ANNIVERSARY DAY

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 567, 20 December 1881, Page 2

ANNIVERSARY DAY

ON THE PENINSULA.

THE REGATTA,

Very anxious indeed were the looks that w"re cast heavenward oil 'Thursday evening, for the sky looked cloudy and the ghss was quite low enough to betoken rain, and all those interested .were pleased when the morning: of the 16th dawned cilm and beautiful. All the work had been completed except the shifting of those vessels that were in the way of the races, and moving the committee ship in her right position off the wharf. This was speedily accomplished and the harbor in which wore many small crafts, looked remarkably well. The handsome ketch, Catlin, was kindly lent to the officers by her master, Cnpt. Cowan, for a committee ship, and very gay she looked, being beautifully dressed in the brightest bunting. The Amateur was also a mass of flags, and the other vessels hoisted all they could. Ashore every possible preparations had been made for the visitors. A line of booths stretched along the reserve opposite Mr Garwood's, and Wagstaffs and Bruce's Hotels had done all in their power, to stretch their powers of ' accommodation to the utmost. At the other end '" Commodore Rich," the new landlord of the Criterion, had stretched a double line of flags from the hotel to the Bank of New Zealand, and the houses that represent Portugal and the Teutonic Empire were also dressed in their best clothes. Gladly indeed was the news received from Lyttelton at 9 a.m., that the s.s. Penguin had sailed with about SCO passengers aboard, and when at 12 45 p.m. she ran alongside the wharf, she was received with hearty cheers. She had had a pleasant passage down, and the ladies looked less crumpled and the gentlemen less sullen then they usually do after an excursion. The Regatta had been kept waiting i'or the arrival of the Christchurch contingent, and not a moment was loM, after shs got alongside. The Lyttelton Band, who we maVj here say, played capitally throughout the d .y, adding iii no small degree to the general enjoyment, went ashore at once and commenced business, the and surlers and their crow tumbled into the boat and pulled tlie officers of the Regatta oil: to the Commiitee ship, the signal being hoisted lor the yachts to. prepare to start. Everyone ucknowiedged'fhe Regatta as a who.c AViia the best held .in Akaroa for many years. There was no inuddie, everything being donu decently and in order, each officer and member of tne committee stick ing to his podt manfully from the oaginning to the cud. Where all worked ao well it id invidious to particularise, but one cannot help mentioning the very great services rendered by Messrs H. Aylmer and La Ccwte, who for several days before the Regatta gave nearly the whole of their time in making preparations for it. Too much praise also can hardly be given to Captain, (Jowan of the Catlin i'or his courtesy and kindness, and the untiring help of himself and his crew in working the Regatta is gratefully acknowledged by the committee. Of all those, however, who deserve thanks and their number ia great, we should wish most particularly to praise the starters, Messrs Packlund and Pavitt, their coxswain, Air Crosbie, and the other gentlemen who composea the crow. Coming at great inconvenience from. Ohr.s'x'huri.ih the&ts iruc ineudo Oi j

Aiviaua jumped into \uu uout at once and went to work, and their labors were not ended till the warning whistle of tho steamer cautioned them to go aboard. At a jolly littie meeting held aboard tne committee's ship, at tho clo.se oil the day, tho Hon. Sec. had the pleasure oi proposing the health of those gentlemen who had come so far and worked so hard tor the sake of the liegatta. Messrs Packard, Pavitt and Crosbio responded, an we are glad to say announced their intention o£ hslping again another year if possible. They took occasion also to congratulate the committee on the complete success of the Regatta. The steam launch was kept near the committee ship ready to aid any diabled vessel or boat, and did good service when the outriggers were swamped. The people ashore were most orderly, and the services of tho police were not lequired, though Sergeant Willis and his force were ready in case of

an emergency

The officers of llcgatta were :—Commodore—Mr W. li. Tosswill. Judges— Messrs J. Aylmer, J. Welch, H. Hawkins \V. Maeoiield, VV. Wilkins, and W. H. Hargreaves. Starters—Messrs Frank Pavitt and VV. Packard. Timekeeper—Mr La Coate. Hon Secretary and Treasurer— Mr 11. 0. Jauobson. Committee—Messrs W. H. Henning, G. Armstrong, Black, Westenra, Adams, P. S. Baker, M. Daly, 11. Aylmer, J. D. Garwood, E. S. Latter, and Key H. Stocker.

Oi the eight events on the programme* every one was hotly contested with the exception of the most insignificant, v i iingle sculling race. Tim yacht race ex-

cited great inl-nvt. Ii w.is known Hint the Wellington yacht, the Xaiir'ii, had been altered sinoe she last sailed in Lyttelton and many thought that the pluck of her owner, Mr Mills, and the -skill ,, of Captain Butt, her toaster, might be rewarded. The local yacht too—the Chance, had not been tried, and s'le had her admirers, though, most people stuck to the Dove, the result they were right. It was a great disappointment that the Fleetwing which was in harbor did not go, but she has been altered from "a racing vessel into a pure pleasure yacht and had no fitting canvass bent. Great improvements have been made in the FJet-twing'a accommodation, and she is now a really comfortable yacht with a nice cabin. We cannot help congratulating Captuiu Foster on the apple-pie order prevailing aboard. The wind was very uncertain during tho race, sometimes blowing half a gale from the S.W. and at others falling very light.

