GALA HOLIDAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22949, 29 January 1938, Page 15

GALA HOLIDAY

FESTIVITIES TO-DAY ANNIVERSARY REGATTA SPECTACLE ON HARBOUR OTHER SPORTS FIXTURES All Auckland will celcbrato the provincial anniversary in true holiday fashion to-day, when tho Waitemata Harbour will bo thronged with yachts and pleasure craft of every design and size. A bank holiday has been declared throughout the province, no business will be transacted on tho Stock Ex- • change, and tho majority of shops will closed until Monday. Housewives yesterday were faced with the necessity of laying in provisions to tide them over ;tho long week-end. Sporting activities to cater for all tastes have been arranged, but the events on tho harbour will provide the •main attraction. Ueeord entries totalling, over 300 have been received and the first race will start at 9.45 a.m. All. sailing events will start and finish off the motor-vessel Endeavour, but the regatta headquarters will be at the Calliope Dock, where a splendid programme qf swimming races and novelty events .is to bo carried out this afternoon. Event lor Keel Yachts A feature of the regatta will be the.j race for the Heather Cup for A class ! keel yachts. Fifteen of Auckland's • largest and fastest yachts have been j entered for this event, which will be | sailed over a course of 29 miles. The { race will start at 11 a.m., and the first | turning mark will be a dinghy moored i north of the Bastion beacon. From there the yachts will proceed to i the Duder Spit buoy in Kangitoto j Channal, and will come back into thei harbour again, proceeding as far as the i entrance to St. Mary's boat harbour. They will 'make another turn at this j, stage and will carry on to tho red; buoy in Motuihi Channel. )

The last ley: of tho course will be from Motuihi to the flagship moored near Calliope Dock. The competitors are <Ariki, Rawene, Tawera, Rainbow, lorangi, Ngatoa, Moana, Little Jim, Victory, Prize, Viking, Tamatea, Waiomo, Marangi and Waitangi. Tawera, Ngatoa, Little Jim, Tamatea and Waiomo carry Bermwdan mainsails, and the other competitors are gaff-rigged. With every indication of a northerly wind the first and second class yachts will have a lot of leading and very little beating. Races at Ellerslie Thousands' will be in attendance at the Ellerslie Racecourse to-day, where the first day of the Takapuna Jockey Club's meeting has attracted goixl fields. Chief interest will be centred in the Takapuna Cup, the Zealandia Handicap and the Wynvard Plate, all of which are like to attract keen speculation. Thrills and excitement are promised tennis enthusiasts at the finals of the Auckland championships, which will be played at the Stanley StTeet courts and some exceptionally fast and bright play is expected. Commencing at 9.-15 o'clock this morning a full series of games will be played in the Auckland Cricket Association's first grade championship, the principal attraction being the match between Y.M.C.A. and Parnell at Eden Park. The championship leaders, Eden, will meet Grafton on the No. 1 wicket. Rowing at Hamilton Oarsmen also are well catered for and the best crews of the province will be seen in action oil the Waikato River at Hamilton, where the annual carnival has . attracted heavy entries. A special train will leave* Auckland crowded with* oarsmen and their friends early tlys morning. Bowlers- will be chiefly interested in the several club tournaments, and a number of athletic meetings also have been arranged in the province. A late afternoon tide will make conditions ideal for swimming at the majority' of beaches from about three o'clock onward, and watering places on both sides of the harbour will be crowded from an early hour. Excursions to harbour resorts also will be well patrouised and it is anticipated that thousands will take full advantage of the opportunities offered for a day in the open. Picture theatres and cabarets have arranged special programmes and capacity nouses are expected. Midget car and motor-cycle races at Western Springs "Stadium also should attract large crowds.