THE Wellington Independent. Friday, January 24, 1862. CELEBRATION OF THE TWENTY SECOND ANNIVERSARY. THE REGATTA

Wellington Independent, Volume VI, Issue 1694, 24 January 1862, Page 2

THE Wellington Independent. Friday, January 24, 1862. CELEBRATION OF THE TWENTY SECOND ANNIVERSARY. THE REGATTA

Wednesday last being the 22nd Anniversary of the arrival of the first settler* in Port Nicholson, was observed as a general holiday ; and the Government Offices, Banks and other places of business were closed. The day was delightfully fine, with a light wind from the S.E., just sufficient to enable the boats that contested for the various piizes to carry all sail. In the early morning, it had every appearance of being a calm day; there was not a cloud to be seen, nor a ripple on the waters of our noble harbor, and it was thought probable, that the sailing matches would have to be postponed. About 10 a.m., however, a light breeze sprung up from the S.E.. to the no small deligbt/6f many, which al once cooled the atmosphere, and admitted of the sailing matches being proceeded with. „-• : -

The various ships in harbour were gaily decked with the flags of all nations, as were many flag-staffs on shore, Mr. Rotermund's and Messrs. Bethuue & Hunter's being most conspicuous. The boats started from Messrs. Bethune & Hunter's wharf ; and hero the people congregated together. There was a large assemblage of persons; but of course, nothing to be compared with the meetings that took place in the earlier years of the colony, before the settlers had spread themselves over the province. A band was stationed at Messrs. Bethune & Hunter's store, and greatly enlivened the scene by playing a nurnbar of spirited airs.

The arrangements for the Regatta •were most complete, and reflected great credit upon Messrs. Hunter and Woodgate, and those gentlemen associated with them. If it had not been for the indefatigable exertions of those gentlemen, it is questionable if their would have been any Regatta at all ; and it is really surprising that they could in so short a time produce such .an excellent Bill of Fare, There was plenty of sport, and the interest in Ihe several matches never flagged during the day. W, B. Rhodes, Esq., and Stephen Carkeek, FiSq., were appointed Judges, and performed their duties effectually and well. About 11*30 a.nv, the preparation gun was fired, aocl shortly afterwards the respective boats took up their positions opposite Messrs. Bethuue & Hunter's wharf FIRST RACE. Gig Race— Entrance 10s 6d. First prize, £10 ; second prize £5, Course — From abreast Messrs, Bethuue & Hunter's wharf, twice round the flag-boats, keeping all the shipping on the port baud, and back to the wharf. Distance about 3 miles. The following boats were entered to oontest for the prizes : — Mr. A. Hickson's •» Waterwitch." ... 1 Capt. Mundle's VVild Duck " ... 2 Mr. H. Owen's " Undiue" ... 3 At 1 1*5 a.m., the second gun fired, and off the boats started at a dashing pace. The start was a very good one ; the Water- j witch, however, soon took the lead, closely followed by the Wild Duck, the Undine last.

The boats kept the same relative positions uutil rounding the Buoy boat off Pipitea, the Waterwich being closely pressed by the Wild Duck, when both i boats increased the distance between the Undine. On passing the winning boat, first time round, the distance between the Waterwich and Wild Duck was about 30 yards, and the Undine was about 300 yards astern. The Waterwich then went ahead, and increased the distance between the Duck, the Undine dropping further astern. The boats kept the the same relative positions until the end oftha race, the Waterwich coming at 11---31., the Wild Duck 1 m. 30 s. after her, and the Undine 3 m. after the first boat. It was a very pretty race indeed, pluckily contested, but it was seen from the com- ' mencemeut that tbe Undine had no chance with the larger boats. Second Race. For Dingies or ships Cutters not exoeediDg 22 feet keel, over 22 feet to allow one minute per foot. Entrance 10s. 6d. First prize £6; ' second do., £3. The course was reversed. The following boats were entered — Mr. H. Owen's " Swift," 1 Mr. J. Underwood's " Albemarle," 9 Mr. J. Hebberley's " Nautilus," . . 3 This was a very pretty race indeed, and excited considerable interest. Tbe Nautilus was the favorite at starting, having won a similar race at the last Regatta. The Swift had also her backers, as she was j known to be a fast boat. A very good i start was effected. Shortly after starting, the Swift mistaking the course, was runing before the wind ; but observing the course the Nautilus was taking, she hauled on the wind, and was the first round the flag boat off Oriental Bay, the Nautilus second, and the Albemarle third, i The Swift kept the lead for a consider- J able distance across the bay, the Nautilus having taken the second position, and neither boat seemed to gain upon the other. The Nautilus, however, ultimately passed tbe Swift, and took a considerable lead. On passing the buoy boat off Pipitea, the Swift again came up, and in beating up to windward, took the lead, I closely followed by the Albemarle, the i Nautilus bringing up the rear. On passing the flag boat off the wharf, the Albemarle took the lead, to the buoy boat off Oriental Bay ; when the boats again changed positions, the Swift taking the lead, closely followed by the Albemarle, and the Nautilus considerably astern. Tbe same order was kept until the end of the race, the Swift coming in at 10 minutes past 1 o'clock, the Albemarle I minute after her, and the Nautilus 3 minutes after the first boat. ' Third "Race. Cargo Boats of any description. Entranoe £1 Is. First prize £10; second do., £4, third boat to save entrance. Course same as the last. The following boats were entered — Mr. Milo's ••Pearl" .... \ Mr. W. Haybittle'a " Petrel," . . . . 2 Mr. G. Houghton's " Try again,".. 3 Mr. G. Houghton's " Brothers," .... 4. Mr. R. Haybittle's " Try for it," . . 5 Mr. A. Hickson's " Burnhatn," ..6 . Mr. J. F. Will's " Maori," . . . . 7