The two outrigger races were pulled under widely different conditions. The sea was very rough and the wind strong during the time the double sculling race was pulled, and the word that passed round that it wad the bailer that won the race was not altogether wrong. Had there been smooth water we believe the O.R.C. would have placed this race to their credit as they were pulling well within themselves, with a strong lead when the boat filled with water. The Pair-oar, however, was pulled in smooth water, and Lyttelton won by sheer strength and skill. Their pulling was magnificent, and a word o£ praise is duo to their coxswain, the plucky little Donovan. The sailing races in open boats were well competed for. In that for (he larger there was one post entry, that of the Blanche, from Lyttelton. The wind was very variable, but generally light, during thie race, which fell to Mr Henning's Pinafore, entered by Mr Stewart. The Commodore, was a good second. For boats 20ft keel and under there were four entries, Mr Joseph Bates boat Wainui winning very easily. The Canoe Eace was admirably contested, but Mr Jones added another to his many victories, though hard pressed by the representatives of the Trades llowing Club. The Pair-oar Dingy Eace for by boys under 18 was won very easily by the Annie Wright, whiuh had a Maori crew. A protest was lodged with the judges by the crew of the Black Bess, the other boat competing, on the ground that the Maoris were over 18 This will have to be decided by the judges before the prize will be awarded. The beautiful champion flag that is given by some of the ladies of Akaroa to the winning yacht will of course fa , l to the yacht Dove, and it will no doubt be flying triumphantly at her masthead when she enters the lists at Lyttelton. The following is a detailed account of each race :—

Yacht Race, open to all comers. Two to start or no race ; entrance, £2 2h. First prizo, £30; second prize, £5. Dove, Mr H. tlutcbinson, 24 tons ... 1 Xarifa, Cuptain Butt, 15£ tons 2

Chance, Messrs Black and Brown, 7 tons 3

The Dove kopt tin. , other yachts waiting some time, ami at last took up v position a, little to leeward of her proper place. When the signal was given at 1.29.42, the (Jliance was mneh the smartest nvvay, and the Xnril'A next, ihe big one losing several seconds. Thu appearance of the crews of the Xarif i and (Jhmcewas very good, all wearing appropriate dresses, but tho Dove's crew were by no means so " well feathered though iliey had tbe wings.' . As the yachts stretched out for the Red House buoy the Floetwing joined and very pretty they looked dancing on the sea to a fresh breeze in the bright sunshine. The Cnance held hr own for a bit, but when tho breeze strengthened the Wig yacht got the most way on her, and once the Isbinl buoy was passed she ran towards T*;knu at a speed that soon dis-a'iccd her opponents, The oJove wi.s greeted with a hearty cheer when she rounded the flag Bhip the Jfirst time at 2 42.40, the Xarif a, being just nine minutes later, rounding at 2.51.40, The Chance passed at 2.57.20. The wind fell very light and baffling, and sometimes it was almost calm, hut the Dove held her own and won at 4.24.27., the, winning gun going off amid loud cheers. The Xarifa came in at 4.42 55., and the Chance at 5.12.10.

Double Sculling Race, in stump outriggers ; entrance, £2 2s. First prize, £15; second prize, £5. No Niune, Lyttelton Rowing Clvb —Crew, W. Fitzsiimnons (bow), G-eorge Graham (stroke), Donovan (cox) 1 Onuku, Akaroa llowing Clvb —Grow, A. L. Stuart (bow), W. Stuart (stroke).

W. Rodorigu.es (cos) 2 Nikn'i, Union Rowing Club—Crew, Charles

Stringer (bow), Fred Fuller (stroke-)

Charles Stycho (cox) 0 Ken, Canterbury Rowing Club— Hrew, C. M. Boulton (bow), J. F. Grierson (stroke) ... '.. ... 0

