Auckland Annual Regatta.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue VI, 7 February 1903, Page 400

Auckland Annual Regatta.

COMMITTEE. Messrs T. T. Masefield (chairman), W. C Somers D Gouk, A. Alison, S. D. Hanna. W. C. Bruce, W. Cowan. L. Lewis. E H. Montgomery, F. Hattley, R. Mast J. Endean, J. Alexander 11. 1 pgan. jun.. A. Glover, T. B. O’Connjr, M. XV. Ish, W. Sesar, G. 11. Broughton. G W. S. Patt* i son. Captain Reid, Captain Parker. M. Passmore, W. C. Walker A G. Busby, A. WatkinMOn. Chairman of Committee: Mr T. T. Masefield. Handicappers Sailing; Races: Messis C. Kilfcyle. R. Masefield, and W. Carter. Handicappers Motor Yachts: Mr A. Buchanan, Dr. 11. Haines. Starter Sailing Races: Captain Reid. Judge: Mr J. Alexander. Empire: Mr D. Gouk. Starter nnu Umpire Rowing Races: (.’a-ptain Parker: Judge Rowing Races: Mr R. Logan, jun. Timekeepers: Messrs A. Goldwater. Adolph Kohn. Sailing Committee: Messrs F. Battley, C. Kilfoyle. W. Carter, R. Masefield, G. F. Stokes. J. Alexander. Si Io Show Committee: Messrs L. Lewis. V/ Carter, 11. Conk. A. Hewfon, E. H. Montgomery. Flagship and Tender Committee; Messrs T. T. Masefield. C. j. Da ere. W. C. Somers. D. Gouk, Captain Reid. M'-ssrs S. D. Hanna, F. Battley, A. Alison. G. W. S. Patterson, G. F. Stoker. Judge Side Shows: Messrs H. Cooke. A. Hewson. Hon. Treasurer: Mr W. C. Somers. Auditor: Mr XV. Holmes. Secretary: Mr C. C. Dacre.

The sixty-third anniversary of the founding of the colony was celebrated in Auckland last Thursday as a close holiday, the chief event being the annual aquatic carnival. In years gone by greater enthusiasm was displayed in the regatta, but of late horse races and other forms of amusement have considerably interfered with the attendance s. As far as the regatta itself is concerned, however, it is to be hoped it will eve r remain a permanent institution. 'l'he interest taken

in maritime recreation by young Aucklanders is too great, and is gaining ground too rapidly, to allow this healthful pastime to dwindle away in importance, and then again, in order to bring the Epcrt. into prominence, I’here must be F.et apart one day at least in every year when the local fleet can be seen to advantage in a general display, such as is witnessed in the regatta in progress today. The aquatic display in the harbour on the present occasion was a revelation to most Aucklanders. For miles the harbour was covered with the white sails of shapely vessels of divers types, sailing boats and milling craft, and with the broad spread of canvas of the coasting trader. Unfortunately boats of the latter description were very few, and at the committee meeting last evening it was decided, owing to the lack of interest shown, to delete the scow race from the programme. One gratifying feature was evidenced to-day in that a remarkably large number of yachts have been added to our local fleet since last regatta, and as our population grows there is reason to believe that they will go on steadily increasing. 'l'he fact that yachtsmen in the south of-New Zealand, and even Australians, send to Auckland for their boats, shows that they recognise in this city the home of New Zealand, and one of the homes of Australasian. vacht-build-

The committee are Io be congratulated on their efforts to make the regatta a success. It is due to them and lhe public that such valuable prizes were offered. The programme included twenty-seven events. In most of the sailing races there were excellent entries. Tn the ocean handicap yacht race the entries wore exceedingly good, the only rep ret being that Viking was not entered, as a contest between the two rivals, Volunteer and Viking, is always looked upon w it h interest. However, the seven yachts < nt ‘red were among the best of Auckland’s fleet, and gave promise of a gre»t. race. 'l’he rowing events were \ei\y successful. In lhe whaleboat race there were three entrants. Much anpi; cment and interest was displayed in the inan-o’-war naval cutter race. Captain Holiest on, of 11.M.5. Archer, who is a Keen yachts* man, had entered two boats in the race for yachts 26ft overall and under. one of which he sailed himself, it being his expressed wish that hi 4 boats should be allowed to compete with the local <*ra ft. In the race for ship’s gigs two crews from the Lizard took part. lhe ilagship was the Union Company’s steamer Wuihora. The steam-

