ANNIVERSARY REGATTA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11597, 11 March 1901, Page 3

ANNIVERSARY REGATTA.

AUCKLAND'S AQUATIC CARNIVAL REVIVED. . ,

A SUCCESSFUL DAY ON THE ; WAITEMATA.

Not discouraged by the fact that last year so little interest was taken in the regatta with which Aucklanders have for the past 51 years celebrated the foundation of the colony that the event had to be abandoned, owing to want of funds, a few energetic membora of the. committee went to work with a will this year, determined that the carnival so characteristic of the Waitemata should not fall through. Their efforts were so well rewarded that they succeeded in collecting every penny of prize money before tne date of the fixture. The regatta, owing to the death of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, wa3 postponed from January 29, the day upon which it has always been held, to last Saturday, and in the face of the other attractions also announced for that day, it was feared that tho gathering would not be too successful. Fortunately, however, the fears were ill founded, and, as it turned out, the regatta was one of the best that has been held for a long time. The day was beautifully fine, with sufficient wind for the sailing races, and not too much for the rowing events. The flagship was patronised by a very large number of people, and, as usual, the Queen-street Wharf and other points on the foreshore were taken advantage cf by many persons.

On tho harbour the scone throughout the day was very animated. As the racej were despatched in the forenoon each little fleet sailed down, a cluster of canvas, and disappeared round the North Head in a bunch, to reappear again later on scattered picturesquely about the harbour, which- in the afternoon was thickly dotted with heeling craft under a press of sail, whose wet sides caught the bright sunlight. There were tall-masted work-a-day scows, -with all their kites out, booming along and dashing the spray from their bluff bows; graceful yachts, with snow-white sails, whose sharp hulls cut the water " like a knife, and left scarce a ripple behind; tiny little hookers of all builds; and numberless pleasure boats, full of oarsmen and oarswornen, whose manoeuvres indicated various degrees of skilfulness. The wind in the early morning was in the south-east, but as the day wore on drew round to the south, and then +o the south-south-west, which gave the boa'is a lead right up and down the harbour, a run out to the mark in Eangitoto Channel, and a work back. It was sternly throughout, the day. and the result was that when once (he yachts drew away from another, the positions were very little changed during tho whole course, but it enabled all the events to finish in good time. A word of praise is due to the handicappers, whose adjustments in the sailing races brought the boats very close together at the finish. In the rowing events there might have been better entries, but the contests were all keen, and tho nrizes were well distributed among the different sheds. During the afternoon the public on the flagship were well provided with sideshows, mostly of an amusing character, so that there was not a dull moment for anyone.

The Union Company kindly placed the s.s. Oval an at the disposal of the committeo as flagship, and Captain Macbeth and his officers and crew did all they could for the comfort of the visitors. At luncheon on board the committee entertained a number of guests, Mr. J. IT. Witheford. M.F.R. (president of the remittal, presiding. Speaking to tho toast of the committee, coupled with, tho names of Messrs. Stone and Dacre, Mr. Withoford said the regatta was not a gathering merely for enjoyment, but also for the encouragement of maritime pursuits. At the present time in the British navy the great want was the want of seamen, and in view of the time when there would be a colonial navy, they were doing tho right thing in fostering the love of aquatic pur : suits in their young men, who, he was sure, would render as good in account of themselves on sea as their fighting brothers who wont to South Africa did on land. Auckland was destined to become one of the greatest T>ori« in the southern hemisphere. -When be induced the Admiralty to equip the •';.!- liono Dock, he had rot merolv the requirements of the navy >"n his mind,- also the maritime ■ necessities that would arise when Auckland would be the centre of 'hat £re,at Pacific-r'Trrvi'iff trade which must come about,' particularly ,'. as the : % result ...of -the cutting of the Nicamgnan Canal. At a later stage. Mr. Witheford specially mentioned 'he name of Mr. W. C. Somers (the treasurer}, who, he said, had done so much individuals- to pro mote the success of the .regatta. Mr. Stone expressed the pleasure they felt at seeing Air. AVitheford pre'ont. ' ,

