OUR ANNIVERSARY DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5560, 23 January 1879, Page 2

OUR ANNIVERSARY DAY.

It is exactly nine-and-thirty years ago yesterday since tbe first emigrant ship, the Aurora, dropped anchor in the harbor of Port Nicholson. Many of those whom the good ship brought to these shores as tile pioneers of the settlement have since passed away; bnt several still remain, the living witnesses of the enormous strides we have made in the way of progress. They have marked our advancement year by year, and on the return of each succeeding anniversary it has been to them an irresistible charm to look hack to the period when they first set foot on New Zinland soil, and to recount to each other the vicissitudes they have experienced in the task of colonisation since that duty was so nobly and fearlessly undertaken by the small band of settlers who came here under the auspices of the New Zealand Association. To most of those who still survive to see what a great colony New Zealand has become, in so comparatively short a space of time, a glance back into the distant past must naturally awaken sad recollections of dear friends whom they have lost, and ties that have long since been broken asunder; but when they think again how great has been their individual prosperity, and what a grand success has been the scheme of colonisation of which they were the promoters, their joy must be unbounded at what has been accomplished in less than forty years, notwithstanding- all the difficulties that have had to be surmounted before they could effect so much. Yesterday, not only did the settlement of Wellington add another year to its age, but that of the colony was likewise celebrated at the same time. The weather could not have been grander. Prom break of day tbe sun shone with uninterrupted brilliancy, and there was just a sufficient amount of wind to make the day exceedingly pleasant. What a contrast to the anniversary day of 1878! Then the rain came down in torrents, and the great holiday of the year was bereft of all its customary pleasures. But if people had the selection of weather in their own hands, a finer day than yesterday could not have been desired. From early morning the city presented a gay appearance. Prom all the principal buildings a copious display of bunting fluttered in the breeze ; while looking _ towards the harbor vessels of all kinds were decked in their gayest colors. If people had even intended to stay at home, they could not resist such tempting weather, and the result was that there were more pleasure-seekers yesterday than on any previous anniversary that wo remember. 'Vehicles of all kinds were put in requisition ; picnic parties were on the qid vive from an early hour, and the Hutt road, the road round to divans Bay and Kilbirnie, and that leading to Karori were thronged with conveyances of every description. The railway took a very large number of people out of town, and it was quite a sight to see the enormous number of passengers which were carried by the tramway during the day. To many persona the beautiful tea gardens at Karori formed an attractive place of resort ; Wilkinson’s tea wardens were also largely patronised ; public and private picnic parties proceeded to the Hutt and other localities at equally convenient distances, while the hills in the immediate vicinity of Wellington were dotted here and there with small parties of holiday-seekers. The annual regatta proved as attractive as ever, and while hundreds of people remained about the wharf during the day, others proceeded on excursions round the harbor and to Lowry Bay. The Rechabite fete at the Basin Reserve drew quite a multitude of people to that locality. Altogether, quite two-thirds of Wellington’s population turned out of doors yesterday to enjoy themselves according to the bent of their inclinations. We are glad to be able to state that not a single accident of a serious nature has been reported to us, and in the harbor there were no capsizes to chronicle. A stranger visiting Wellington yesterday could not have failed to observe the great amount of order and good humor which characterised all the proceedings of the day. There were guardians of the peace at the lotale of every demonstration, but the various crowds were so orderly and peaceably disposed that the duties of the police were reduced to a sinecure.

THE REGATTA,

The regatta may be pronounced the greatest attraction of Anniversary Day, and yesterday’s was no exception to the rule. The end of the wharf was crowded during the day, and the number of persons who availed themselves of the sailing boats and steamers to cruise round the harbor was very large. The shipping alongside the wharf, as well as the vessels lying in the stream, were all dressed with bunting from stem to stern, and the whole scene was decidedly most animating. The Artillery Band took up their position at the end of the wharf, and during the day they discoursed a number of selections in their usual able manner, and their performances tended to impart an additional air of sprightliness to the day’s proceedings. Mr. Ellaby and the members of the Regatta Committee worked indefatigable in order that the arrangements might be made as perfect as possible. They so far succeeded as to leave no ground for complaint, and they deserve all the more praise for this highly satisfactory result when it is remembered that so short a time has elapsed since the committee was appointed to make the necessary preparations for the great nautical event of the year. By the courtesy of the representatives of the Union Steamship Company, the s.e. Taiaroa was placed at the disposal of the committee as a flagship, and she anchored about two hundred yards from the end of the wharf. Some difficulty was experienced in getting a steamer to convey passengers to the flagship, but Mr. Ellaby at last succeeded in securing the s.s. Napier" for that service, and she made several trips backwards and forwards. Whether it was because the tickets for admission and conveyance to and from the flagship were too high in price (namely, 3s. 6d.), or whether the means of being taken backwards and forwards were not known in sufficient time, we are unable to say, but from whatever cause it may be. there were not nearly so many visitors to the flagship as might have been expected. However, thoso who went on board the Taiaroa had every reason to be content with the trip and the capital view they obtained of the various events. At one o’clock an excellent luncheon was provided in the saloon, at a moderate charge, and the catering gave uumixed satisfaction to everyone who partook of it.

