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South Canterbury Times, Issue 3114, 27 March 1883, Page 2

The success of the Regatta yesterday giyes promise of a yearly repetition of tbess evepts in the port of Timaru, which we trust will 1?P fulfilled. It is not only that a regatta affords pleasure to the onlookers, but it also—and this is of far greater importance—gives a stimulus to aquatics which is very much needed. The nature of this country renders it roost probable that she will be the birthplace of a race seamen. The Australian Colonies have already bred a race of hardy bushmen—why should not New Zealand breed an equally hardy race of seamen ? These islands can never have a better safeguard than seamen bred along our coasts—hardy, disciplined, and efficient—And all we can do to encourage such a growth, is well done. We trust, therefore, that the annual regatta will speedily become a special feature of New Zealand life. We had an opportunity yesterday of seeing what excellent qualities many of our men possess, and we should like to see our young fellows growing up skilful boatmen ; for not only would they thus find occupation in their spare hours, but they would also form a strong arm of defence, and a powerful aid to commerce. i .