This race started at 2.1.50. Mr Pavitt sent them away well together, but the sea was very rough and tho wind strong. The Onuku soon got ahead and turned the first buoy with a lead, but the C.E.O. crew wanned to their work and shot past at the second buoy, passing the Hag ship (he first time several lengths ahead, rowing well within themselves.- The other boats were close together, the Onuku being second, but just before she rounded the flag ship the Nikau filled, and her crew had to he taken upon the launch. The sea was too much for the Onuku at this time and she had to go under the lee of the Antelope to bail out, and was apparently out of the race, for the Kea was far ahead, and the Lyttelton men shot past pulling strong, their smait little coxswain cheering them on and bailing out the water with a large dipper. The Onuku, .however, as soon as clear started again, and was well rewarded, for the Kea came to grief going round the first buoy the second time, arid the Onuku went flying after tho Lyttelton boat, but never got near, the No Name winning at 2.24.15, the Onukii coining in at 2.26.59. Sailing Race in cpen t boats ; open to all comers; entrance, £1 Is. First prize, £15 ; second, £5. Pinafore. A. L. Stuart 1 Dream, W. B. Tossvviil 2 Avalanche, T. S. Baker... ... ... 0 Blanche, Sinclair 0 Mr B. S. Lattor's May was al&o entered, but was scratched. The race was started by Mr Packard at 2.56.29, alter a great deal o£ troulile and delay caused by the Pinafore nojt turning up. Immediately after the start the boats drifted about becalmed, and the wind was very light and variable throughout. At one time it looked as if tho Dream would win and

H.t another , the French Farm boat seemed '.o have the pull, but the winner turned up in the Pinafore, who won at 5.3'2.yth0 Commodorte's boat (the winner o£ last year) came in second at 5-35.21.

PAin-OAfi Dingy Race; for youths under 18. lirst prizfc, £3 ; second prize, £1. Annie Wright—Crew, Hokianga (bow), J. Williams (stroke) , 1 Black Bess—Grow, Brown (bow), Miinro (stroke) 2

This race .the worst in the Regatta, \vnt> started at 3.21. The Annie Wright hnd it all her own way, and won at 3.34.25. A protest was entered.

Canoe Race ; entrance, 10s 6d. First

prize, Cup, presented by Messrs Coates and Co., and £5 ; second prize, £2. Kathleen, J. 0. Jones 1 T.R.C. Canoe, William Lamb ... 2 T. 8.0. Canoe, W. J. Wood 0 The Isabel was also entered by T. Checkley, but he was unable to compete being away in one of the sailing boats. The start was at 3.37.38, and Jones took the lead and kept it in spite of the T.R C. The Kathleen won at 3.49.45. and tit 3.50.10 Lamb passed the ship. Smlixg Rack in open boats, 20£t keel and under; centre-board boats to be sealed up, false keel allowed ; seven seconds par foot time allowance ; entrance, 10s. First prize, £8 : second prize, £2. Wainui, Joseph Bates ... 1 Sausage Skin, F. Arming 2 Dauntless, Joseph Hammond 0 Paul Pry, W. Glynan 0 Mr Packard started them well together at 3.39 55. The unfortunate Dauntless, whose mast and rigging, to say the least of it, might have been stronger, fouled the bow of the Catlin, but she eventually went on her way rejoicing. The wind was very light, and it was 5.12.40 before the Wainui won, It wag a tight thing between her and the butcher's boat, which camo in only 27 seconds later, at 5.13.7. The others were never in it. Pair-oared Race, in stump outriggers. Entrance, £2 2s. First prize, £15 , second prize, £5. No Name, Lyttelton Rowing Club.— T, Harkiss, Bow; C. Fitzsimmons. stroke ; Donevan, cox 1 Kea, Canterbury Rowing Club—Crew, C. B. Dobson, bow; L. M. OHivier, stroke 2 This race was a splendid one. It was started at 4.2.25., both crews bending to it merrily. Ljitetton forged ahead by splendid rowing and passed the flagship at 4.11.48. The C.R.C rounding it at 4.12.2. Like grim death the boats contested the second round every inch being an inch. but Lyttleton had the lead and kept winning the fastest and beat pulled outrigger race ever rowed in Akaroa at 4.21.55. The Koa whs only a few second behind, passing the Catlin at 4.22.29. Both crews were loudly cheered as they came in.

This was the last event on the programme aurt the' steamer's whistle warned her passengers that they must make their brief farewells. Shortly after 6 p.m. the Penguin started amid a storm of cheers, and tlie Akaroa people were just leaving the wharf when it was observed that there was something wrong , aboard the steamer for her propellor was stopped, and the cry of a man overboard was raised. The watchers cotdd see two men jump overboard, a life buoy thrown, and a bo-it lowered. After a while some men wen; taken up by the boat, and the steamer slowly resumed her way, f-o it w.is hoped all was well, but the coming of Mr Biiike, who had been off with a passenger, wa* anxiously looked for. He brought sail intelligence indeed, for his news was that one of the sailors hud lost his life. He had fallen overboard while fixing the full on one of the davits after hauling up the starboard boat, and though lie rose and ftruck out for the shore did not catch hold of a life buoy that was thrown to him, and sunk again to rise no more. The police sent off a boat to search for the body, but W'-re unsuccessful. On Saturday, however, the corpse was recovered, and an inquest will be held to-day. This sad event cast quite a gloom over the close of one of tha most successful Kegattas ever held in Akaroa.

(For continuation of Anniversary Day see Supplement. J