With regard to the programme of events, it may be said that the sailing races formed the principal feature of this year’s regatta. They were all well contested, and evoked the most lively interest. There was great excitement during the coasters’ race, especially when they were rounding the Taiaroa, and the handling of the respective vessels by those on board was loudly cheered. As to the rowing races, they were in no instance particularly exciting, as the distance between the winning and the losing boats was too great to produce much enthusiasm on the part of spectators. So far as betting was concerned, there was little “straight-out” speculation, but numerous sweepstakes were got up in amounts varying from a shilling to a pound, and in a few instances a five pound note was the individual subscription. The following is a description of the various events ;

FOUR-OARED OUTRIGGER EACE. Distance, three miles; entrance. £2 2s. First prize, J. and H. Shaw’s silver salver and £25; second prize, £lO. Torpedo (Wellington) 1 Wanganui (Wanganui) .. 2

The course iu this race, at the suggestion of the crews, was changed from the northern part of the harbor to along under the lee of the Te Are shore. This race was advertised to start at 10.15, but it was eleven before the boats were sent away. The starter had considerable difficulty in getting the boats in line. After about a quarter of an hour’s backing and pulling ahead, the three boats were sent away on pretty even terms. The Dolly was the first to break water. On pulling ahead of the flagship, the yacht Templar, which was shifting from her moorings to take her place, crossed the course, and before the crew in the Dolly could get clear, the two fouled. By the time she got on her course again the other two boats were 100 yards ahead—the Torpedo first and the Wanganui second. This position was kept all the way. At the first buoy the Dolly gave up, being put clean out of tbe race through the fouling of the yacht. On going up along Te Aro shore, Wanganui, which was about 200 yards ahead, put on a spurt, but was unable to overtake the Torpedo, which came in an easy winner by fully a hundred yards.

OPES BOAT SAILING EACE. For all-comers. Distance, ten miles; entrance, 10s. Bd--Ist prize, Messrs. Kohn and Co.’s cup and £10; 2nd prize, £5. Toy (centre-board down) 1 Violet (centre-board down) 2 Otaki .. .. 3

Before the previous event had started all the boats entered for this race had dropped their anchors in line. A fine steady breeze was blowing from the south-east, and all the boats were in readiness, with their after sail hoisted and a man ready to slip the mooring, the instant the gun fired. After a few preliminaries