er was late in arriving, and the first races had to be started from the Queen-street wharf. A fresh breeze from the southwest was blowing, giving the yachts a lead on the run down the harbour, but coining up the harbour again they were compelled to beat for a considerable portion of the course. All the vessels in port were decorated with bunting. OPEN HANDICAP YACHTS. Volunteer finished at 2h 51m 325. Rainbow was next over at three minutes past three. Her time allowance was eight minutes, so that Volunteer had a substantial win. Ida finished third, 3h 16m 225. Then followed Moana at some distance, and then Thetis. FISHING BOATS. Little Jim finished at 2111 .36m 325. ’The Dolphin finished second, 2h 42m 255. The Tattle .Tim thus won by two minutes 53 seconds over time allow-ALL-COMERS’ CRUISERS’ HANDICAP. Mahaki passed the flagship at 3h 4m 225. WairN’e was second, 3h 20m 325, and then Peri, Coruna and Isafrael in that, order. Mahaki thus won. HALF-DKCKED CENTRE-BOARD YACHTS. Dorie finished 3h35m 51s, with Shamrock second, close up, 3h 35m 58s; Horo, 3h 36m 7s. Shamrock won on time allowance. Hetty carried away her mast. YACHTS, 26FT LINEAR RATING. Miro finished first, 3h 46m 555; Speedwell second, 3h 48m 13s; and Matua. 3h 52m 225, with Janet and Eulalie following in that order. Miro won. FISHING BOATS. TUCK STERN, CENTRE-BOARD. Annie finished 3h 48m 17s; Bell. 3h 50m 30s; Kiaora, 3h 51m 12s. The boats evidently mistook the instructions as to where the race finished, as they west up the harbour for a second time. Annie was scratch. Belle bad four minutes and Kiaora throe minutes. DECKED OR HALF-DECKED BOATS. Welcome Jack finished 3h 16m 17s. Aonia was second. 3h 21m 40s, Welcome Jack thus winning. Waioma finished 3h 28m 445, and Merlin 3h 43in 40s. PATIKIS. Rambler was the first past the flagship at 3h 47m 4 Is; Tuna was next, 311 48m 15s, and Wareho third, 4i 10m 535. Tuna won on time allowance. MAIDEN GIGS. Open. Clinker outriggers, distance, 1J miles. Entries—West End R.C., No. 2—F. Thompson (stroke); Mr. Cossar, 3; R. Bigelow. 2; W. Wright, 1. St. George’s R.C.—J. O’Sullivan, stroke; E. Innes, 3; McWilliams, 2; P. Steele, 1. Waitemata 8.C., No. 2 —E. Brewin. stroke; A. S. Allen, 3; IL E. Allen, 2; C. Short, bow; IV. Brewin, cox. The weather was very rough for this race, and there was some talk of abandoning it. Soon after starting the Auckland boat filled with water, and gave up the race. The West End No. 2 boat obtained a good lead, but swainped within a few lengths of the winning point. The others then finished as follows: Waitemata No. 1, first; Waitemata No. 2, second; West End No. 1, third.

MAIDEN WHALEBOAT RACE. Entries.—l, 2 and .3 Hauriki K.C.; Waitemata B. C. —G. Huddlestone (stroke), D. Bell (4), W. Stevens (3), E. Smith (2), H. E. Allen (1), 11. Bailey (cox). Three views started. Waitemata got away with a good lead, maintaining it right through, winning by about two lengths. NAVAL CUTTER RACE. In this race the Devonport Navals, Auckland Navals, and H.M.s. Lizard’s boat competed. The course was aliout three miles. Devonport quickly assumed the lead, and kept it all the way, finishing nearly two minutes ahead of tic Auckland men, the Lizard's crew some distance away, MENOF-WAR RACE (WHALERS). Five boats, two from tlie z\reher, two from the Penguin, and one from the

Lizard, started. The Penguin's boats were heavier than the others, and had little chance. The Lizard’s crew gained a lead early ami won, with the Archer’s crews second ami third. SHIPS’ OR MEN-O-WAR GIGS. A crew from the Lutterworth won this, a crew from the s. e ship coming second. Three other boats started. OIL AND STEAM A ACHTS. ENTRIES. Naomi If., M. A. Jenny, scratch.. 1 Petre], W. Cecil Leys, 2m 10s 2 Union, W. A. Ryan and Co., 3m.. 3 Stanley, Bockaert, 7m. Te Ante, Ryan, 7m. Tokatea, 2m 10s. Whaleboat, 7m. The course was from the Queenstreet Wharf down the harbour and back to the flagship. Naomi 11. got the lead from the start, and drew away from the Petrel on the run dowi.. Petrel gained a bit on the run

back, and finished 24 seconds behind the Naomi, the former thus winning on her time allowance. Union was the third to finish, but was second on time allowance. SIDE SHOWS. The side shows were held on the scow Progress, moored near the flagship, but some of them had to be abandoned owing to the boisterous weather. Mr L, Lewis was in charge of the events. Greasy Boom Jig.—This event created a great amount of aumsement. and was finally won by Gittos, with Sands second. Corfu Dive.—-This was won by Sands, with Payne second. Swimming Race.—Five competitors started in this event, the course being from the Progress to the flagship and back. The event was won by Bell. Greasy Boom.—Out of a number of competitors Gittos won this event, with Sands second.