Invercargill Regatta

Southland Times, Issue 14287, 2 March 1899, Page 2

Invercargill Regatta

Yesterday the day fixed for this annual event, proved most unfavourable, greatly to the disappointment of the competitors and officials, who had done all in their power to make the affair a success. A number of enthusiasts, besides the com* pecitors and officials appeared on the wharf at the advertised time for commencement, but the water was too heavy for either sailing boat or skiff, and a start was not made until the tide turned with the wind and caused the waves to subside considerably. By 3 o’clock a very presentable crowd had collected on the wharf, and the impecunious who lined the foieshore were not a few, whilst merry strains from the Garrison Band made the outing more enjoyable. The yacht race was well started, the Garibaldi and the Minnehaha beiug particularly fast in getting way on. A number of the spectators fancied the chances of Holland’s little boat, Louisa Maud, but the wind was too heavy for her. The firstjboat to pass the flag was Francis’s Foam, which was beautifully handled, and managed to get home just about four minutes ahead of the Minnehaha, while the Garibaldi sailed in a number of minutes behind the second boat. Only two other races were got off, viz., the flatty and canoe races. In the former J. Hatch and D. McQueen romped home in the Mist, with the Oreti (W. Harris) second, and the Rangitiri (Cook Bros.) third. The canoe race was won by two feet by N. White in H. MoNeilags’s Hoolet, after a very exciting race with L. Broad, who had to concede a good handicap to the winner. During the afternoon the s.s. Invercargill arrived at the jetty and proved very acceptable shelter for those who found the frolics of the high wind inconvenient. Messrs Godward and Murie gave an exhibition on a cycling catamaran, but the wind and tide hampered them greatly, and prevented the boat being driven at any great speed. Following are the results of the races finished:—

First-class Sailing' Race J(handicap), 8 miles—l, £lO, J. Francis’s Foam (6 min.); 2, £5, J. Roberts’ Minnehaha (scratch.) The Osprey, Maori Girl, Rambler, 0.8, and Louis Maud also started.

Flatty Race ( J mile)—l, 15s, Hatch’s Mist; 2, ss, W. Harris’s Oreti. Cook Bros’ Rangitiri and .Dunlop and Smith’s Ratua also started.

Canoe Race (| mile) 1, silver medal, N. White. L. Broad was the only other starter.

In the yacht race the two abovementioned boats were the only finishers, and as the launch Edina went to see about the others, and did not return till 8.30 p.m. the excitement ran high in town. There was however, (.no serious accident. The Maori Giil, 0.8., Rambler, Osprey and Louis Maud had to |run ashore on account of the heavy weather on the river, and under such circumstances it was highly creditable to the sailors of the Foam to steer their little craft home in the lead. In order to al’ow the Bluff and Dunedin ctews to get home by their respective trains to-day, the ladies plate and maiden outrigged fours will be pulled this morning, weather permitting, at 5.30. The other races will be rowed as soon as expedient probably on a near Wednesday afternoon.