All the officials worked very hard during the day, and deserve credit for their efforts. Messrs. W. C. Somers. and L. Lewis are worthy of special mention for the interest they displayed. The names of the principal officials follow: —Committee: Messrs. 0. R. Stone (chairman), W. C. Somers, L. Lewis, O. C. Dacre. W. Bruce, W. .Tagger, C. P. Murdoch, W. Cowan, A. G. Busby. D. Conk, G. H. Reston, R. H. Cooke, W.'A. Wilkinson. W. Svinnerton, J. A. Mackenzie, J. B. Gould, N. Wade, W. Edwards, A. G. Fookes, R. Masefield. Captain Reed. Cantain Parker. Chairman of committee, Mr. 0. B. Stone ; secretary of committee, Mr. E. B. Alexander. Handicapper of scow race: Mr. D. Gouk. Handjrappers of sailing races: Messrs. W. J. Whitley. H. C. Wright, W. Carter, G. V. Edgcumbe. and C. Kilfoyle. Handicapper of naval cutter race: Mr. W. Smith. Handicapper of stump outriggers, ladies' nair-oa<- race, boys' dinpev "sculling race: Mr. A. Mcllardy. * Starter of sailing races: Mr. R, S. Reynolds; judge, Mr. W. dagger ; umpire, Mr. D. Gouk. Starter and umpire of rowing races. Captain Parker iudge of rowing; races, Mr. R. Logan, jun. Timekeepers: Messrs. A. Goldwater and .1. Alexnnder. Sailing Committee: Messrs. C. P. Murdoch, W. Swinnerton, and W. A. Wilkinson. Side-show Committee : Messrs L. Lewis, G. H. Reslon, R. Masefioid, W. Carter, and J. A. Mackenzie. Appended are the results of the races and events: — , ■

SCOW RACE (bona-fide square bilge). First prize, £30; ■ second, £10. Course: From south side of flagship round markboat between Rangitoto beacon and Lake wharf, thence round powder hulk off Rangitoto wharf, thence round mark-boat off Stokes' Point and finish south side of flagship. Twice round. Distance, about 30 miles.

Post entries were received for this event, and the following started—Pukapuka and Shamrock, scratch; Bee, Bm.; Rata, 35m. The four got well away together, but Pukapuka was not long in drawing out from her rivals, and she soon placed a wide gap between herself and ' Shamrock. When they showed up again in the harbour they were very scattered, and passing the flagship on the first round Pukapuka was leading Sham rock by 29m. Bee was third 11m. behind the second boat, and Rata had evidently dropped out of the race down the harbour. The same order was maintained on the second round, Pukapuka increasing her lead, and the finishing times were: Pukapuka, sh. 2m. 305.; Shamrock, sh. 36m. 15s. The other starters did not pass the flagship the second time. FISHING BOATS' HANDICAP. First prize, £9 and a case of condensed milk presented by Murray and Co. (Limited) ; second £3. Course: From south side of flagship round mark-boat between Rangitoto beacon and Lake wharf, thence round powder hulk off Rangitoto wharf, thenco round mark-boat off Hobson Bay, thenco round mark-boat off Stokes' Point, and finish south side of flagship. Twice round. Distance, about 32 miles. The starters in this event were: Kestrel (J. Johnson), scratch; Dolphin (Jos. Winter), 4m.; Waimarie (E. Quinn), 12m.; . and Christina (post entry). Dolphin and Kestrel drew away from the other pair considerably on the first round, and it was soon seen that the race lay between these two. Waimarie abandoned the contest on the second round and the finishing times of the other boats wore: —Dolphin, 4h. 14m. 55.; Kestrel, 4h. 14m. 345.; Christina, 4h, 31m. 255. The time allowances did not affect the result, Dolphin securing the first prize by a little over 4m. FISHING BOATS (centre-board, tuck stern. First prize, £7 and 1001b of flour, presented by W. J. Hurst and Co.; second, £3. Course : From south side of flan-ship, round mark between Rangitoto beacon and Lake wharf, thence ' round black buoy off Brown's Island, thence round mark-boat off Hobson's Bay, thence round mark-boat off Stokes' Point, and finish south side of flagship. Distance, 20 miles. Shamrock (N. Benson) and Minnie, scratch; and Kathleen (J. Nelson), lin. were the only starters. Shamrock and Kathleen hung together throughout, and made a very interesting race of ■ it. Minnie did not sail the course. The times at the. finish were: Shamrock, 2b. 34m. 65.; Kathleen, 2h. 35m. 340. • . ' ' . -

