AKAROA

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1491, 25 January 1861, Page 4

AKAROA

Christmas festivities were inaugurated at the head of Akaroa bay on the 26th instant, by a good flat race, in half-mile heats, on the lone saud between Duvauohelle's eastern extreme and the Traveller's Rest. Five horses werg entered, at £2 each, and these ten pounds were carried to the credit of Mr. Macintosh's mare Chance. Uoualderiible interest in this race was lost by the fact that a handsome black mare, from her saddle slipping round, lost a good opportunity of showing the winner how narrowly her uame fitted. In the afternoon a well contested boat race was run ; the winners of the first offering to do the trick over again in their adversary's boat, gave spectators an opportunity of seeing the advantages of length, since when tbis change was effected, the is- '„ „ second race showed thenj behind \ WS'3'jT

vented other acquatic sports taking place. A foot race was started and cleverly won by James Blay. When the shades of evening prevailed, a numerous company assembled in a handsome booth to enjoy the pleasuies of the dance, aud as usual on such occasions declined, and kept their words, " to go home till morning." The town of Akaroa held their festivities in the shape of the Grand Akaroa Regatta, on January the lst, 1861, the attendance at which, and spirit displayed far exceed that of any former year. lst race—For £10, was won by the Messis. Pawson, 5 oared whale boat, " I will if I can ;" steered by that veteran blubber-hunter Tom White.

2nd race — For £5, was run by sailing boats, and won by Mr. A. E. White's " Sylph," under the care of James O'Brien, a discreet and cunning web foot. 3rd race — For £5, between 5 oared whale boats, under canvass, was won by Maories, Bobby it the helm. 4tb race— A canoe race between 3; one manned by Kanakas, the second by Maories, and the third by Europeans and Maories, for £2 10s., the Kanakas knocking out of time both their competitors. sth race — A four oared race for £5 was won by Shadboldt's Defiance, beating Shepherd's Annie Laurie ; a good race, well contested and hardly won. 6th. race — A skulling match for £l was won by Peter, finishing with a duck hunt, which our French friends say was a " canard." Other sports during the running of these races occupied the amused attention of many groups on shore, The foot races of 200 and 100 yards were credits added to the same long-winded individual who " walked " off with them in so cool a manner at the head ofthe bay, The leg of mutton and fixings, which, by the by, included a sovereign, were won by a young athlete from the Green Isle, whose last school of practice embraced sundry rigid stays and back stays, tenanted and held by the worthy commander of the Matoaka. Jumping in sacks, wheeling barrows blindfolded, and swimming, the last won by a uative of Savage Island, were all rewarded by the committee in appropriate sums. These gentlemen concluded in a business-like way, by posting in several places a balance sheet, and for their courtesy, attention, pains-taking and providing, are entitled to the thanks of our little . community. On the same evening, constituting their second anniversary, the brethren of the Loyal Good Intent Lodge of Odd Fellows. M.U., dined at Bruce's hotel, where the new landlord and host, G. Scarborough, displayed fixings that brought to mind and taste some of those curious " feeds" which memory delights to recall in the old country. Deportment masters and professors of dancing in many parts might have hailed tbeir pupils' achievements at a ball on the same evening as a proof that tbeir little bill had always been presented for " value received."

Thus ended New Year's Day in Akaroa, with many a hope expressed on all sides that Banks' Peninsula was in a fair way to realize not a few of the hopes entertained by its inhabitants.