the signal was given from Captain Roberts that all was ready, and the gun was fired off from the wharf. The Toy was the first to got under way, with the Violet next ; the remaining boats—Otaki, Lurline, and Pleiades—all slipped together. The Toy maintained her reputation, and left the rest of the fleet a long way astern. After going on the other tack off Somes Island she increased her lead still more. They passed the flagship in the following order, tile first time round—Toy, 1 ; Otaki, 20 minutes after ; Violet, hilf-an-hour ; Lurline and Pleiades nowhere. The two latter, after rounding the steamer, put about, and gave up the race. The breeze at this time increased ; when the Toy was passing Kvans Bay it blew the hardest, and she very prudently took a reef in her mainsail. After passing Somes Island the second time all three boats took tack and tack, but the Toy was too many for her companions either with a free sheet or close hauled, and she came in a very easy winner fully a mile and a ha!l ..head. A good race then took place between the Violet and Otaki for second place. 'The ship’s boat had a strong lead for some distance, bnt in beating to windward the Violet managed to outstrip her, and took second prize. The race was very exciting, and created considerable interest. FIRST-CLASS TACHT EACE. Distance, twenty miles ; entrance, AS as, Ist prize, N.Z.S. Co.’s cup and £S3 ; 2nd prize, £l3. Florence (centre-board down) 1 Xarifa .. .. .. ’ ~ .. .. ~ 2 Contrabandiero .. !, 3 This was looked upon as tho race of the day. It would have been impossible almost to have picked a more suitable day. The wind was very steady, and was not too strong, consequently the sailing qualities of the yachts wore tested to their utmost. The sight at the start was a very pretty cne. All the seven boats were well in line, with their mainsails hoisted. At the sound of the gun the Florence displayed the greatest smartness, and was under way first. The Pet, which was to windward, was the next to pay-off, and she went away under a press of canvas, and soon showed the rest her heels. The Contrabandiere and tho Templar, two Auckland built boats, were greatly fancied; they certainly looked like crafts that would take a lot of beating, but the Florence was too many for them. On coming round the flagship first the Florence came round close hauled in fine style, fourteen minutes ahead of the Contrabandiere, with the Lena next. The Xarifa and Lena then had a good race down to Somes Island, tho former getting the best of it. Inquiries were now made for the Pet, and everybody wondered how it was that she was not to the fore. ‘ The cause, however, was shortly explained, as she was seen standing across from opposite Government Buildings with her peak down. She carried away her peak halyards and several stays, which, of course, put her clean out of the race. At the time of the accident she was fully half-a-mile to windward of any of the boats, and there is very little doubt she would have been placed had she not been so unfortunate. surra’ gig race. Distance, two miles ; entrance, £1 Is. First prize, Mr. Jacobs' cup and £10: second prize, £5. Hormiono .. i Neptune *2 Pleiades 3 There was very little difficulty in getting this race away. The boats got into lino at once, and away they went. The Hcrmlone, pulling six men, started first favoiite ; the Neptune next with five. The Pleiades had only four men, and was not much fancied. The Hermione at once dashed away with the lead, with Captain Williams’ boat next. On the way back the Neptune drew on the ship's boat, but could not overtake her. Tho winning boat was loudly cheered by the people on the wharf and by their friends of the Pleione. The coxswain of the Pleiades has entered a protest against the Neptune taking second place, on tho ground that the crew who pulled her did not belong to her. coasters’ race. Distance, twenty miles; entrance, £2 2s. First prize, Messrs. Shaw Savill’s cup and £lO ; 2nd prize, £ls. Saucy Lass 1 Sarah Pile 2 Star of tbe Sea 3 Aspasia 0 This was undoubtedly the most exciting race of tbe day. The wind was all that could be desired, and the vessels were able to clap on all sail. The sight was a grand one. All four got away together, with every stitch of canvas set. The brigantine slipped away from her companions, the other three keeping pretty close together. After reaching the opening, they ail four squared away, and the Sarah Pile, with her square sails, left the fore-and-aftera a long way behind. This, however, was not to last for long, as the vessels had very soon to haul their wind, and then the fore-and-aft canvas of the smaller vessels began to tell, and they gradually gained on the Kaipara trader. If the sight was pretty at seeing them start, it was still prettier as they rounded the flagship, going about eight knots. The Sarah Pile rounded first, with the Saucy Lass close behind her. The Aspasia, by a nice piece of handling, here managed to shoot ahead of tho Saucy Lass ; tho Star of the Sea was the last to round. All four vessels were now booming along on the port tack. The Sarah Pile still held a good lead, with tho Aspasia second, she having ; taken the position of the Saucy Lass through clever handling. On passing the first buoy the Aspasia had a strong lead of the Saucy Lass ; at the next buoy she passed two minutes and threequarters before her. The Sarah Pile now went about, and the Aspasia followed suit ; they were both on tbe port tack, the Saucy Lass still keeping on the other. The two were now nearing one and other ; the Aspasia, on the port tack, expected to clear the other, and endeavored to pass under her stern, but she would not pay off, and fouled; the consequence was that the Aspasia had her full jibboom carried away close off to tho cap, which disabled her. At this time the Aspasia was being sailed by Captain Tunbridge, of the Wild Duck, and it is well to notice that there is not the slightest ill-feeling between the masters of the two vessels. It must be borne in mind that, correctly speaking, the Aspasia was to blame for the affair, as she was on the port tack, and according to nautical rules she ought to have given way. She has, however, in a measure had to pay for it; for with the lead she had there is but little doubt that she would have either taken first or second place. The Sarah Pile was now spanking along with a free sheet, and the Star of the Sea some distance to leeward. The Saucy Lass very soon drew away from the Aspasia, who had lost the greater portion of her head sail. She, however, battered away, and went x-ound the entire course. The Sarah Pile was now looked upon as a certain winner. She passed the judge’s eye first by five minutes, but according to her tonnage she had to give the Saucy Lass more time, and the latter vessel consequently claims Messrs. Shaw Savill’s cup and £ 10. JUNIOR FOUB-OABED OUTRIGGER RACE. Distance, two miles; entrance, £1 Is. First prize, plate to the value of £l2 ; second prize to the value of £5. Kocket 1 Torpedo 2 Wanganui was entered for this race,' but did not start. This event did not create very much interest, as at the time of the.race the yachts were close to the flagship and all eyes wars fixed on them. WHALEBOAT RACE. Distance, three miles; circular coarse, to be steered with bona fide steer-oar; entrance, £l lie. cd. First prize, Mr. Hislop’s cup and £2O; 2nd, £7. Arawata 1 Danger 2 This race could not be called a success, and the same may be applied to ail the pulling events. The Echo, Arawata, and Danger were the three starters. The Arawata at once went away with the lead, tbe other two going on pretty even terms. The course for this race was from the end of the wharf round a buoy opposite the gasworks, back again past the flagship down to Thomdon, and from thence round a buoy the other side of the baths and back again past the wharf. On rounding the first buoy opposite the gasworks the Arawata was first by four lengths, with the Echo next, and the Danger, the Wanganui boat, last. On coming past the flagship the Arawata had increased her lead to a dozen lengths, the Echo and Danger pretty well together. When opposite Mr. E. W. Mills’ foundry the stroke in the Echo broke his oar, and they retired from the race. The crew of the Arawata kept up a good steady stroke the whole way, and won as they liked by fully a mile. SECOND-CLASS YACHT EACE. Distance, ten miles; entrance, £1 Is. First prize, Mr: Cohen’s cup and £ls; second prize, £7. Red Jacket 1 Brothers .. ~2 Flirt.. .. .. .. .. .. ~ .. 3 Oceola .. 0 This was a very pretty race, and there was just the breeze to suit the boats. The Red Jacket and Oceola both started with a reef in their mainsail. The former went away with the lead, closely followed by the Brothers. This boat is a bran new one, and was built and sailed by two brothers, of this city. She was not thoroughly finished, nor was she sufficiently ballasted ; for all that, however, she stuck to the Red Jacket closer than was expected. On rounding the first buoy, off Ward Island, the Brothers carried away her staysail, which of course considerably crippled her. Had it not

