OTAGO REGATTA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1179, 4 July 1874, Page 2

OTAGO REGATTA.

Commodore — Capt. Thomson. Judges — Capt. Rankin, ship William Davie, .Slater, Mr Grinley. Clerk of Course— Capt. Cummins. The much talked- of Regatta, once postponed, came off on Monday, and taking all things into consideration, it proved a much greater success than was anticipated. Like all joys that are marred by that canker, delay, the Regatta having been once postponed, lost much of its attraction, and besides that, differences of opinion had arisen amongst the Committee as to the advisability or otherwise of postponing it altogether, or at any rate, until the beginning of the summer, when more favourable weather for aquatic sports than could reasonably be hoped for in the dead of winter might be looked forward to. Bub then arose the momentous question of what was to be done with the funds subscribed, and whilst some were in favour of returning the money and letting the Regatta drop through, others proposed that it should be bestowed in aid of the Sailors' Home, and the majority insisted on the Regatta being carried out at all risks, and the funds in hand disposed of in the way that they who subscribed them intended at the first. But the differences of opinion on the above points quite destroyed that unity of purpose without which a thoroughly successful Regatta was next to an impossibility. Several of the gentlemen who had taken a warm interest in the matter when the idea was fir3t mooted withdiew altogether, and the subsequent proceedings dragged wearily along, and but for the energy of a few who had taken a leading part in the arrangements, we believe that the Regatta would not have taken place. As it was, the final announcement that it would be held yesterday fell flatly on the public ear, and exhibited but little interest, especially as the Provincial Government had declined — or at any rate did not— proclaim tbe day a public holiday, in accordance with the application of several of the Committee. However, the Committee having decided to run the races, did all that could be done to make amends for the somewhat informal character which the occasion unavoidably assumed, the railway authorities were applied to, and consented to run trains aa frequently as might be found necessary. A good Band (the Dunedin) was engaged, and leave was obtained to vise that noble vessel, the J. N. JTlemixjg, aa a fog ship, and we {ixc gratified

in stating that whatever pleasure may have accrued upon the day's proceedings, was greatly enhanced by the courtesy, kindness, and most liberal hospitality displayed by the J. N. Fleming's commander, Capt. Peacock. An almost open table was kept, and refreshments were also dispensed to the ladies on the poop. The ship's guns and ammunition were placed at the disposal of fche Committee for starting the races, &c, and to crown all, the good ship donned her best attire to welcome her visitors. She was draped with flags from truck to rail, and all work was suspended after noon. Contrary to expectations, the weather favoured | the occasion. The day came in delightfully fine, and at times the sun was inclined to be oppressively warm. There was, however, little or no wind, much to the chagrin of the few competitors of the sailing races on the programme. The wind, light from SW. in the morning, died away by noon, to give place only to light fickle N.E. airs, tantalising and unsatisfactory to deal with. The first race— that of the seine boats — was appointed to start at 10.30, bat as there was !no wind, it was postponed for a time, and the ship gigs race was called on instead. No one, however, seemed prepared for it, and there was but one entry — that of the Wm, Davie's gig — and then the steamer Phoebe's boat post entered, and to make up the number, for unless three boats entered, there was to be no race, the heavy lifeboat of the J. N. Fleming was entered at the eleventh hour. Each boat was manned hap-hazard, neither of the crews having undergone the slightest training, and hence the event produced no particular display of racing. It was nearly one o'clock before the boats were despatched, and the race proved a gift to the Davie's gig, which had it all her own way from the start. The J. N. Fleming's boat only pulled the first round, whilst the Phoebe's boat, although overmatched, most pluckily stuck to the race, and in fact made a race of it. Shortly after one o'clock the breeze came in from the N.E., and the Seine fishing boats were started on their journey roiincl the Francis, the ship furthest down the harbour. If the breeze freshened well, the course was to be sailed over twice ; but if not, once round was to be deemed sufficient. Only three boats entered — the Rose, Christina, and Flirt. Owing to the lightness of the breeze the race proved a failure, and the boats, moreover, had to work down the harbour against the flood tide. They were pretty well matched, although it was evident from the first that the Flirt carried the cleanest pair of heels in a light breeze. She took the lead, and whilst turning to windward steadily increased it, and rounded the Francis a long cable's length ahead of the others. It was a pretty race in its way, the boats keeping well in shore, in the slack, and working on the tack and half-tack system of short boards, the Rose and Christina well together — the former, however, being the more weatherly of the two. During the run back before the wind, the Rose and Christina set goose wings, and very considerably reduced the gap which separated them from the Flirt. The latter however won the race by a few lengths. Perhaps the most exciting race of the day was that of the whaleboats, manned by Maoris. It brought four boats to the starting post, their names being — Shark, Rednose, Maori Boy, and Harlequin. The Shark and Maori Boy each pulled six oars, the other two only five, and it was plainly to be seen from the appearance of the boats and their crews that the race would lie between Shark and Maori Boy. The Shark, with her great length and fine lines, was the favourite; but there were not a few who fancied the Maori Boy, and were ready to place their money in her keeping. Very soon after the boats were despatched it became evident that the Harlequin was out of the race, and that Red Nose would be nowhere ; and so it proved, the first round being completed with the Shark two lengths in advance of Maori Boy, and Red Nose six lengths astern of the latter, whilst Harlequin peaked oars and caved in. The second round produced a fine display of pulling on the part of the leading boats, and also demonstrated that a race is never won until it is lost ; for notwithstanding the Shark's strong lead, Maori Boy gradually overhauled her, and came in a winner by a bare length. The finish proved most exciting — the Shark's crew spurting despoi'ately to recover their lost position, and did gain very considerably on the winning boat, but not quite enotigh to win. High expectations were entertained that the Champion Inrigged Race would prove the great event of the day; but in this the public were disappointed, as only three boats were entered, one of them being the Amateur, which came forward, we believe, more to make up the requisite number of boats to make a race than with any hopes of winning it. The other two boats were the Port Chalmers Rowing Club's Pioneer, and the Rob Roy of Duuedin. A slight contretemps occurred as the boats wore marshalling for a start, the Pioneer fouling the Rob Roy, and damaging her rudder. The hurt, however, was soon made good, and the boats were sent away on their journey down the harbour. It is true that three started, but the Amateur gave in immediately, and so left the race to the Rob Roy and Pioneer, and well and gamely did they contest it. It was Dunedin versus Port Chalmers, and on that account, perhaps, the race did excite more interest than other events of the day. It is to be regretted that the contest was not what could be termed thoroughly decided, for through a misconception on the part of the Rob Roy's crew as to the course to be pulled, they gave up at the completion of the first round, deeming it to be the fipish.

