AUCKLAND ANNUAL REGATTA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9111, 31 January 1893, Page 3

AUCKLAND ANNUAL REGATTA.

Patron: His Excellency Lord Glasgow. Vicfl- - Patrons: C. C. McMillan, Esq. (Chairman Auckland Harbour Board), W. Crowther, Esq. (Mayor of Auckland), A. Porter, Esq. (President of Chamber of Commerce). President : John Marshall, Esq. Vice-presidents : Dr. J. L. Campbeil, Thou. Henderson, Esq. (Manager Union S.S. Co.). Committee : G. S. Kissling (chairman), C. Bailey, C. Colebrook, Geo. Cozens, J. J. Craig, Captain A. J. S. Gibbs, J. B. Graham, J. Haliday, jun., S. Hanna, A. G. Harvey, T. Henderson, H. Hoffman, H. Horton, H. G. Kissling, T. McEwin, T. O'Connor, H. P. Purcell, and R. S. Reynolds. Umpire sailing races : Mr. G. S. Kissling. Judge sailing races : Mr. Geo. Cozens. Umpire rowing races : Mr. C. Colebrook. Judge rowing races : Mr.. G. S. Kissling. Starter sailing races.: Mr. R. S. Reynolds. Starter rowing races : Mr. C. P. Thomas. Auditor . Mr. O. B. Waymouth. Treasurer : Mr. A. H. Nathan. Secretary : Mr. Clias. Grosvenor. Yesterday the 53rd anniversary of the foundation of the colony, and of Auckland, was very generally celebrated, chiefest among the events of the day being a continuation of the regatta which opened on Saturday. Strangely enough, on that day the complaint was there was too much win d and sea for rowing; the grievance yesterday was that there was not enough of either tor sailing. The morning opened with plenitude of promise, and at nine o'clock, the time of gunfire for the first race, a nice easterly breeze was blowing. But towards noon it shifted to the southward; then it veered westerly; next it came in fitful puffs from all points of the compass, and finally settled down almost to a dead calm. Outside things must have been worse than they were nearer in the harbour, for boats failed to put in an appearance when there was wind with the flagship. Eventually, however, there was calm everywhere, and the few competing boats that were seen had to thank the tide rather than anything else for getting in. Towards four o'clock heavy clouds gathered over the city, and a change m the weather seemed certain ; shortly rain fell in torrents. Yet when that had passed over the calm was as dead as ever. Consequently there was no chance of the boats finishing their races. So at a quarter after six o'clock, there being then absolutely no wind, and the tide having commenced to ebb strongly, the judge, seeing there was no further possibility of any of the unfinished events being completed that evening, decided to land. Thus many of the principal events will have to be recontested at a future date. Disappointing as the day's want of result was to those deeply interested in the races it could not be helped; want of wind was the only thing wrong. The officials did all that was possible, and but for the lack of the one allessential the regatta could not have been anything but an unqualified success. The Union S.S. Co kindly delayed the departure of their steamer Taviuni from the port to enable her in act as flagship. As such, and gay with bunting, she was anchored a few hundred yards from the Queen-street wharf, which itself was lined with spectators during the day. The s.s. Fingal acted us tender to the flagship, and while the various events were proceeding conveyed subscribers and friends on board the Taviuni. The major portion of these, amongst whom were a large number of ladies, hoarded after lunch, and later in the afternoon a trip down Channel was taken," the judge being left on the Fingal to wait for the yachts which did not arrive. Throughout the whole of the day, and during the trip down the harbour, an excellent programme of music was rendered by the Waikomiti Band. The Taviuni proceeded about half-way to Tiritiri, and then returned to the Queenstreet Wharf, where all were safely landed, shortly before seven o'clock, all well pleased with the short sea- trip. After the vessel had been cleared, the members of the Regatta Committee invited Captain Smith and his officers into the saloon, where Mr. S. D. Hanna, in a neat speech, proposed the health of Captain Smith and his officers, thanking \ them both on behalf of the committee and the general public for the uniform courtesy that had been shown to all during the day. In response, Captain Smith said that all that had been done was in a spirit of friendship and goodwill, and lie was only too glad to be able to have assisted in making, the day's proceedings successful. In return, he proposed tho health of the committee, and the event closed with the expression of hope that on the next regatta such a fine boat as the Taviuni and courteous officers would be at the disposal of the public. The following is a list of the events : — Fishing Boats over 4 tons. First prize, £15; second prize, £5. Course: From flagship round mask boat off Paul's (Orakei) Bav, thence round mark boat placed three miles north of- Rangitoto reef; 'thence back again round mark' boat off Pauls .ijQrakei) . Bay; thence round Arawata ' rftwico round), coming in on south side of flagship.

