TAURANGA REGATTA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4482, 25 March 1876, Page 3

TAURANGA REGATTA.

A REGATTA was held at Tauranga on St. Patrick's Day. We abridge a report from the Bay of Plenty Times :— The s.s.- Rowena was kindly placed at the disposal of the public as flagship, and many availed themselves of the opportunity thus offered of witnessing the various races from one -of the best positions. Captain Marks, who acted as starter, and Mr. E. .E. Hamlin, as umpire, also performed their respective duties from the deck of the steamer. The natives mustered in great force, and entered several of their boats. The race for trading vessels, which was the first on the programme, it was feared would not come off, as there were only two cutters in the harbour until three o'clock in the afternoon, when Mr. Thomas Wrigley's cutter, the Vincent, opportunely arrived, and a very pretty race subsequently ensued. Of incidents of note there were hardly any throughout the day, and one accident only happened by the capsizing of the" Gipsy Queen in ; the seventh race, when the Government boat Mangaroa went to the rescue of the or err, and the race had consequently to be sailed over again. A fresh south-westerly breeze was blowing throughout the day,: which being a fair wind for sailing' both up and down the harbour, the best boat generally got away first and kept the lead throughout. The first race of the day was the Armed Constabulary Purse for four-oared boats with coxswain, first prize, £10; second prize, £3. Four started. for this race—the Tui, Rowena, Blue Jacket, and Mary Ann. A splendid race ensued between the two firstnamed boats, which kept close together all round the course, both crews evidently rowing their very best; but after a gallant strugglo the finish was as follows, the win- [ ning boat coming in about half-a-length ahead of the second:—Tui, 1; Rowena, 2; Blue Jacket, 3; Mary Ann, 4. Second Race.—Sailing boats under 24 feet keel. . First prize, £10; second prize, £3. Four boats started : Pet, Phantom, Mangaroa, and Silver of the Sea. This was a wrn-

ning race for the Mangaroa from the start, none of the others being able to come near her. The Silver of the Sea dropped out of the race after the first round, and the finish, with a long distance between each boat, was as follows :—Mangaroa, I: Phantom. 2 : Pet, 3- . Third Race.—War. canoe, limited to 24 j men. First prize, £15; no second prize being given, as three canoes only started. This race, from which great things had been expected, was rather disappointing in the result, as the natives did not seem to enter into it with that energy which it is known they can display if they like. Hamiora Tu's canoe took the lead at starting, and kept it till the finish. Hiahia's crew paddling in a tolerably good second. The third canoe was nowhere. . .. Fourth Race.—Trading Vessels of 10 tons •and upwards. • First prize, £25; second prize, £5. The cutters Maori, Glance, arid Vincent entering for the race. The lead was taken, and kept throughout, with one exception, by the Glance, though, when off the Graveyard, after rounding tho first buoy and ffie'Vincent was gomgia she cleverly got to windward of the two other vessels, and, taking the wind out of their sails, got tint position for a short time. The Glance soon resumed her original place, however. Several other minor matches took place.