JUBILEE FESTIVITIES AT RUSSELL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8178, 13 February 1890, Page 6

JUBILEE FESTIVITIES AT RUSSELL.

NATIVE MEETING.

RESULTS OF THE REGATTA. [by telegraph.— reporter.] • Russell, Wednesday. The Jubilee Regatta festivities passed off very successfully to-day. About 200 excursionists came from the North, and numbers from Kawakawa and inland—about 700 altogether. A concert was given by the Opals and Hunter's Band, and a dance on Tuesday night, both being crowded. The weather was bright, with a nice breeze. At eleven o'clock this morning Sir John Thurston and Captaib Bosanquet came ashore, and were received by the Ngapuhi chiefs, also by Mr. Hobbs, M.H.R., and Mr. Bishop, R.M. Five chiefs, MitaTitai, Pomare, Wi Tete, Tane Hara, and Tui Penetane gave characteristic addreises|of welcome, referring to the Waitangi treaty as a precious heirloom from their forefathers, and mentioning their fidelity to the Queen during the war. Sir John Thurston replied on behalf of Lord Onslow, and read an address sent by him, which stated bis regret at being absent when the natives and Europeans met as one people to celebrate the Jubilee of the signing of the treaty. The terms of the treaty would always be kept firmly by his Government, and he hoped the natives would still continue to value its advantages. Sir J. Thurston added that, for himself, he thanked them for their kind expressions of welcome. Captain Bosanquet, on behalf of the Admiral, expressed regret for the latter's nonattendance, and invited the Maoris to visit the Opal. Cheers for the Queen, Lord Onslow, Sir John Thurston, and the Admiral terminated the interview. All the population of the district lined the beach, or were on the flagship Clansman, and all business premises were decorated. The following are the results of the regatta : — First Race: Maori canoes.—Two crews 35 men each. _ A grand contest neck and neck for two miles, and won after a desperate finish by £>. quarter of a length*by Tawatawa, manned by the Kapotai hapu; Omapere second.

Second Race : 20 feet sailing craft.— (Logan), Jubilee (S. Dove), and Clanssa (T. Joyce) started, and there was a good race between the first two, but the Era won by 3min. The Jubilee protested for alleged foul.

Third Race : Pulling Whaleboats.— started, and after some interesting interchange of positions, Pukipuki's Victoria won by a couple of lengths ; Mita Titai's Tovvai, 2; Cooka Alaska, 3. Fourth Rack : 16 feet Sailing Boats.— Farquhar's Alice, Walker's Scout, and Irvine's Star were the competitors. A good race, but the Alice was sailed well, and won by nearly three minutes. Fifth Race : Men-o'-war Craft, all comers — Opal's whaler, 5 men; galley, 6 men ; and two cutters, 10 men each, started, Lieutenant Tyrwhitt conducting the race. After a stubborn struggle, the galley got away, and led for a long way, but No.*l cutter beat the whaler, at the finish, the result being : Opal's galley, 1; No. 1 cutter, 2; whaler, 3; ISo. 2 cutter, 4. The latter, a very heavy boat, pulled a grand race, and were received with cheers.

Sixth Race : Whaleboats, to be propelled bv native paddlers.—Four started. Mitai Titai's Towai got the lead early, and kept it to the finish, but an excellent contest for second place resulted in the General being second, Company third. Seventh Race : Eighteen-feet Sailing Boats. —Three started, and a very exciting race ensued, all keeping close together from the start to the finish. The result iras : Farquhar's Alice, 1 ; Cook's Swindle, 2, 50s. behind; and Durant's Mary, 3, 775. behind. Eighth Race : Fourteen - feet Sailing Boats.—Three started, but the race was rather straggling, and Erson's Nell won by a quarter of a mile from Anderson's Annie; Brown's Dart, half a mile away, third. Ninth Race : Sailing Whaleboats.— were five competitors, and after a good struggle the Towai led first round. Victoria second, but the Cape York afterward? displaced the Victoria. Mitai Titai's Towai won by half a mile. Walker's Cape York second, and Joyce's Tutanekai third. The proceedings throughout the day were very animated, and all enjoyed themselves. Hunter's Band played splendid music all day, and Captain Farquhar and his officers, though the ship was crowded on both trips up North and to-day, made everyone comfortable. The festivities wound up with a ball in the public hall, largely attended. The Clansman left at 1 a.m. with the return Northern excursionists.