THRONG AT ONERAHI

Northern Advocate, 30 January 1936, Page 6

THRONG AT ONERAHI

REGATTA A BRILLIAN SUCCESS,

The super-optimist of the Whangarei Harbour Regatta Association would not have visualised the scene as was presented by its initial carnival yesterday. It is, estimated that 4000 people revelled in the sun at Onerahi, and a more pleasant way of passing the Anniversary Day holiday could not be desired.

In all respects, the regatta was outstanding success. The weather was perfect, and the organisation reflects great credit on the president, Mr P. Basley, and secretary, Mr Harry Patterson, and their committee, whose sterling work deserved to reap such reward.

The yachting and launch events were staged from the flagship anchored in the stream. Officials on shore were kept in touch with the results per medium of Boy Scout signallers. The Cruising Club, which conducted this section of the regatta, did its part well. In the two races for yachts, 16 feet and under, it incorporated the season’s championship and one of the Palmer Cup series. Both events were won by the Sunbeam, which found the breeze to her liking. Other trophies competed for were; Harbour Board Cup, for launches with a speed of over eight knots, donated by the Whangarei Harbour Board in 1918, won by Mr A. Wilkinson’s Aloha; Maurer Cup, for speedboats, won by Ces Wright’s Miss Music; Cruisers’ Cup, donated by Mr W. G. Dudley in 1924, won by Mr W. Reynold’s Whati; Sheen Cup, for A class yachts, won in the first contest by Mr A. Carmichael’s Revel; Eccles Cup, for yachts 16 feet and under, Mr S. Bell’s Sunbeam; Simmons Cup, for yachts, 16 feet and under, Mr S. Bell’s Sunbeam. In the rowing section, the Fisher Cup (youths’ fours), East Palmer Cup (heavy maidens), and cups donated by the association for all other events, were at stake. The swimming aod land events all carried trophies. As a mark of respect in the untimely death of a fellow member, Mr lan McRae, all rowing club members wore black crepe.

Rowing 1 . Junior Fours, one and a half miles.— O. Bindon (stroke), T. Clark, F. Hollows, C. Dempster, 1; T. Conway (stroke), L. Lovatt, J. Thornley, R. Church, 2; P. Gardner (stroke), M. Lulic, J. Whiteman, T. Potter, 3. Only starters. Won easily by four lengths. Special Challenge Race, one mile.— P. Gardner and T. Clark (pair), 1; T. Conway (stroke), . Lovatt, Lulic, Church, 2; O. Bindon (stroke), Cormack, Hollows, Dempster 3. Only competitors. Won by 1| lengths, with inches between second and third.

Launches.

Speed Boat Race, about 7J miles.— Ces Wright’s Miss Music (scr), 1; S. Guest’s Fleetwing (Imin), 2. J. L. Covacich’s Imp (6min) pulled out. at the end of the first of the three laps. Miss Music’s engine almost cut out three or four times, but she took command after one,, and a half laps had been left behind, and finished the course 50 yards in front. Harbour Board Cup, for launches with speed of 8 knots or over, about lh miles.—A. L. Wilkinson’s Aloha (9min), 1; W. Reynolds’ Whati (3min), 2; O. Mann’s Bernice (lOJmin), 3. Six started in the big event of the day and, as in the speedboat race, keen interest was manifest. It was not long before the Aloha had overtaken the Moerangi, and was leading the field. As the race progressed, it was obvious that nothing had a chance with her. The Whati, which went so well in the cruisers’ race, was rehandicapped, but pulled up very well to finish about 300 yards behind for second place. The Bernice was third home. These were the only craft to complete the course, the others withdrawing when their position was hopeless. The finishing times were:— Aloha, 4hr 45min, 1; Whati, 4hr 46min, 2; Bernice, 4hr 48min, 3.

Yachts. Auxiliary Yacht Race.—A. Carmichael’s Revel (scr), 1; W. Bissett’s Colonist (lOmin), 2. Running: Events. A section of the crowd sauntered along to the old railway station yard in the afternoon to witness or participate in a programme of land events. Good fields were the order in every case, and the handicapping left little to be desired.

The children were alert when lolly scrambles were to their benefit, and were also made the recipients of toys. The sports were quickly run off thanks to good work by the following committee: —Messrs F. C. Frogley, K. Wright, Tunstall, Fagan, Monkhouse and Drummond.

Boys under s.—Ray Noone 1, Roy Davis 2. Girls: M. Valentine 1, M. Franich 2.

Boys under 9.—E. Adams 1, O. McLean 2. Girls: First race, E. Cranston 1, J. Johnson 2; second race, B. Valentine 1, N. McLean 2.

Boys under 12.—C. Beehre 1, D. Tierney 2. Girls: M. Brott 1, N. Ogier 2. Girls under 15.—L. Going 1, D. Conaghan 2. Boys: S. Hill 1, J. Mason. 2.

Single Ladies.—L. Going 1, D. Conaghan 2.

Three-legged Race. —R. Muir and K French 1.

Married Ladies’ Race. —Mrs Holmes 1, Mrs McLean 2. Married Men.—Mr Broomfield 1, Mr J. Williams 2.