They were, however, a long length astern of the Pioneer. The latter pulled the course, and of course was declared the victor. The Boys' four-oared Inrigger Race was a very well contested event, of two miles dis« tance. Two of the boats of the foregoing race— the Rob Roy and Pioneer — were used, and a third, the Wild Deer, made up the required nunibei*. The youngsters started fairly, and pulled closely and gamely, and once itlooked as if the Pioneer was to win again, for she had a strong lead when the Francis, the lower point of the course, was rounded, and looked as if she meant to keep it. She however took too wide a sweep into the channel as she came home, and so lost ground and the race also, for the Rob Roy took the lead, and pulling well together, came in a winner a length ahead of Wild Deer, the latter being half-a-dozen lengths in advance of Pioneer. We were at a loss to understand why the Pioneer took such a broad sheer off after rounding the Francis, until we heard that a foul occurred under the bows of that ship, and the Pioneer's rudder was unshipped. She came in without one, and it was no wonder, therefore, that she steered wide, Slie appeared to be satisfied with her defeat, no protest about a foul being made after the race was over. A very decided foul — the only one recognised during the day, however — happened during the last race — that of the All Comers' Pair-oared Skiff Race. The Pioneer and Rob Roy were again pitted against each other, with Amateur, as a make-race. A good get away followed the report of the starting gun, and the two boats kept together nearly stem and stem, the Amateur being astern, and fast dropping there. Presently, what appeared to be a sheer on the part of Pioneer across the bows of the Rob Roy took place, and the boats foaled badly, and before they could clear, Amateur slipped ahead, and secured a lead that brought her in a winner by several lengths, Pioneer being second, whilst the Rob Roy was out of the race altogether, her crew having given up after the foul, and pulled in to enter a protest against the Pioneer ; and the protest was accepted and entertained, the Judge's verdict being in favour of the Rob Roy. He disqualified Pioneer, and gave second prize to Rob, Amateur, of course, taking first honours. ' The Licensed Watermen's Race proved a good thing to G. Mackay and J. Watson, who pulled in the winning boat, Otago, the property of Mr Hudson. Three boata started," Star of Peace and Aldinga being the others. The Aldinga made no play. at all, and gave in very soon after the start, whilst the Star crew stuck to their work, but had no show of winning ; it was a losing race with them from the first. We have pleasure in stating that the various events were contested in a spirit of the utmost fairness and good humour. Not a fracas of any land occurred to mar the harmony of the day, and sobriety for once reigned supreme — not a" case of drunkenness amongst the large assemblage of people who viewed the Regatta came under our notice. Very much credit is due the working members of the Committee for the good services they rendered during the day, and that they succeeded in effectually performing their respective duties was apparent from the absence of complaints or grumbling. The Judge's decisions, too, gave general satisfaction. As far as was practicable, the original programme was abided by, but had to be departed from in a few instances — to wit, there were no entries for two or three races, and the Allcomers' Sailing Race was abandoned because there was not enough wind. Below are appended the several events in their respective order : — Ships' Gig Race, for all Gigs manned by the crew ol their ships. Prizes— lst, £7 10s-; 2nd, £2 10a. Course, from the Flagship twice round the barque Duke of Edinburgh and the first black buoy. Distance, about 3i miles. William Davie 1 Phoebe 2 J. N. Fleming 3 The boats got away well together, the Davy having a slight lead, which she steadily increased and came in a winner by twenty or thirty lengths. Phoebe second, and the J. N. F. nowhere, she having given in at the first round. Time, 30 minutes. Sbixk Fishing Boats Sailing Race.— Prizes : Ist, £8; 2nd, £4. Course : Round the lower .ship in the harbour and back. Distance, about 2 miles. Flirt I Rose (Inneh) 2 Christina (Inncs) 3 As there was little or no wind blowing, this race was divested of all interest. A capital start was effected, the Flirt having the weather gauge. The boats worked up in shore against the flood in short boards, but; made very slow progress, and when they passed Rocky Point the Flirt led by a good dozen lengths, with Rose second, but closely waited on by Christina. In this order the Francis was rounded, but during the run home the Christina and Rose showed they could do better off the wind by ateadily overhauling the Flirt. The latter, however, had too strong a lead, and so came in a winner by 4^ minutes ; Rose second j with Christina a bare length astern. Time, 3 hours 33 minutes. Whaleboat Rack. Prizes, Ist, £10 ; 2nd, £5. Course, from Flagship twice round the barque Francis. Distance, about four miles. Maori Boy, 6 oars i Shark, 6 oars g Red Nose, 5 oars 3 Harlequin, 5 oars "4 An admirable start was effected, the Shark and Maori Boy immediately drawing ahead of the others, and spurting for the lead. The latter was taken by the Shark, which closed the first round a length ahead of Maori Boy, Red Nose several lengths astern of her, and Harlequin nowhere. Here Harleomo gave in, leaving the. gage to the thref ; ao4

