ANNIVERSARY REGATTA.

New Zealand Herald and Auckland Gazette, Volume I, Issue 48, 2 February 1842, Page 3

ANNIVERSARY REGATTA.

Saturday last being the anniversary of the arrival of His Excellency Governor Hobson, a Regatta was got up at a few hours notice. On Saturday morning the vessels in harbour hoisted their flags, and the day was very beautiful. About one o'clock,guns were fired, which was a signal that His Excellency and, Suite were about to go on board the Government Brig Victoria. At this time the River looked remarkably well, as there were a great number of boats, and a quantity of canoes rowing in every direction. The The Harbour Master, D. Rough, Esq., then gave the signal for Whale Boats to take their stations, when 5 boats started for the prize, which was easily won by the boat steered by Mr. Merriott. The SECOND RACE for Gigs pulled by Amateur Crews, next came off; three boats started on the signal being given. The Black » Angel (4 oars), and the Leander (5 oars), the property of F. Mathew, Esq., took the lead, followed in their wake by Mr. WeavilPs 6-oared gig, pulled by the gentlemen of, the Survey Department. The race was admirably contested down to the buoy ; the Leander pressing the Black Angel hard on her larboard quarter, for the purpose, we suppose, of taking the inner berth on rounding it. On arriving at the buoy, the two leading boats were stem and stem, the Leander having decidedly the better birth on rounding it, when the crew of the Black Angel finding she could not turn so quick as their opponent, backed water with their larboard oars, consequently making a foul stroke, and threw themselves athwart the bows of the Leander : this forced the Leander either to run into her adversary, or take the outside berth, (as a matter of courtesy the latter was taken), in doing which she got aground, and in the confusion the other boat grounded also. The Black Angel was immediately got off by one of her crew jumping overboard and pushing her off the mud bank, (this was, however, contrary to the laws of aquatic sports), and got nearly six ships' lengths a-head of her adversary, before she could possibly be pulled off by her crew. In the mean time, the 6-oared gig, which was a long way astern when the confusion occurred, rounded the buoy safely, and seeing what was the matter, kept in deep water, and was abreast of the Leander before she got head way again. The Black Angel, of course, came in first; but although the Leander's crew were much fatigued by getting her off the sand bank,they were not so great a distance from the Blaek Angel in coming in, as when they got way on the gig after striking. We were much disappointed on account of the accident, as in all probability it would have been a closer race had it not happened. It was considered by the greater majority on the matter being explained, that the race should be run over again. We are informed, that the Leander's crew have protested against the race. The Third Race was the Canoes which was w'ell contested by Natives. After the Regatta, Captain Frazer, of the Portenia, invited the Amateurs, who pulled in the second and third boats, to dinner, which was got up in good style. After dinner several loyal toasts were given, among which were " Captain Hobson, and prosperity to New Zealand," which was drank amidst loud applause: At an early hour the company broke up, after spending a very pleasant day. In the evening, we noticed the Governor Hobson Hotel brilliantly illuminated.