Three boats, the Caprera,B tons, J. Pitoni. Mabel, 4.5 tons, G. Gain ; and the Maroro, A. Sanford (a post entry), competed. The first attempt at a start was a failure. ; all got away well together at tho second asking. The Mabel and Maroro went ' round H.I.G.M.S. Bussard, which lay in their course. Once together again the Caprera got the first benefit of a little stronger wind and made for Judges' Bay. The Mabel, however, who had kept to windward, was first round the mark boat at Orakei, the Maroro was second and the Caprera last. The Mabel maintained her lead for a long time; in fact it seemed as if she was bound to will as she was ahead when passing the Orakei mark the second time. The gun had been fired at a quarter to ten ; she passed the Arawata at Hi. 32m. 155.. the Maroro being about four minutes ahead of the Caprera. In this order they went down the harbour, the Maroro couching the ground, thus being delayed for some little time. Neither of the boats had made their appearance again when the judge gave up. Race unfinished.

Yachts, 7 tons rating and upwards. First prize, £40; second prize, £10. Course — same as the first race. The starters in this race were : Rona, 7 tons, A. H. Turnbull; Maratea, 7 tons, E. 1). Benjamin; Arawa, 9.22 tons, J. L. R. Bloomfield; Spray, 7 tons, Captain A. J. S. Gibbs; Muritai, 11 rating, C. H. Lushing ton. Amongst these were several old rivals, notably the Muritai and the Arawa, while the Rona was a now craft of the latest model. Great interest was, therefore, taken in this event. A good start was made punctually at 10 o'clock, all the yachts, with the exception of the Rona, carrying their jib topsails. She and the Muritai passed the Bussard to windward, but the Arawa showed the way down the harbour, the Rona and the Maratea being next. Still the Arawa kept to the front, across to the southern shore, and rounded the Orakei mark first. The Spray, however, beautifully sailed, crept up, and the Arawa had to give place. Captain Gibbs' craft rounded the Arawata at lh. 30m. 555., the Arawa at lh. 44m. 205,, the Muritai at lh. 47m. 155., and the Rona at lh. 57m. 10s., the Maratea being last. As they passed the flagship, tho crew of the Rona reported that they had been becalmed outside for over an hour. This fate must have overtaken all the craft later on, for this race was left unfinished.

Yachts, above 5-ton rating, and not exceeding 7 tons. First prize, £30; second prize, £7. Course : Same as the first race. • Starters Miharo, 5i tons, G. B. Wawman ; Aorcre, 6 tons, T. Kilfoyle ; Juvania, Stcadman, Whangarei. The two first of these yachts were new, the builders being Bailey and -Logan' respectively. The Rogue also was entered, but did not sail in this race. A start was I made at lOh. 17m. 305., the Miharo having much the best of the get away, the Juvania coming next. Crossing for the North Shore the Aorere got to windward of the Miharo, but by the time the Arawata was rounded, the positions wero again reversed, the times being—Aorere, lh. 45m.; Miharo, lh. 57m. 155.; with the Juvania some distance behind. After rounding the Arawata the Aorere increased her advantage, escaping the tide better than the others. Racy unfinished.

Fishing Boats, 4 tons and under. First prize, £12; second prize, £4. Course : From the flagship round mark boat off Paul's (Orakei) Bay; thence round the chequered buov; thence round mark boat off Paul's (Oralcei) Bay ; thence round the Arawata (twice round), coming in on the south side of flagship. Starters: Venice, 32 tons, P. Lomev; Brothers, 32 tons, C. Hewson; Rialto, 3J tons, A. Lomey; Mignonette, Gallagher; Minnie, Rolton. The two last-named were post entries. This was a pretty race, and one of the few sailed to a finish. The boats could not have been in better position when the signal for the start was given at lOh. 31m 20s. The Venice showed the way, the

Minnie being next. Before turning to come up the harbour again, however, the Minnie had given place to the Rialto. All had their spinnakers set in coming up; they rounded the Arawata as follows ;—Venice, 12h. 34m. 30s. ; Rialto, 12h. 35m. 305., and the othe s nearly together a couple of minutes later. It took as nearly as possible two hours for them to go around the course again, the positions in the meanwhile being unchanged.. Finally, the Venice passed the judge first, the Rialto being second. Venice ... ... ... ... ... 1 Riaito ... ... ... 2 Yachts, above 3-ton rating and not exceeding 5 tons. First prize, £15 ; second prize, £5. Course: From the flagship round mark boat off Paul's (Orakei) Bay ; thence round mark boat placed three miles north of Rangitoto reef; thence back again round mark boat off Paul's (Orakei) Bay ; once round, coming in on the south side of . the flagship. ]

Starters: Tangaroa, 3.11 tons, Lawford ; Kotiro, 3.1 tons, A. and O. Brett; Toroa, 3.2 tons, Clarke and Goadacre; Taniwha, Roberts; and Clio, Garnett. The two lastnamed were post entries. All were ready in time, and the Run fired punctually at eleven o'clock. The Clio took the tack towards the jetty; the other boats ran under the lee of the Bussard. The Toroa got a decided advantage in crossing, and took first place, and was soon well ahead to windward. The Kotiro was second, the Tangaroa third, and the Clio fourth, The Toroa kept her position, while the Tangaroa edged up next her, and the Clio ran third. In .this order they passed the flagship finally.

