UNKNOWN. REGATTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2399, 22 February 1900, Page 47

UNKNOWN. REGATTS.

The annual regaita at Ravensbourne took l^ace on Saturday afternoon. It was held in conjunction with the Otago Yacht Club, and as the proceeds are to supplement the local contingent fund it was dignified by the name " patriotic." The programme circulated was a tasteful one. On the front cover was printed the TTnion Jack and the flag of of New Zealand, one crossing; the other, while the words of "The absent-minded beggar" were printed on the back cover. The weather, which is an all-important consideration at regattas in Dunedin Harbour, left little lo be desired, there being sufficient wind to enable the yachts lo complete their journeys in reasonable time and yet not enough to disturb the water, which, throughout the regatta, kept quite smooth. The sky was overcast early in the afternoon, but !aler on the sun came out britrhtly, set the placid water? of the bay sparkling, and lit up the white sails of the yachts and the green hills of the Peninsula, creating Altogether a very pretty sight. A brisk appearance was given to the starting r>lace by the pleasure boats, which darted hither and thither, mild coM'sions frequently octirring, and further variety was given to the scene by the scow Naaru sailing down tb° harbour and dredge 222 coming up. the latter looking, a» she passed through the fleet of yachts, like a lumbeiiiig dray horse amongst a lot of thoroughbred nonies: and one could imagine the outraged feelings of some ot the old sea dn°s of 40 ■■-pars ago-as Ihev realised ■ that their beantifuVflipners were to be superseded by "Mr-am kettle" boats. Reasonable punctuality v-s« observed in the starting of the races, nn'l the princinal= t'l the numerous body of officials worked hard and enthusiastically right throual?. Thp Garrison Band was present, and enlivened proceedings considerably by their selections, and a committee of young ladies. consisting of Misses M'Cutcheon (2). Johnston, nnd Sutherland, <sei'\erl afte-noon tcp in the boat^hed, which hod been tastefu'ly decorated by the firstmentioned two ladie«. The patriotic badges worn by the comroittee were supplied by blisses Mitchell, Callon, Petter»on. Mason, and other?. The course of the sailing race? was from opposite the flaeship Madge, up towards town, round the three legs at the end of retaining wall, down to Challis's and thence back again. Flying starts were given. The roving races were from the boatshed down the harbour to opposite Minn's and back again.