THE COMING REGATTA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5337, 24 December 1878, Page 2

THE COMING REGATTA.

The Regatta Committee met on Friday at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, and tho secretary Mr. Burgess, brought np the revised rules’ which were then adopted. Considerable alterations have been made, and copies will be issued within a few days to subscribers and competitors. The principal alterations are those referring to the sailing boats. Hitherto time allowance has been simnlv on the length of the boat, but under the new regulations length, depth, and beam are measured. Several difficulties have arisen on previous 'occasions regarding* vessels not being allowed to drop their anchors during a race when the wind had died away, but provision is made that this is allowable, provided the anchor is weighed and not slipped. Hitherto restriction was only made with reference to vessels bearing away needlessly, and thereby causing another vessel to go out of her course, but the revision provides also for luffing, which will thereby prevent much inconvenience toothercompetitors. onlookers have often noticed the difficulty the starter has in getting a race away at the appointed time in consequence of the perverseness of one or two competitors, but the revised rules are very stringent on this point, and give the starter authority to disqualify the delinquents at onee. The restriction as to lead ballast was also under consideration, and it is now decided that lead ballast can be carried, or any other except water. A good working committee has been elected, and there is no doubt that the forthcoming regatta will be one that the city has every reason to be proud of.