyttelton, January 1, 1905.