ANNIVERSARY DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8963, 30 January 1888, Page 5

ANNIVERSARY DAY.

The anniversary of the colony of New Zealand and of the province of Auckland will be celebrated to-day, as the date, the 29th of January, falling on Sunday, it was decided to hold the popular sports to-day, and make this the public holiday. As usual, the most liberal provisions have been made by caterers for public amusement for outdoor enjoyments. The annual regatta in our noble harbour is, of course, the principal attraction. The regatta has been the mode of celebration of the anniversary since the foundation of the colony, and none could be more appropriate. The Takapuna races, which were commenced on Saturday, will bo continued to-day, and will prove a great attraction. In addition to these leading features there are a number of sea excursions and picnics which will afford pleasure to those who prefer them to the more exciting spectacles of the regatta and the racecourse. THE REGATTA. Should the weather prove favourable the regatta of ISSB promises to attain, if not surpass, tho high standard of success that has always attended similar carnivals in past years. The entry lists have, notwithstanding the dull times, been well-filled, and the general equality of merit of the competitors, is a guarantee of close contests in all tho races. The convenience of the public has been carefully considered in all the arrangements made by the committee, and all who patronise the aquatic meeting may be assured that a splendid day s sport will be afforded them. The flagship, the Waitangi, has already been moored in the stream in a central position, from which a good view of all the events will be commanded by the spectators; while the name of Captain Leeman is an ample warranty that the comfort of his guests will be sufficiently attended to. In the tender provided for the conveyance of passengers to and fro, an excellent choice has been made in the Awhina, as she is steady and roomy, and has excellent facilities for landing her passengers without personal inconvenience. An efficient band has been engaged, and will play at intervals, while the creature comforts of the patrons of tho flagship will bo carefully looked after by Mr. T. McEwen, who has made arrangements for the accommodation of '250 people at the luncheon table. Among tho amusements specially provided for those on the flagship will be the time-honoured greasy boom and duck hunt, while a punt party of minstrels from H.M.a. Opal will also be present.

THE WHALEBOAT RACE. [r.Y JASON.J Among the dozen events that will come up for decision that upon which most interest hinges is, undoubtedly, the Champion Whaleboat Race, which gives promise of being a magnificent struggle for supremacy among the seven crews engaged. The names of these have been already published, and heir doings have been eagerly watched during the past few weeks, with the result that each of the competitors has been backed heavily to win, although the betting market has shown a variety of degrees of odds against the several candidates, the race bears a very open aspect, and to select, one crew as the probable winner is a task of extreme nicety. The first favourites are the last year's champions, the Waitcmata crew, which, although not exactly the same in personnel as the winners in 1887, is not considered j at all inferior on that score. The crew is the heaviest of those engaged, averaging 12st 41l>, and the live oarsmen are men of powerful physique and long reach. They have undergone a careful course of training, ami are said to be in excellent fettle. The good work done by the crew and their position in public favour entitle them to great respect, and although thinking them dangerous I will pass them by for first place. The North Shore boat, which is a very light one, just built for the race, contains a sterling crew of finished oarsmen who may be dej>ended upon to give a good account of themselves. They are somewhat light, averaging 10s 11 Alb, and although in the pink of condition may possibly lack the necessary strength to finish a hard-fought' race. They arc highly thought of by their club, and are quietly confident. Of the City crew two of the last year's champions are members, and the remaining oarsmen are all good rowers and strong men. When the turn round the buoys comes to be taken I fancy however they will be outclassed, and will not get into one of the coveted places. The Manukau men showed of what mettle they were last year when, though evidently undertrained, they pulled a game race. Their condition has this year been a matter of great care, and they are reported as very lit. They have a good boat, and are credited with having done a trial in rough water in twenty-six minutes, and may be counted on as dangerous opponents. Great things have been spoken of the Northern Wairoa crew, and a larger sum of money has been risked on their ability to win than upon any other crew, and the opinion of boating men concerning their new craft is also very favourable, though she is of peculiar build. Should they row in her it is likely if the water is smooth they will occupy a prominent position, and even if the Hauraki is used their chance of winning will not be decreased, and they will be in the front rank at the finish. The crew from the Opal is one which has been very slightingly passed over by the majority of those who take an interest in the race, owing probably to their lack of training. The crew, however, is a very powerful one, and rows a very fast stroke, but the men are unused to the style of whaleboat in which they are now rowing, and will, I think, be somewhat out when the gun fires. The lightest team in the race is the Ponsonby crew, whose average is but l()st Sib, but their want of weight does not discount their chance cf annexing the prize. Although this is their first venture in a champion racc, the sterling work done by them in practice entitles them to great respect, and I esteem their prospects very highly. Altogether the best of the seven crews seem to lie tho Waitemata, North Shore, Wairoa, and Ponsonby, and I anticipate that the finish will be fought out between the second and fourth of these, with a preference for Ponsonby, while I look to Waitcmata to fill tho third place, with Wairoa for a boil-over. As the sailing races depend so much upon the strength of the wind, I will not venture to predict any result beyond, saying that the largo yacht race will most likely, despite handicap, be fought out between the Arawa and Matangi, while in the event for yachts under six tons I consider the Jessie Logan equal to the task of putting down the Ariel, who should be her closest attendant.

In the Amateur Whaleboat Race as good a struggle is likely to take place as in the champion, and the order in which the crews will finish will probably be : Ponsonby 1, Waitemata 2, North Shore 3. The Naval Cutter Race brings out a field of four, and of these the Auckland Naval crew should win, with the mcn-o'-war's men from the Opal pushing them hard. The Manukau crew will not leave Onehunga till one o'clock, as their trainer wishes to keep them quiet until the time of starting in the race. Their boat, which was taken out of the water on Friday and carefully polished on Saturday afternoon, will be forwarded by the twenty minutes past eight train. Among the many trophies given for presentation as prizes, Mr. G. C. Dacre, the secretary of the Regatta Club, desires to acknowledge the gift of a handsome inlaid table from Mr. W. Norrie, a substantial silver coffee-pot from Mr. A. 0. Bartlett, and a case of Robertson's best whisky from Messrs. King, Walker, and Company. This latter donation was offered as a prize to the minstrels from the Opal, but as it was "agin the rules of the sarvico" the tap could not accept it. EXCURSIONS. The usual number of water excursions have of course been arranged to take place to day. • Trips are to be made as follow :— Putiki Bay.—The s.s. Rose Casey will leave for Putiki Bay, Waiheke, at nine o'clock this morning. Fates have been fixed at moderate rates. Kawau. —To-day the island home of Sir George Grey will probably be the trystingplace of numerous picnicking parties. The s.s. Clansman will leave for the island at ten a.m., the return fare being -a. .An excursion trip to Kawau will be run at ten o'clock by the s.s. Stormbird, 'is being also the return faro in this instance.

Mahuiiangi Heads. —Thes.s. Wellington will leave for Mahurangi Heads at ten o'clock.

St. Heliers.—An excursion trip will be run at ten o'clock to St. Helicrs Bay by the s.s. Douglas, and the Vivid will also make two trips thither at ten a.m. and at noon.