Toroa ... 1 Tangaroa ... ... 2 Clio ... " 3 Yachts, 3-ton rating and under. First prize, £20; second prize, £5. Course: Same as fourth race. Starters : Yum Yum, 2'32 tons, D. Carter and others; Corina, 2'l tons, R. and A. Logan; Rogue. '4 tons, F. Russell. This promised to be a very pretty contest, and it would have proved so had the wind held up. The Rogue was first under the stern of the flagship, but a cutter was right in her course, and she sustained a momentary check. She, however, still kept the lead 'of the Yum Yum. The Corina ran to windward of the German warship. She thus got ahead; the Sum. Yum, however, was first past the Arawata, but was again challenged by tire Corina for a time with success. By some stroke of luck, however, unseen from the flagship, the Rogue got clean away, and leaving the others becalmed won at 4.26, the start being at lh. 38m. 10s. When the Rogue finished neither the Yum Yum nor the Corina were in sight. About 6 o'clock, however, they came slowlv up with the tide, the Yum Yum being ahead. She however, did not trouble to pass the judgo, leaving the Corina to take second place. Rogue ... 1 Corina 2 Open Sailing Boats, over 16 feet and up to 20 feet.- First piiae, £8 ; second prize, £3. Course: From the flagship round mark boat off Paul's (Orakei) Bay, thence round the Sandßpit buoy, thence round the Arawata, (twice round), coming in on the south side of flagship. Starters: Pet, Geo. Cammell; Eileen, A. Miller; and Ibex, J. Saxon, the last-named being a post entry. Getting the better of the start, the Ibex led at first, but the breeze fall-

ing, the Eileen piloted. In this position they were lost sight of. Race unfinished. Open Sailing Boats, over 13 feet and up to 16 feet. First prize, £5 ; second prize, £2. Course : Same as seventh race.

Starters : May, 16 feet, R. Carder; Toy, 16 feet, H. Miller ; Elfin, 16 feet, A. McCorquodale ; Olive, 16 feet, A. Mobberley. Once down the harbour these boats, too, were unable to make any headway. Race unfinished.

Opkn Sailing Boats 13 feet and under.

First prize, £5 ; second prize, £2. Course : Same as seventh race. Starters : Una, W. Biddick ; Bit of Blue, Madigan and Skinner and Mary D. Reid. Bit of Blue showed the way the first time around the course, but the wind completely fell off. Race unfinished.

Maiden Whaleboats under 10 stone. First

prize, £10. Course : One mile straight.

Starters: North Shore R.C., Sullivan, Hynes, Clark, Brown, King, Spraggon (steer oar), and West End 8.C., H. Stevenson, R. Green, D. Stewart, H. McMillan, A. G. Jones, and J. Graham (steer oar). This was a capital race, West End leading nearly all the way, when they were passed by North Shore. .

North Shore R.C 1 West End R.C. 2 Junior Whaleboats.— Course: one mile

and a half, straight.

Prize, £10.

Starters: St. George's Rowing Club, A. Mcllardy (stroke), H. A. Marriner (4), 11. W. Montgomerie (3). E. Anderson (2), A. E. Whyte (1), H. Sanders (steer oar); Star of Manukau. C. Boneham (stroke). E. Sutherland, E. Pearce, H. Williams, K. Leathart, J. Sims (steer oar); Waitemata Boating Club, A. Hales (stroke), R. White (4), C. Shaw (3), W. Williamson (2), J. McConnell (1), E. Moore (steer oar). The St. George's crew had the best of this race all the way, pulling very even (about 48). The Waitemata's started very fresh, but slowed down as the time went on, splashing a good deal. The Onehunga representatives pulled gamely, but had to be contented with second place. Though the St. George's crew were much lighter than their opponents, they have trained consistently for some time past, and the result proved there is nothing like condition when the final tussle takes place. The result was :—

St. George's 1 Star of Manukriu ... 2 Waitemata.! ... ... ... '",..3

Senior Whaleboats.—Course: Two miles, straight. Prize, £10.

Starters : St. George's Rowing Club, A. McHardy (stroke). H. A. Marriner (4), H. W. Montgomerie (3), E. Anderson (2), A. E. Whyte (1), H. Sanders (steer oar); Waitemata Boating Club, No. 2, R. Thome (stroke), R. White (4), H. M. Goldwater (3), J. Lemnie (2), J. Waymouth (1), G. Moore (steer oar); Waitemata Boating Club, No. 1, R. Moore (stroke), T. B. O'Connor (4), J. Collins (3), J. Lemme (2), G. Tuck (1), B. Moore (steer oar). This was the most interesting event of the day, and was a splendid race. St. George's was the same crew as competed in the Junior's race. They had the best of the start, and maintained it all the way through. Both of the Waitemata crews pulled wildly at the start, and No. 2 crew soon dropped out of the race, leaving it for the No. 1 crew and St. George's to fight it out. Waitemata (No. 1) soon settled down to their work, and spurted occasionally, but never came up ac all on the St. George's crew. When off Mechanic's Bay the latter had a lead of fully half a length, pulling a beautifully even stroke. This position was maintained up as far as the Railway Wharf, when the St. George's gradually forced ahead, and at the finish were about three lengths ahead of Waitemata No. 1, the No. 2 crew not finishing* The successful crew were loudly cheered at the finish,