The time allowance brought these two still closer - together, . and Shamrock :\ secured first prize by the narrow margin of 28s. -'-• OPEN HANDICAP YACHT RACE. ■:■■

First prize: £15 and barometer; second, ; £5. The course was the same as' for event £iC. 2. ; ■*■'"' '; ■■ v':- : -'•■" ■':'■' ■ '■' :' :

Ida (0. P. Murdoch), scratch; Thetis (Maseficld Brothers), 9ra:; 'Ladye Wilma (J. Dunning), 15m.: Cooee (P. Roy), 24m.; Ra-, rere (T. M. Alexander), 25m.; were sent away to a satisfactory start, and the boats were well together rounding the North Head, hut the -work back spread them out considerably, and coming up the harbour Ida was in the front, leading Maseneld Brothers boat by 4m., Ladye Wilma and Ra'rere following with a good deal of sea room between each. The leading boat improved her position somewhat on the lead back, and between Thetis, Ladye Wilma. and Rarere there was an interval of about 3m. in each case. ' Cooee being a long way astern. Positions on the second round were unchanged, except i that the intervals were widened, and passing the flagship at the finish the times were: Ida,-!4h <] 37m. 305.; Thetis, 4h. 48m. 165.; Ladye Wilma, 41i. 53m. 505.; Rarere, sh. ]m.295. As in several other of the races, the handicappers must be congratulated .upon their adjustments, since after deducting the allowances there was only a matter of scarcely 3m. between the four boats". Rarere took first prize, beating Ida on time allowance by 345., Ladye Wilma being third, and Thetis fourth. ALLCOMERS' HANDICAP, For yachts not exceeding 27ft 1.w.1. First prize, £12, and trophy, presented by Messrs. P. Haymari and Co.; second, £5; third, £3. The starters for this event were : Windward (A. Buchanan), scratch : Mahaki (S. E. Chatfield), 7m.; Corinna (H. L. Salmon), 16m.; Mabel (G. Winstone, jun.), 16m.; Peri (R. Murphy). 17m.: Huia (G. Scaler), 18m.-. and Alma. (W. Robb). 24m. The fleet passed out of sight round the head in close company, Windward having a slight advantage. This she increased on the course, and the finishing times were: Windward, 31). 14m. 405.; Mahaki, 3h. 23m. 95.; Huia. 3h. 24m. 455.: Corinna, 3h. 27m. Is.; Peri, 31i. 29m. 27?.; Mabol, 3h. 29m. 535.; Alma, 3h. 36m. 455. On time allowance, however, the first prize went to Huia, with Corinna second, and Peri third. HALF-DECKED CENTRE-BOARD YACHTS, For boats 26ft overall and under, tuck stern. First nrize, £7, and trophy, presented by Mr. 0. W. Goodson; second, £3. The course was the same as for the third event. The entries were: Flora (E. Blnckmore), scratch; Kotiro (0. Brett), Bm.; Ofa, (R. Rae), 9m. ; Shamrock (C. Harkins), 14m. : Konene (A. Davidson), 15m.: Waitangi (C. Garlick), 18m. Flora and Waitangi were both on the wrong side of the line when the gun wont. Flora, followed by Kotiro and Ofa, wen,t to the front in the order -named. and the positions were very little altered throughout the race, the times at. the finish being: Flora. 