it was plainly apparent that it would be a very tight affair between Shark and the Maori. The latter gradually decreased the slight lead obtained by the Shark, and when the boats rounded the Francis, they were about stem and stern. As they drew out in the channel, the Maori Boy passed her antagonist, and her crew, putting on steam, she came in a winner by a bare length, Red Nose a couple of lengfhs astern of Shark. Time, 30 minutes. Champion Ix-rigger, Rack. — Prizes— lst, £15 ; 2nd, £7 10s. Com so, twice round the barque Francis. Distance, 4 miles. Port Chalmers Rowing Club, Pioneer. -J. Maekay (stroke) ; Smith, 3 ; Baker, 2 ; Watson (bow) . . 1 Rob Roy. — Grant (stroke) ; Gardiner, 3 ; llason, 2 ; Murdoch (bow) 2 Amateur .. - 3 The boats were despatched fairly, and after a few strokes had been pulled, Amateur reBigned, leaving the honours to be contested by the two. Pioneer soon took the lead, and the crews of both boats settled down to steady hard slogging, the Rob Roys spurt'ng gamely to head their opponents, and once drew level with them. The advantage thus gained was, however, soon lost, the Pioneer again drew off. and improving the lead, passed the flagship a full length ahead, and cleverly rounded the flag-boat. Here the Roy Roys gave up the race, much to the regret of the spectators, for although a length astern, they were far' from being beaten, and might have gained the race after all. The Pioneer pulled the course, and completed the two rounds in 30£ minutes. Inriqoer Bois' Race. Prizes— lst, £5 ; 2nd, £?, 10a. Course, once round the Francis. Distance, about 2 miles. Bob Roy 1 Wild Deer 2 PloHeer 3 The boats were sent away well together, the Pioneer having the lead, which she kept to the Francis, rounding that vessel half a length or so in advance. There the three appeared to be all of a heap. As they drew out into the channel they separated, Pioneer far on the outer hand, and. losing ground : the wide sheer she took lost her the race. Rob Roy then took the lead, and, closely waited on by the Wild Deer, came in a winner by a length. Time, 12min. Licensed Watermen's Pair-Oarkd Rack. Courseround the first black buoy. Distance, two miles. Prizes-lst, £5 ; 2nd, £2 10s. Otago (Hudson) . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Star of Peace (Maddigan) 2 Aldinga (Adams) 0 The race entirely lay between the Otago, which was pulled by G. Mackley and J. Watson, and the Star of Peace, pulled by C. Strong and Califomian Mick. The Aldinga drew out of the race at the commencement. It proved a one-sided affair — the Otago taking the lead, and keeping it, and winning by several lengths. Time, 15 minutes. Canok Race. Prizes— lst, £3 ; 2nd, £2. Course round the first black buoy. S. Turton's 1 Isis (E. Barton) 2 Spindrift (Barton) 3 This race caused much amusement, on acoount of the odd appearance of the tiny craft which contested it. They got away nicely together, but Mr Turton very quickly drew ahead, and keeping the lead won by half a dozen lengths ; Isis second, and Spindrift nowhere. All Comers' Pair-oared Race.— Prizes : Ist, £5 ; 2nd, '£2 10s.' Course : Once round the Francis. Amateur 1 Rob Roy 2 Pioneer .. .. •■ •■ .. .. . .dis. As usual, the start was everything that could be desired, and a slashing race seemed imminent, between Rob Roy and Pioneer, Amateur being only a make race. The two boats kept well in line, the Pioneer on the port hand. Stem and stem they pulled half way to- the Francis, and then the foul occurred, and the Rob Roy at once drew out of the race and pulled home. Amateur then took the lead, and won easily, i This race brought the day's proceedings to a close.