AKAROA REGATTA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9424, 24 December 1908, Page 1

AKAROA REGATTA.

NO EXCURSION STEAMER. Although no excursion from Lyttelton to Akaroa on Boxing Day has been announced, most people interested in the annual regatta there have concluded that., with the postponement of the aquatic fixture, the excursion would be postponed also. On Anniversary Day the Pateena was brought down from Wellington specially to carry the excursionists to the regatta, and when the bad weather compelled her to abandon the trip she went empty away. Now, for the first time, the Union Steam Ship Company has decided, after much consideration, not to run an excursion. ' The only steamer availablo, apart from bringing ene to Lyttelton specially during the busy holiday seaeon, is the Maori, and it is understood' that the company is not inclined _ to risk making her late for the Wellington ferry trip. The tide will be dead low at the time t the steamer would arrive at Akaroa, and there is too little water to allow a steamer of even lees draught to go up to the wharf. The disappointment caused by the regatta being postponed was blunted by the prospect of a good Boxing Day outing, but the would-be excursionists will now bav<v, practically speaking, no means of taking the trip. The Akaroa people in particrlar are much disappointed, and the abandonment of the excursion will probably mean a considerable loss to the tradespeople, who are accustomed to make elaborate and costly preparations for their regatta visitors. .