THE PONSONBY REGATTA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9018, 3 April 1888, Page 6

THE PONSONBY REGATTA.

Although the weather was bright and clear yesterday, the strong westerly wind which prevailed, causing ' a considerable sea, militated greatly against the complete success of the Ponsonby Regatta. This was more particularly the case in regard to the rowing races, as the difficulty in getting the boats to the starting post in time caused an unavoidable delay, whioh threw the, whole programme behind, so much so that the racing was not finished till it was quite dark. There was a large concourse of spectators on the flagship, the Northern &S. Company's Clansman; and the issues of the various events were watched with eager interest from start to finish. The officers of the steamer vied with the committeemen in then- efforts to ensure the comfort and promote the amusement of those on board, and their endeavours were evidently appreciated, those of Mr. Ross, chief steward, certainly not the least. Captain Farquhar discharged the troublesome duty of starter with great zeal, while MT. T. Masefiold was kept busy in his dual office of umpire and judge. The day's proceedings were enlivened by the music supplied by Mr. A. R. Hunter's band, which played at intervals the following programme m first-class style:—Grand march, "The Iron Duke;" valse, "The Gipay Queen;" selection, "Impromptu;" mazurka, "Hilda;" overture, " The Golden Roseeuphonium solo, " The Mystic Chime;" quadrille, " Cynthiafantasia, " The Azure Lake;" valse, "True Love;" quadrille, "Belle Vue;" selection, " Sonnambulagallop, " Hard and Fast National Anthem.

, The races started at eleven o'clock, the first event being the

Four-ton Yacht Race.—Course, from south side of flagship, round boat off Sugar Works, thence round spit buoy, North Head, thence round Clara Hargreaves, twice round. There were four startersMignonette, 3 J tons, P. Gallagher ; Manola, 3£ tons, W. Holder ; Mascotte, 2£ tons, O. B. Waymouth ; Lita, 3 J tons, Hunt. They were despatched to a flying start, and on the run to the Sugar Works buoy the Lita took the lead, and the mark boat was rounded in the following order: Lita, Manola, Mignonette, Mascotte. In the run down all set spinnakers, and the Manola passed the Mignonette, the Lita keeping well inshore third, and the Mascotte next. These positions were altered little during the run down, save that the Mascotte got into third place. A close race ensued between the Mignonette and Manola to the finish, the latter just winning, with the Mascotte some little distance behind.

Yachts Under J Tons.—A quartette of boats faced the starter for this event, namely : Kiwi (T. Bowden), Maud (E. Dowden), Cremona (J. Mouzer), Mayflower (T. Hewson). The course was one round of that for the previous race. The Kiwi led to the Sugar Works' buoy, which was rounded Kiwi first, Mayflower second, Cremona third, Maud last. On the run past the flagship the Kiwi and Mayflower were about level, and the Maud had taken third place. The latter boat improved her position rapidly, and rounded the North Shore buoy first. On the roat up she was not headed, and came in with something to spare from the Kiwi, which was followed by the Mayflower, the Cremona being distanced.

Open Sailing Boats.—This event was limited to craft under 18 feet in length, and there were but two starters, the Beata (Bailey) and Ailleen (Harington). Ridings' Belle split her mainsail just before the start, and could not compete. The two competitors were pretty evenly matched, and a splendid contest ensued, the Beata eventually winning by about a minute.

Open Sailing Boats under 13 Feet.— The starters were : Una (Biddick), Star (Parkinson), Ida (Gillies), Romp (Owen), Glanoe (Petley). The Romp got a slight lead up to the sugar works buoy, which she increased in the run down the harbour. She was never passed, ar.d won with ease, the Star being second, and Ida third.

Amateur Scullers. — Owing to the roughness of the water this, as well c,s all the gig races, had to be rowed inshore, at several hundred yards distance from the flagship, consequently the races were very difficult to follow. The starters were A. H. Jones, W. Bailey, . and W. Harris. Bailey shipped some water at the start, and did not persevere, and Harris took a lead, and although hard pressed by Jones managed to win comfortably.