This race was an exceedingly good one, and was an agreeable disappointment to many, who did not anticipate

much sport from this race. The boats made a capital start, all getting away well together. Shortly after starting the Pearl drew ahead, and took the lead, closely followed \,y the " Try for it," all the other boats being in close attendance. Ihe Pearl kept the lead throughout, and was considerably in advance at the close of the race, but was nearly loosing it, by coming up to the wharf instead of rounding the (kg boat. On discovering her mistake she nm out to the buoy boat, and was closaly followed by the Petrel. This ! raco is disputed by the Petrel, the owner of which alleges that the Pearl did not go round the course stated. The other boats came in in the order above. This was certainly the best race of the kind that has taken place for many years, and was very closely contested indeed. Fourth Race. Gig Race, by Amateurs — Entrance 10s. 6d. First Prize £4, second, £2. Course same as the last. The following boats were entered : — Mr. A. Rickson's " Waterwitch," . . 1 Mr. Haybittle'a " Undine," . . . . 2 Mr. Alex. Bowler's " Wild Duck," . . 3 This race excited considerable interest, and was certaiuly the most pleasing feature in the day's amusements. The following are the crews of the several boats :— Waterwitch — Robert Smith, J. Smith, L. Buck, Fred. Hickson, John Kirwan ; Alfred Mill?, Coxswain. Undine — George Tattle, Alf. 'Johnson' R. Johnson, A.Sedcole ; Samuel Waters, Coxswain. Wild Duck— C. Meech, H. Meech, A. Bowler, Kees, Ladd, Wyndass ; H. Bowler, Coxswain. The boats made a capital start, the Undine taking a slight lead, but the Waterwiteh soon took the lead, which she kept throughout, coming in 1 minute before the Undine, and the lutter 1 mm, before the Wild Duck, The pulliug was remarkably good ; and we hope to see the Amateurs come- out in greater force next year. Fifth Race. Waterman's Boat Race, pair of sculls — Entrance, 10s. 6d. First Prize, £2, second, £1. The following boats were eutered :— Mr. E. Hewitt's " Han/iah," 1 Mr. J. Hebberley's "Allow mo to be there," 2 Mr. C. Goodin'a " James Phillips,". . . .' 3 This was a well contested race, the three boats keeping well together throughout, and was ultimately won by Hewitt. Sixth Race. Sculling Match for dingles— First Prize £4, second £2. The following boats were entered — Mr. J. Hebberley'd " Sarah,".,.. 1 Mr. J Davison's " Randolph,", . . 2 Mr: Short's " Alert," 3 Mr. Phillips' '• Sisters," .... 4 This was the only bad start that was made during the day, the boats not being ready when the gunfired. The race was well contested, howover, Hebberly coming off the victor. Seventh Race, Duck Race — Entrance, ssi Prize £], J. Milo as Duck, and J. Hebberly, and E. Hewitt following. This race caused considerable amusement, and was kept up for some time. The duck, however, gave himself up before the time had expired, and Hebberly and Hewitt won. This ended the programme of aquatic sports, but no little diversion was afforded by the RURAL SPORTS, Climbing the greasy pole, for a leg of mutton and 10s., was not tried for. Jingling Match, for ss. Job Short, jingler, was won by Crawson. Second time by Costello, Jumping in sacks for 7s 6d, won by Walsh, second time, ss, won by Walsh. Wheelbarrow Race, blindfolded, for 10s, won by Hqwell ; second time, by Walker; third lime, by Stapleton. Foot Race ; first, ss, second is. Lee, Ist ; Booth, 2nd,

Boys Race, 5s first, Is second. Mo Carty, first, Clout, second.

Anniversary Ball.— ln the evening, the Odd Fellows' Hall, with its splendid suite of rooms were thrown open to the public. Dancing commenced at 10 o'clock, and was kept up with great spirit, qua-' drilles, polkas, and other dances following each other in rapid succession, until early morn, when the company retired to their respective homes. Mr. Freeman provided the refreshments, which were of the best description and in abundance, and a quartette band played an excellent selection of dance music.

The fineness of the day induced an unusually large number to avail themselves of the opportunities for out door reoreatiou. Round the rocks, at the various Tea Gardens, and up shady valleys, very many took their pleasure ; while at the Suuday School gathering on the Botanical reserve, Karori road, the number of visitors and children was unusually large, all thoroughly enjoying both themselves and the excellent tea provided for them,