PICTURESQUE HOBART.

Otago Witness, Issue 2085, 8 February 1894, Page 47

PICTURESQUE HOBART.

REGATTA DAY,

IE you want to thoroughly enjoy Regatta Day in Hobart you must take an interest in aquatiC3. The last time wo went to a regatta in Hobart it seemed a very tame affair indeed. There were crowds of people assembled in the Domain, there were tents, refreshment boothe, msrry-go-roundp, and lucky bags ; occasionally a gun would go off, and we would stop talking to ask, " What's that for 7 " and someone would answer, " That's another race starting," and we would go on talking and criticising the crowds.

But this year everything was different. We entered into the spirit of the thing, and Anniversary Day 1894 will always be remembered by us as one of the pleasantest days spent in Sleepy Hollow. And the reason of this was that circumstances caused us to be hou?ed in a family where yachts and yachtirg were the al!-absorb'ng topics of ictsrest. Our host himself was an " Old Salt," and his son owned a smart little yacht rej dicing in the name of the lolanthe. For days before the regatta all the male portion of the household were busy on board the yacht, and all the female portion were busy in the kitchen preparing for Regatta Day. •How anxiously we watched the waather the n''gbt before the 26th, and how eagerly we listened for the guns at 8 o'clock the next morning 1 , which were to proclaim whether the weather was fine enough for the regatta to be hold. The, morning broke cloudy, with a fi.no

mist falling, just enough to take one's hair oat of carl and prevent white dresses being worn, but there was a nice little breeze blowing, and that wan all the lolanthe's skipper cared about. He scarcely stopped for breakfast, but rushed off at 7 o'clock amid shouts of " Good luck 1 " from all of u<<, for all the yachts had to be in their places at 8 a m. In the meantime our host went up to the Domain (where all Hobart congregates to see the regatta), and there rigged up a tent, and planted the Union Jack on the top. The spot he chose commanded an extensive view of the Darwent, two -thirds of tha course being visible. When we arrived on the scene we were all loud in our praists of his work. A carpet of sailcloth was Bpread on the grass, and there were cushions for us to recline on in Eastern fashion, and seats for those who wished to be more dignified, and jasfc outside the tent was a fireplace built with stones, all ready to boil the kettlp. Soon three other families arrived on tho scene ; so we all joined forces, and a great unpacking of baskets ensued. As far as the eye could reach in the Domain were to be seen tents like our own pitched along the banks of the Derwent overlooking the course. Just in front of us lay H.ftl.S. Boomerang, the flagship [or tie day, and farther down the river was the Orlando, the rest of tho Australian squadron, gay with bunting, showing out well against a background of green hills. At 12 o'clock the Domain was a bu3y scene. The sun shone out for a brief period, and here and there some startling costumea were to be seen. The refreshment booths did a roaring trade, and the games of. chance were well patronised, for throughout Australasia the gambling spirit prevails. A monkey -faced boy drew large crowds of sightseers, and a tatooed man from Chicago was one of the best patronised Bhows. But the biggest crowd of all was round the free drink stall, for here the splendid beer from the Cascade Brewery was being dispensed " free, gratis, for nothing," to spite an opposition pub'.ican who had secured the right to sell liquors for the day, and who had paid more for that privilege than his fellow publicans thought fit. Bat notwithstanding the free drinks there was very little drunkenne?s, for on the whole Hobart folks aro wellbehaved citizens. li-gatta Day is epspntially a poor people's holiday. The re is nothing to pay ; so father, mother, and the youngsters all tntn out in full force with their pionic baskets and billies, determined to enjoy the day. They camp wherever they choose, and the ohildren spend their pennies in the lucky bags or on the merry-go-rounds, and tumble about and erjjoy themselves to their hearts' content. Presently tho band strikes up " God Save the Queen," and the Governor (Viscount Gormanston) appears and takes his seat on the grand stand. Bat no one stops to look at him, for there is a rush in an opposite direction, where half a dozen Jack tars are to be seen attired as South Sea islanders, with matted hair and a fringe round their waists, wending their way to the free drink stand. These picturesque and jovial tars are all arrayed in readiness fof tbe shovel race, which terminates the event* of the day, and for which those taking part adorn themselves according to their own eweet will — some as Christy* minstrels, some as aboriginals, and some as sweet maidens from the Solomon Islands.

After strolling round the Domain, and seeing all that is to be Reen, we return to our tent, and find the cloth spread for lunch, the fire blazing merrily outside, and the kettle just beginning to sing ; so the male portion set to work to carve the fowls an<3 ducks, the ham, and the tongue, while the ladies attend to the tea. While we dine we watch the races being started one afte* another jast beneath us. One picturesque yacht, lying at anchor and gay with bunting, is the cynosure of every eye. She is theArchina, a 25-ton yacht, the property of Mr Griffiths, of Sydney. This amart little craffc was sailed all the way across from Sydney by Mr Harris, of tbe Oonah, and Messrs Gibson and Thompson, two ardent yachtsmen, members of the Prince Alfred Yacht Club. Presently the skipper and his crew, all looking very smart in their uniform,, come ashore, make their way to our tent, and invite us a\l on board to afternoon tea. Onr party is large, and the dingey makes two trips ; bat a* last wo are all safely on board, and are loud in ouy praises of the Archina. We make onr way down to the cabia, which is beautifully fitted up, and contains sleeping accommodation for seven ; then we try the piano, and admire the photographs and drink our tea, while the first and second officers, as they jokingly style themselves, entertain v? with the details of their voage across from Sydney.

I '< But didn't you feel frightened when the, bad weather oarae 7 " asks one of the girls. , '<Jußt think of the risk you ran I" " There's no fun without risk," is the answer, which sentiment explains half the mad deeds that Ergluhmen do. Then we examine each nook and corner of tbe yaoht — the galley, the stores*, the compasp, the sail?, tbe rigging, &c, &c, and then comes the race of the day for u<?, the 28ft yecht race, in which the lolanthe takes part. The gun is firerl, and off they go all in a bunch together, with their white sails outspread, as pretty a eight as you could wish to see. Threo ringirjg cheers from fcbe Archtna greet the lolanthe as she passes us, and are cordially retnrned ; but, alas I fate has willed that tbis Bhall not be one of her lucky days. Something goes wroDg with her mainsail, and one by one the other yachts pass her, until in the end she comes in last of all, and the Gitana carries off the £25 prize. There' had been sculling races, sailing races, warship -races, targe races, and punt laces, but for, us tbe interest of the day was over • so bidding adieu to our friends on the Archina, we are rowed ashore, and

Folding our tent like the Arabs, We silently steal away.