Junior Gigs.—Three crews went out for this race, butthe St. George's boat swamped shortly after the start, and its occupants were picked up with some little difficulty by the starter's boat. This left Ponsonby and West End to contest the race, and the latter won after a good race, Ponsonby being handicapped by a faulty rowlock. The names of the winning crew were H. Griffiiths (stroke), R. Speers, A. Jones, and R. Jack.

Dingieß (for rowers under 21). —A. fine field of five started, their names being C. Farquhar, H. Kissling, Alf. Bailey, T. Sullivan, R. Masefield. Farquhar went away at a rattling pace and had a big lead at the turning point, but being cramped had to stop. The issue of the race then lay between Sullivan and Masefield who made a very tough struggle for supremacy, but the latter came away at the finish and won with something in hand, Kissling being third.

Senior Whaleboats.—The course for this race was from the s. s. Rowena to buoys off the Watchman and back to the flagship. Crews from the Waitemata, North Shore, and Ponsonby Clubs started and a hot race ensued from the start. The North Shore got a lead coming up, but Waitemata drew on level terms with them passing the Clansman, and a fine struggle ensued as the three boats headed out into the stream For their mark boats. North Shore got round slightly after the Waitematas, but starting quicker, took the lead. The Waitemata rowed home in grand style, and a hundred yards from the flagship seemed as if they would win, but North Shore got on a final spurt, and won by a quarter of a length.

Maiden Gigs (rowers under 10 stone). There were two boats from the Ponsonby Club, and one from the West End started, but one of the former swamped. The race thus lay between Ponsonby's No. 1 crew and West End, and the former won easily. The orew was : P. Scott (stroke), V. Maxwell, H. Swales, A. Mclndoe. *

Dingies (rowers under 14). Three small boys rowed with great vigour in this event, but V. Masefield won easily from W. Cossar, R. Houghton being third. 'Junior Whaleboats. — field of four went to/the post, comprising crews from the Waitemata, Cry. Ponsonoy, and West End Clubs. The City got away with a fine swinging stroke, and the buoys were rounded by the City first, Ponsonby second, Waitemata third, and West End last. This order was maintained to the finish, although Ponsonby came up close to the City towards the end of the race.

Log Race.This was a very amusing event, and none of the three competitors escaped a ducking. A. Witticombe showed himself to be the most expert in preserving his balance on his uncouth craft, aud won by half a length from Petley, who capsized at a critical moment, while Ward, the third man, was hopelessly in the rear.

Senior Gigs.—This race was started at the Railway Wharf > the West End crew being the only ones who came to the post. They had not gone far before the Ponsonby crew, who "had been delayed, joined* issue with them, and after a brief tussle took the lead and came in first with some ease. The race will probably have to be rowed again. Maiden Whale boats. —Representatives of the City, West End, Waitemata, and Ponsonby Clubs started, but shortly after starting each of the two latter crows had the misfortune to break an oar, and consequently retired. The City men held the West End easily, and won . by several lengths. Under and Over Canoe Race.—This was the most exciting race of the day, and was splendidly contested by the four starters. 6. Petley and Wardell were the first over the hurdle— not without a spill--closely followed by C. Petley and C. Farquhar, A. and G. Farquhar being third. This order was maintained until the obstacle had to be negotiated the second time,< in doing which the leaders partially swamped, and C. Petley and C. Farquhar, coming up with a strong rush, won. Dinoiks (rowers under 18). There were four starters— Bailey, C. Farquhar, E. Bailey, and W. H. Cooke. A good race resulted in Cooke 'winning, Bailey being second. , . - . • Maiden Ponsonby and West End contested this race, and the former's crew (W. Edwards, P. Scott, V. Maxwell, and

J. Conway) won with ease; but, as the starter stated the crews had begun to pull without his order, the event,will .likely be rowed over at some future date. International •' Canoe *; Race. There we - two pairs" and one-single. paddler started for this event, the canoes being ail Maori ones.-, the Outrigged island: canoes being found to-have little t chance. • , After a close race A- ' and G. Farquhar "came "in first, PetleV rind Wardell second,/and 0. Farquhar close up third. 1: ' i*'' The rapidly-increasing darkness caused the competitors in the Tub Race and greasy boom to drop out, and the events* lapsed. '