THE AKAROA EXCURSION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3952, 17 December 1880, Page 3

THE AKAROA EXCURSION.

In response to the advertisement of the Union Steamship Company, alarge number of people arrived in port by the 8 o'clock train from Christchuroh, bent on a trip to Akaroa by the s.s. Wanaka. No time was lost in getting them aboard, and at 9 a m. the breakwater was cleared, and a heavy swell found rolling up the harbour. Those who were posted in the weather predicted a heavy sea, as the wind was and had been north-east for the past two days, and on reaching tho Heads it was found to be blowing hard from the north-east and a very high sea running. It was not long before many on board succumbed to sea Bickness, and those who kept the deck got an occasional cooling down with spray that was cheerfully refreshing. On reaching tho Lor g Look Out Point the sea was worse, and many who had braved it out so far had to give in, and allow that Father Neptune was best man—at any rate for the time being. The ladies, of whom there were several on board, wisely went below, whore they were made as comfortable as possible. Manv anxious enquiries and conjectures were made as to what would bo the hour of arrival at Akaroa. " Two o'clock," said the genial skipper, Captain M'Gillivray, " don't see how we can do it in less time," so all hands were content, but the Chief Engineer evidently thought otherwise ; the engines were let out a bit, and by 1.35 p.m. the steamer was off the end of the wharf, ani fivo minutes later made fast, ancl the passengers debarked. The trip was thus done in 4 hours 35 minuteß— excellent time considering the wina and sea to be contended against. Akaroa looked much the same as it always does on its jfeYe day j a large number of people congregated on the wharf to see the steamer arrive, and the town was quite busy with the influx of visitors. The hotels, as usual., did a good business, and some booths wero erected on the green at the end of tho jetty, whore a shooting gallery and other sports were located. The various buildings were gaily decora! ed with bunting, and every one seemed in the best of holiday spirits. The town looked remarkably protty, "the hills at the back being very green and fresh for tlie time of the year, while the various tints of foliage about the houses made tho place look as picturesque arid inviting as ever. The Horticultural and Industrial Exhibition was well patronised, by the visitors, who divided their time botween that and the other amusements. Mr W. Montgomery mado the opening speech at the Industrial Exhibition, and was well received by those present. A few minutes after five the warning whistle was blown on the Wanaka, and tho excursionists began to re-take thoir seats. At 5.30 the steamer left the wharf, and picked up the Lyttelton boats, and at 5.45 a start was mado for Lyttolton. The sea had gone down somewhat, and the steamer made an excellent run back, being off the end of the breakwater at 10.15 p.m. To Captain M'Gillivray and his officers and stewards, the thanks of the excursionists aro due for tho kindness, courtesy and attention shown them, and in spite of the heavy weathor the trip was an enjoyable one. There were about 150 excursionists aboard. Throe oheers were given for the Captain as the steamor entered the breakwater. Tjie Begatta. Commodore W. B. Tosswill ; Secretary, W. H. Wood ; Judges, J. \ylmer aud H. H. Fenton • Starter, H. H. Fenton ; Timekeeper, G. Lacosle. The ueual Begatta was held, the programme comprising ten events of the ordinary nature. Two or throe were finished before the Wanaka arrived, and the Yacht Bace was progressing when the steamer got in, Thero were only the two yachts, Venture and Fleetwing entered, and, just as they started, an occurrence took place which, for tho time, created much excitement. Ono of the boats entered for the Open Boat Sailing Race, the Blanche, was out taking a preliminary spin, and when well off the wharf, getting more wind than she could carry, filled and went down. Her crew got hold of the oars and rudder, and managed to support themselves in the water until assistance arrived. Both tbe yachts, seeing the accident, boro down to tho spot, but before they could reach them Mr G. Wright had put off from the shore in a. whaleboat and picked them up, none tho worse for their involuntary bath. . The boat went down in about five fathoms of water. She belonged to Lyttelton, and had sailed down for the purpose of competing in tho regatta. Tho yachts, seeing that all was right, squared away on their oourso again, the Venture being tho first to do so. When the Wanaka woe off Wainui the Fleetwing was away to windward considerably, but somehow the looal yacht managed to overhaul her, and eventually tho Venture came in a winner nine minutes ahead of the Fleetwing, that yacht having carried away her bobstay. The sailing race for boats was won by Mr Tosswill's Dream, the Edith Wynne, G. J

Wright coming in second seven minutes later. The sailing race for boats under 20 feet had five sturtors. The race was started just before tho steamer left tho wharf, aud :is one of the Lytteltou bon.ts was a competitor she had to give up. Tho result of tho race, therefore, waß not known. It will thus bo seen that up to 5 p.m. only five of the events on the printed programme had been started. This was not as it should have beon, and shows a want of management foine where. Punctuality in starting races is one of the chief features of a regatta, whora many events have to come off, and {hose going from a distance are always disappointed at cot seeing the races. Tho original programme certainly, had to be deviated fconj, owing to tho steamer not arriving until 1.40 ; but, then, other events might have been got off in the meantime. These remarks may be the menus of a little more punctuality being exercised m subeequent regatta?, and "if that is done, the interest taken by spectators in the regaUa will not be allowed to flag. The ketch XXX did duty as flagship, and looked vr rv pretty with her code of miniature flags flying. The courses for the various raceß were much the same as those of f ormer v care. The weather was all that could be desired for aquatics, the N.E. breeze holding pretty steady, but becoming lighter towards tho close of the afternoon. Bailing Eacb, for open boats (30ft keel and under).— First prize £10, second £3 ; entrance £1. Time allowance, 7sec to tho foot. Course, about 8 inileß.— Dream, W B Tosswill, 1 ; Edith Wyr.ro, G. Wright, 2 ; Mnr, Yl. S. L-i.t-r, 0; LVantU,, J. Pearce, 0 ; Avalanche, T. 8. Baker, 0 ; Post Boy, J. Wyman, 0. This was a very fair race, all the boats being well up together. On rounding the last buoy, the Dream, which was ahead, drew away and came in seven minutes ahead of the ttdith Wynne. Men's Paih-oaeed Race— First prize £3, second £1 ; entrance ss.— Annie Wright 1 • W A. Stuart, Pakeha, 2 ; J. and J. Thomas', Molly, 0; J. and W. Wright, 0. The Annie went away with the lead, and gradually increasing it, won by about four lengths. Paih oabed Each, for boys under 18— First prize 30a, second 103j entrance 2s 6d.— Molly, G. Jolly and G. Henrioi, 1 ; Pakeha, W. Glynan and John Williams, 2 5 Larrikin, O. Watkins and L. Watkina, 3. The Molly drew away first and won by about six lengths. Yaciit Bace, open to all comers— First prize £25, second £5 ; entrance £2. Time allowance, 25 seconds to tho ton ; course about 16 milus. Venture (G. Back), 1; Fleetwing (y. w. Maude), 2. Open- boat Sah,in 9 Eaoe (20ft keel and under)— First prize£S, second£2; entrance 10s This race was started just before 5 o'clock and was rot finished when the steamer left. The Lyttelton boat had to give up and join the steamer.