RACE BETWEEN THE 'MAGIC AND THE 'WAITANGI'.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5630, 2 December 1879, Page 6

RACE BETWEEN THE 'MAGIC AND THE 'WAITANGI'.

• The Sydney Morning Herald of the 24th gives the following account of the race between the Magic and the AVaitaogi : — " We hare in past seasons been accustomed to look upon the first-olaaa match of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron as a contest between the Magic and Mistrel; but in tho match on Saturday the commodore's yacht did not entei , an appearance, from which it would seem that she has had enough of racing with Mr. Alfred Fairfax's yacht. The Waitangi, however, a cutter of 22 tons, built at Auckland, and said to bo on the lines of the celebrated 20-tonuer Vanessa, came against the Magic, but the latter gavo her such a shakiug-off that she is never likely to again tackle her on the samo conditions as Saturday's race wai sailed uuf.er. It was arranged that the match should begin at noon, and by that hour the yachts were in position—Magic, 2S tons, A. Fairfax, being close to Macquarie's Point; and Waitangi, 22 tons, John Fewton, close by. The Prince of Wales steamer was iu attendance with a tew members of the club on board, and followed the match. Commodore Gilchrist started them at G minutes 30 seconds past noon in a very faint westerly wind. The Waitangi payed off quickest, and went away with tho lead, and as the two yachts drifted for the point off Garden Island there was a good deal of shifting head sail, aa the true wind had noi yot come in. Both yachts fetched across tho harbour under the influence of a north-ea9t puff, and half-way between Mossniau's Bay and Athol Waitangi crossed Magic, hovu about, and as they came away on the port tack, the wind broke in from south-east and pipad to a pretty lively tune. Magic rounded Bradley's Head with a alight lead, and increased it rapidly as they ran off the wind for the North Head. Outside the wind fell light, but ere tho mark boat at Long Itec , was reached it came up much stronger than before. Magic ran uuder her big topsail all the way to tho boat, but tho Waitangi's crew, inore cautious, sent theirs below when off Outer Manly. The Long lloef boac was hauled round by Magic at 1 hour 40 minutes 10 seconds, by Waitangi at 1 hour i>l minutes. The beat back was maiked by a hard wi'jd from south, and inclining a little to the eastward. double-reefed her mainsail and stood off for a s.iort tack, and again put about wide off Curl Curl. Waitarjgi made one long leg off ahore, without reefing, aud slio siood well up under her heavy press of canvas, but failed to get smartly through tLo wa-.tr. Both yachts were put about at 3.15 p.m., the Waitangi very far off shore. Magic entered the Hta Is wi'.li a lead of nearly two miles, and fetched up off Double Bay, where she tacked, and in the end of tho next board she went about round the flagboat in Kose Bay at 3 hours 14 minutes 50 seconds. Waitangi rounded the same place at 3 hoars 32 minutes 10 seconds, and sent a big topsail aloft; but the Magic was such a long way ahead that all interest in the race ceased. Fort Denisoa was rounded by Magic 3 boure 30 minutes 10 seconds; by Waitangi at 3 hours 4G minutes 25 seconds. Magic shook oat her reefs when passing Bradley's Head. The run to the lightship was then made, but no change worthy of note took place ; and, after both had again gone round the boat in Rose Bay, the race ended at Fort Macquaire by Magic winning at 4 hours 38 minutes 25 Beconda. Waitangi caine in at 4 hours 52 minutes 10 seconds.

The McGledes have suffered considerable through what occurred, not only in regard to tho terror they were iu, but in injury done to their property, and some memorial will probably be forwarded to the Government with the object of obtaining for them some compensation for the loss they have sustained.