3h. 56m. 155.: Kotiro, 3h. 58m. 525.; Ofa. 41>. lm. 555.; Shamrock, 4h. 6m. 595. : Waitangi, 4h. 11m. 595.: Konene, 4h. 13m. 44«. Deducting the time allowances Kotiro took first prize, with Ofa second, and Shamrock third. YACHTS, 241-t LTNF, \V -RATING, KEELBOATS. First prize, £7, and one dozen photos., presented by Mr.. J. R. Hanna; second, £3. Tlio course was the same as that for the third event. Starters: Speedwell (W. A. Wilkinson)," Eulnlie (E. Message), . Matua lE. Stevenson), Miro (McAuliffo and Cowie). scratch : Bona (A. Dye). 15m. At the first mark Speedwell was leading Matua slightly, with Eulnlie third, and Miro close up. The same order was maintained throughout. Speedwell gaining gradually at each mark. Passing the flagship on the last occasion the times were: Speedwell. 4h. 2m. 165.: Matua. 4h. 7m. 25.; Eulnlie. 4h. Bm. 175.; Miro, 4h. 10m. 385.; Bona, 4h. lfm. lis. On time allowance Bona took'second prize. t DECKED OR HALF-DECKED YACHTS. For boats 22ft overall and under. ' First nrize. £7, and one dozen photos., presented by Mr. George Grocrory: second, £3. Course: From south side of flagship round chequered buoy (second burn' round North Head), thence round mark-boat off Hobson's Bar. : thence round mark-boat off Stokes' Point, and finish south side of flagship. Twice round: distance, 18 miles. In this event the following boats started :■—, Myra (E. Spra-g'ion). scratch; Waimoa '(01 Stewart)',; 6r0.; S?nhorso (0. R. Cooper), Bm.; Kate Keys (J. Fernandez), 11m.; Welcome Jack (IT. Schmidt), 13m. : Anita (G. Hutchison), 15m.: Kolare (P. M. Winstone), 17m.; Mascotte (S. Aickin). 20m.: Merlin (A. G. Buchanan), and Cclia (J. S. Cork), 23m. Like most of the other races this event was almost a procession, Myra and Waimoa leading right round. The finishing times were; Waimoa, sh. 6m. 155.: Myra, sli. 7m. ?,45.; Welcome Jack, 51i. 10m. ' 10s.; Kate Keys, sh. 23m. 235.; Kotaro, sb. 24m. 325.; Mascotte. sh. 26m. 515.: Merlin, sh. 27m. 195.; Celia, sh. 36m. 48s. Welcome Jack took first prize on time allowance, with Waimoa second, and Merlin third. PATIKIS. First prize, £5, and 1000 Three Bells Cigarettes presented by Messrs. Seegner, Langguth and Co.; second, £1. The course was the same as that for the last race, once round, the distance being nine miles. Thero were only three entries—Rita (A. Matheson), Kangaroo (C. Burke), and Eka (J. 11. Ronayne), all on scratch. The race was a close one. The finishing times were as follows;— Rita, 3h, 34m. 505.: Eka, 3h. 39m. 10s.; Kangaroo, 3h. 41m. 255. THE ROWING EVENTS. MAIDEN FOURS, Under lOst, clinker outriggers. Course: Starting one mile above flagship, and finishing south side. West End (W. Mason, H. Cossar, A. Richmond, W. A. Graham, stroke; S. Clark, ■ cox.), 1; North Shore (A. Miller, G. Griffin, A. Patterson, D. Richardson, stroke; G. Bailey, cox.), 2; Waitemata (G. " Parkes, G. McGurk, F. A. Smith, C. Tyer, stroke; H. Kean, cox.), 3. There woro no other starters. The race provided a good finish, the black-and-whites winning by about two lengths, and a narrow margin separating the blues and bluo-and-golds. ...,'• MAIDEN FOURS, Open,' clinker outriggers. Course, same as last race. Waitemata (W. Smith, B. J. McDonnell, K. Blair, O. Porteous, stroke; H. Kean, cox.), 1; West End (W. Mason, 