ANNIVERSARY REGATTA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XV, Issue 1400, 24 January 1860, Page 3

ANNIVERSARY REGATTA.

The day was all that could be wished tor Aquatic Sports. A light breeze from the N. W,, which increased to a strong one in the afternoon. The vessels in harbour were gaily dressed with the flags all . nations, and from early morn all was bustle and preparation for the coming events.

The Wonga Wonga lay invitingly at Swinbourne's Wharf, gaily attired for the festive' occasion, and the firing of her gun, and . ringing of her bell, duly announced her intention of proceeding on the excursion trip, and that the the holiday folk would have no reason to complain of disappointment on this occasion. About half-past nine o'clock, she started on her first trip to Somes' Island, the Band playing as she gallantly wended her way through the shipping in port, and proceeded to her destination. The Wellingtonians yesterday celebrated the twentieth anniversary of the foundation of their settlement in true holiday fashion,- and thanks to the Amor Patrie of a few spirited individuals the bill of fare as regards amusements was both varied and ample. Foremost in the list stood the Aquatic Sports, and owing to the energy .of Messrs. Carkeek, .Rhodes,' Vale - ! i tine, Burke, Owen, and others of the Managing Committee, this truly national and popular pastime 'passed ;off with more than usual eclat. The weather, although threatening at one period.of the day, was everything that nautical - men could wish, there being sufficient wind to test the skill of the various competitors. The prize fund, which was liberally contributed to, was eagerly contended for, and taking it altogether yesterday's regatta will serve as a pleasant memory for some time to come, and we hope form a precedent for the future. Subjoined is the result of the various matches. At past-past 10, a gun was fired to warn the contending parties to prepare. FIRST RACE For four-oart>d gigs. Entrance, 10s, 6d. First prize, £7, second iriz.e, =£3 j Distance, once round, about four mile/ Mr. Valentine's IVatencilch 1 .Mr. Gooden's Undine 2 Mr Kinnairii's Stranger 3 Captain Meuzie's Little Kit 4 The boats got away well together, M*. Valentine's Waterwitch taking the lead, closely followed by the Undine, Stranger, and Little Kit, and the same order was kept throughout the race. After passing the flag boat off Point Jorninghara, the Stranger, lost her rudder, and the Waterwitch and Undine considerably increased 1 their distance between the two other boats. A severe struggle then ensued between the Watenvitch and Undine, the latter pressing the former very much, and for sometime it was considered very doubtful which would be the winning boat. On .rounding the flag -boat off Pipi tea Point, ..the Watenvitch slightly increased the Je.ad, beiiig still hard pressed by the Undine, aiid ultimately won one of thetnostclosely contested races we have witnessed' for some years. The time' occupied in completing the distance, (about four miles,) wa3 Waterwitch, rain. ; Undine, 40 rain. ; Stranger ; 40 £ mm.; Little Kit, 44 mm. SECOND RACE For Dingies or ships cutters not exceeding 22 feet keel, over 22 feet keel to allow one minute per foot. Entrance TOs 6d. First prize £8. Second prize, £4. The following boats were entered : — Mr. Burkes Stot/t 1 Mr. GoodeH's Grasshopper 2 Mr. Valentine's Sieve 3 Mr. Bannister's Midye Mr. Bannister's Active Mr. Muir's Nautilus Mr. Owens Currency Lass I 1 - Mr. Kinnaird's Northern Light ■ There was some difficulty in starting in consequence of the number of boats, and being too closely together ; the Nautilus fouled the Sieve, and carried away her bobstay. The Swift took the lead closely followed by the Grasshopper and Midge, the other boats bringing up the rear. On rounding the flag boat off Oriental Bay, the Nautilus overhauled her competitors, and took up the fourth ! position, the Swift still keeping the lead followed by the Grasshopper and Midge On rounding the flag-boat off Jerningham Point the breeze increasing, several of the boats gave in, and others reefed their sails and proceeded on. The Swift having a- -half-deck and wash board, was able to cWry all sail; and kept gallantly on, followed by the GrassJwpper and Sieve. On rounding the Pipitea flag boat; the Swift shook off the whole of her competitors, having the race completely in her own hands, and ultimately won by 19 mm. 30 sec. The time occupied was Swift 2h. 36m., Grasshopper, 2h. 55 £m. Sieve 3h. 3m. The other boats were no where. THIKD RACE. For Cargo Boats of any description not exceeding 30 feet keel, over 30 feet to allow half a minute per foot. Entrance £1 Is. First Prize, £10, Second Prize, J£s. Distance twice round. Mr. Hougbton's 8r0ther5,,.,.... 1 Mr. Milo's Pearl 2 Captain Blair's Mann 3 Mr. Will* City of London 4 Mr. Habbittle's Fly 0 This was a most interesting race, the breeze being particularly suitable for vessels of this class. On the gun firing at half-past 1, they all got away together, the My taking the lead, and the other boats being in close attendance. On rounding the flag boat off Point Jerningham, they changed positions, the Brothers taking the lead, the Maori second, and the others following. The same relative positions were kept until passing the

