ONEHUNGA REGATTA.

New Zealander, Volume XXII, Issue 2371, 7 March 1865, Page 6

ONEHUNGA REGATTA.

This event, which has been looked forward to with great interest by the people of Oiiehunga. came off on Thursday, and was in every respect a decided success. The day was exceedingly fine, and the sun shone forth in resplendent brilliancy, wbi e the light breeze which prevailed ihroujzhout the day rendered it alike acceptable to visitors and the various competitors in the races.

About 11 o'clock, the hour fixed for the first race, a large concourse of spectators, not only on board the flag-ship, but also on the wharves, and upper balcony of the Goya! Hotel, which latter place commands! a most splendid view of the harbor and of ail the races of the day. In fact, every place from which a good view of the races could bo obtained, was studded with spectators. Tbe fl.ig-sbip and other vessels in harbor, ai.d the Eoyal Hotel wern gaily decorated with flags, so that the town presented a most animating and joyous appearance. Nearly all the shops were closed, and every one seemed apparen ly bent on leaving tor awhile the anxieties of business, and enjoying a real good holiday. The flagship for the occasion was the schoor.cr 'Willing Lass' in command of Capt Nicholson; and that ample accommodation might be afforded to all parties, the p.s. ' Lady Barkly' lay alongside. A gangway was fixed between the two vessels, and "by this means 'he passage from one vesssel to the other was rendered comparatively easy. Mr. N. Reid, of the Royal Hotel, catered for the supply of the refreshments, in which we may mention he gave the greatest satisfaction to his patrons. Captain Parnall acted as starter, and Capt. Christy as umpire, and discharged their duties with great satisfaction to the public aud the competitors. The first race was for four-oared gigs, steered by rudder. First prize, £2O; second prize. £lO. Course : From the north side of the flagship, round the south side of the brig Moa ; round the north of the flag beacon (moored off the Government wharf), coming: in north side of flagship. There were five entries for this race, which was an exceedingly good one The Manukau Maid, Oddfellow and Amatrur took the lead for some distance, leaving the other bo <ts behind The Oddfellow, however, very soon took the lead of the other two boats, the boats coming iu, in the following order : Oddfellow 1 Amateur .. ... .. ... 2 The other boats came in almost together about 7 or 8 minutes after.

The second rare was for sailing vessels under 10 tons. First prize, £ls; second prize, £7 10s. Course game as first race.

Six boats entered for this race. The Surprise kep* in ad vance of the other vessels throughout. There was but a light hreez« blowing and the race consequently occupied a considerable portion of time. The following was the order in which they came in : Surprise i Garibaldi 2 Kent 3 The third race was for Watermen's boats plying for hire, pulled by a pair of oars, without coxwain. First • rize, £lO ; second prize, £5. Course same as first race. There were four entries, but ouly two boats started—the Seven n'tars and the Caroline. The Seym Stars had by far the best of the race, and came in in advance of the Caroline by a considerable distance. For the fourth race, which was for ship's gigs pulled by four oars, there were no entries. The fifth race was for sailing vessels from 10 tons upwards. First prize siWer cup, value £l6, gift of H» Hanlington. Esq .with £ls added; second prise, £lO. Course from the north side of flagship round south side of the brig Moa, round the north of the flagbeacon, twice round, coming in north side of flagship. Eight boats started in this—the George, Dante,. Coustant, Aqnilla, Mary Ann, Favorite, Elfin Queen, and Dart. The race was a very good one. The breeze somewhat oft'in the first tune round the course, causing the vessels to he a long time in making running. The boats came in, in the following order;— Elfin Queen 1 Favorite ... .. 2

Wairoa 3 Dante... ... .. ... .. 4 The rest nowhere. Sixth Race. Sculler's Match, open to all New Zealand, for boats built, in Xew Zealand, pulled by a pair of sculls. First prize, silver cup, v .lue 10 guineas, the gift of J. Cook, Esq., with £5 added ; second prize, £5. Course, same as first race. Four entries, one being a post entry, the Citizen. The boats that staned were the Citizen, Unknown, Faugh-a-Ballugh, and Just-in-Timp. Faugh-a-Ballagh took the ead and maintained it throughout. Two of the boats, the Unknown and Just-in-Time paired off. Faugh-a-Ballagh I Citizen 2 Seventh Rack. For Flat-bottom Sailing Badges. First prize, £i 5,. second p.ize, The Trial, Wallamet, Fearnought, and Jenny Lind, started. Trial led, and kept it through ; the other boats keeping well up. Trial 1 Wellamet ..2 Jenny Lind ... ... ••• 3 Eighth Race. For Dingts not more than 13 teet over-all, pulled by lads under 16 years of age, one only in each boat,. First prize, £3; second prize, £1 10s. Course from the flag-ship round the north of the flag beacon, coming in the north side of the flag-ship. This was the most interesting race of the day's sport. An excellent start was made, and the boats kept well

together throughout. Champion •• 1 Rose 2 The other two boats, the Stanley and the Flatfish, came in nearly together, the Stanley being a bare half boat's length ahead. Ninth Race. ■ Post entry match for Sailing Vessels of any class. First prize, £ls ; second prize, £5. Course same as fifth race, twice round. The entries were, the Emily, Kent, Wairoa, Constant, Fabricate, and Dante. There was a good start, and the match was well sailed, but the wind was very light. Wairoa '" * Fabricate .. 2 Dante 3 Tenth Race. For Pulling Boats, of any class with pair of oarswithout coxswain. First prize, ladies purse, containing £ls or more; second prize, £5. The entries were, The Pamell Youth, Just-in-tirae, Unknown, and Oddtellow. Just-in-time started a lmlfr in advance ; the Oddfellow overhauled and kept ahead until rounding the flag beacon, when Just-in-time again led, and kepi it all the way home. Just-in-time .. 1 Oddfellow 2 Unknown ; 3 Tletenth Race. Duck Hdnt. Flagship subscription. £3 15. As usual the hunt created much amusement and when the first hunt was concluded by the capture oi the bird, a second subscription was got up for a n °l race. This time, however, the duck was not to be had, for he showed a clean p«ir of web feet for it, and got clear off ; the second purse of course remaining with the subscribers. . I here was a twelfth race got up in lieu of the 4tn race, in the programme, for which there' were no entries. The race was for sailing boats under 5 tons ; no second prize; first prize a silver cup, the gift of N* Asher, of Auckland, with £5 a lded. The race was started very late, and it was nearly dark before theboats came up. The Kent took the lead and kept it throughout the race.

Kent \ , This concluded the aquatic sports, but for delectation of the Natives on land there" was a foot race and various games, white the sedate were allowed an opportunity of seeing the wonderful African ox, and the extraordinary Egyptian goat—for a consideration. —•' New-Zealander," February 3.