11. Cossar, A. Richmond, W. A. Graham, stroke; R. Clark, cox.), 2: St. George's (A. Black, F. Warner, W. Dallen, Q. 0. Waddy, stroke), 3. The winners, whoso superior weight told, finished fresh, and wore going strongly throughout, passing the mark almost six lengths ahead of West End. The black-and-whites, however, made a game struggle. Seeing that they rowed the same crew which annexed the preceding event, and that the time intervening between the two races was not long, their performance wa3 a- remarkably good one. The red-and-whites finished three lengths behind West End. There were no other starters. NAVAL CUTTER RACE. Course: From yacht Volunteer, south-east of flagship, to markboat off Stokes' Point, and finish south side of flagship. Devonport Navals (in boat Volunteer), 1; No. 2 Service Company (in boat Explosion). 2. The winners led from the start, and finished 20 or 30 lengths to the good. JUNIOR. FOURS, Open, clinker outriggers. Course, same as Maiden Fours. Waitemata (F. Brownlce, A. Annan, G. Nicholson, P. J. Bailey, stroke; H. Kean, cox.), 1: St. George's (E. Cuthbertson, E.Stone, 11. Armitage. T. Richards, stroke), 2; North Shore (F. Best, W. 'Bakewell, G. Wynyard, W. Logan, stroke: G. Bailey, cox.), 3- Also started West End No. 1 and No. 2. The winners had a length in band at the finish, nix or seven lengths dividing second and third. SENIOR FOURS, St. George's (E. Cuthbertson, E. Stone, 11. Armitage, T. Richards, stroke), 1; West End (B. Stephenson, R. Doull, It, Cook, J. Carder, stroke; S. Clark, cox.), 2: North Shore (F. Best, L. Bakewell, G. Wynyard, W. Logan, stroke; G. Bailey, cox.), 3. Won easily. STUMP OUTRIGGERS. J. Thomson, 15s.(St. George's R.C.), 1: W. Oliver. ss. (N.S.R.C), 2; A. Dacro, scratch (A.R.C.), 3. THE SIDE SHOWS. YACHTS* DINGEY SCULLING RACE. Mizpah (A. Gifford), 1; Rangatira (E. Howard), 2; Mahaki (8. J. Chatfield). 3. This caused no end of amusement. The winner was badly left at the start, but seered a good course, whilst Mahaki and P.iiigatira got hopelessly mixed up amongst the surrounding craft, and collided with each other whilst rounding the mark from the opposite direction, thus allowing Mizpah to make up for his poor start.

. YACHTS' DINGEY SAILING RACE. ; - Peri, 1; Rangatira, 2. This also was an amusing event, both 5 competitors -running amuck. amongst the numerous boats ■'■ containing spectators, and taking some time to manoeuvre their difficulties. , - ■ CORFU DIVE. ' B. Harp, 1. There were four other competitors. . GREASY BOOM. E. Gittos, 1; R. Bell, 2. There were five competitors. The event was so enjoyed by the spectators that the committee took entries for a repetition of it. This attracted six competitors, E. Gittos again winning, B. Harp taking second honours. WATER ; TOURNAMENT. . Half-a-dozen entered, of whom B. Harp proved the most efficient wielder of the mop. DUCK HUNT. R. Bell, who acted as "duck," was given half-a-minute's start, and was chased by F. Coles, R. Forgie, and E. Gittos. hunt was hot, but the duck managed to elude his pursuers during the 3£m. allowed them for his capture, thus annexing the prize.