flag boat off Pipifcea Point the second round, -when the Pearl overhauled the Maori, and took the second place. The Pearl pressed the Brothers very closely, but the latter ultimately won by 30 sec. FOURTH RACE. Licensed Watermen's Boat Race. — Pair of Sculls, Entrance lOs. 6d., Prize' £5, second Prize £1. Distance, once round. . I Mr. Valentine's Annie Laurie 1 Mr. Biirke's Currency Lass 2 Mr. Spiuks' Shamrock 3 Oil starting, Currency Lass took the lead, followed by Annie Laurie and Shamrock, but when off the Oliver Lang, Mainey, the rower of the Currency Lass, missed liis stroke and fell backward?, when Annie Laurie passed her competitor, and kept the lead to the finish. Shamrock put back. DUCK HUNT. Prizx £2. Joseph Milo — •duck, A two oared boat pulled by Hewitt and Grainoy. Time ten minutes. Won by Milo. This hunt afforded a great deal of amusement to the spectators Milo, the duck, was in a diminutive boat, suilioioiit only to cany one man. After the gun firing, the duck started, followed by the boat, and after a good deal of dodging, caught the boat under Betlmne ami Hunter's wharf; but the duck jumped overboard, evaded their grasp, and by swimming about the wharf, thus kept them occupied till the time was up. The Wonr/a W-mga visited the Island twice during the day, and about 5 o'clock proceeded to the Lighthouse when parties had a first rate opportunity of witnessing the efficiency of this groat acquisition to the entrance of our harbour, and returned much pleased with their trip. RURAL SPORTS. „ . , Mr. Hotermund, anxiously catering for his friends and -patrons, threw open his paddocks to the public, and with the assistance of a few friends instituted many and varied rural sports. The grounds at an early hour were thronged by a merry crowd, and prizes for leaping, racing, climbing, &c. .were, under the judicial management of F. A. Adams Esq., spiritedly contended for, and nearly every prize was swept aw. ay by •' the red jackets. To the inviting strains of a splendid band, many tript it on the light fantastic toe to a late hour, while others enjoyed the ever popular pastime of kiss in the ring. The following is a List of the Sports — 1. Foot Race, Hurdles, heats. Musters .1 0 .1 '" .--.Desmond 2 0 2. llfaiilmi 0 1 3 '"""'' 2. Gi.tgling Mateh — S. Hodgson. 3. Second do. Sergeant -Murphy 4. Third do. . I]odgsou « 5. Jumping in Sacks — Cleuiy. 6. Mile Race — not decided. 7. Wheelbarrow ltaee — Murphy Ist. and Speck 2nd. 8. Hopping Match— -Lockhart Ist. and Lac 2nd. 9. High Jump — Lee. 10. Foot Hace, twice round, heats. Ormond 1 1 0 I Desmond 2 0 2 U. Juvenile ftace—M'Carthy Ist. and Clout 2nd. 12. Grinning through Horse Collar — Hodgson Ist. and Cleary 2nd. 13. Picking up Stones, 50 distance 1 yard apart. White Ist. and Lamb 2nd. 14. Juvenile Hace— Ames Ist. and Roberts 2nd. 15. Wheelbarrow liace — Hodgson, Ist. and -Spick 2nd. Mit. Mansill's Gardens. — Last but I not least, Mr. Mansill threw open ' his.; : beautiful gardens to the public where ! Mr. Hall and pupil astonished and delighted his visitors by their marvellous feats. In fact these gentlemen in our opinion rank as the first acrobats of the day, and never was applause more lavishly or better earned than was yesterday by Mr. Hall and his young friend. Dancing, fireworks and other amusements contributed to our enjoyment. The courtesy of • the host and hostess, the good order preserved, and the happy faces around us, enabled us thoroughly to appreciate the scene. Nor must we omit to mention the Wizard Homer and his spirits, whose unwearied good humour, and anxiety to please gave additional pleasure. The Company did not separate until a late hour.