been for this the race between her and the Bed Jacket would have been much closer. The Flirt made very heavy weather of it at the farther end of the course, and several times was completely buried in the water. The Toy, which won the open boat race, was also entered for this event, and started after the rest twenty minutes, but only gained a minute. JDNIOE rAIR-OAP.EI) GIG BADE. Instance, two miles; entrance, 10s. 6cl. First prize, plate to the value of £5. No second prize. Hobo .. 1 Venus : ■ • • • 2 This race caused littld or no interest. Both crews pulled well, but there was too much jobble for hard pulling, and the staying powers of the men were not altogether put to proper test. VOLUNTEEK WHALEBOAT EACH. Distance, three miles (circular course), to be steered with a bona-fide steer-oar; entrance, £X Is. First prize, £7; second prize, £3. This event was struck out of the programme. norn-OABED ineiooed gig race. Distance, three miles; entrance, £1 is. First prize, plate to the value of £2O; second prize, plate to the value of £5. Hover i Maud 2 Transit •• ■• •• •; 3 This was one of the best of the pulling races, still it was anything but satisfactory, at ony rate to the spectators. The course was the same as that pulled by the outriggers. The Bover started first favorite. Some people thought that the Wanganui boat Transit would win; but they were very unfortunate. There is no doubt but what they had good boats, so wo can only attribute their bad luck to those who were in them. They pull steady, but their stroke is far too slow for winning. amps’ BOATS SAILING EACH. Dlztanco ton miles. Fir»t prize, enp land £5 ; second prize, £2. Otaki 1 Pleiades 2 llormione .. -. ; 3 There were only these three started, and a remarkably good race they made of it. Considerable interest was manifested, especially by the shipping community. The Otaki was the favorite, as she had taken third place in the open boats sailing race. At the finish this race was very exciting, as the Pleiades and Otaki were on opposite tacks, and both close to the winning post; when about twenty yards from the judge the Otaki had to put about, as she could not weather ths post. It was thought then that the Pleiades would win, but the other boat went about splendidly, and shot right up past tho judge about two feet ahead of the Pleiades. The Hermione was some distance to leeward. BCULLER9’ EACB. Distance, one and a half miles ; entrance, 10s. 6d. First prize, cup valued at £7: second prize, plate to the value of £l. Ostrich(llonrao) .. ..1 Bran (Ferris) 2

This was not a bad race, but Hearne had it pretty well big own way.

SENIOR PAIK-OABED GIG RACE. Distance, two miles; entrance, £1 Is, First prize, cap to the rslue of £10: second prize, plate to the yaiuo of £2. Dart.. I Venus 2

This brought the list of the pulling races to a close. The course wag under the lee of the Te Aro shore. The pulling was nothing extraordinary, but probably the rough water had a great deal to do with it.

THE GREASY POLE brought the programme to a close. For this ©yent a boom, well greased, was fixed horizontally from the wharf, overhanging the water, with a piece of rag fastened at the Any one being fortunate enough to keep their balance until they got to the end, and taking the rag off, got a pound. This created considerable amusement, as one after another of the competitors fell into the water. Several, however, managed to snatch the rag off as they were falling. The band then played the National Anthem, and the crowd that lined the wharf soon dispersed.