ANNIVERSARY REGATTA.

Auckland Star, Volume III, Issue 626, 13 January 1872, Page 2

ANNIVERSARY REGATTA.

The thirty-second anniversary of the proclamation of this colony as a British dependency is fast approaching, and the Regatta Club seem determined that the 29th January, 1872, shall not pass over without some demonstration of an unusually lively kind. The working committee has been judiciously selected ; and they have with great care drawn up a programme of races which cannot fail of giving tho utmost satisfaction provided the weather remain reasonably fine. Not the last merit in the programme is that it provides for the competition of vessels of a large class, thereby giving shipbuilders an opportunity of comparing the lines of their respective vessels, and finding out the best proportions for both speed and sea going qualities. Similar reasons led many years ago to the development of horse racing in England, and tho result has been the production of horses of quality unequalled in any part of the world. Similarly may it be anticipated that by like fostering of the ship-building art, our galleys will ere long take the leading position, the more so, as the timber of this Island cannot be excelled, or even equalled in any other part of tho world. Our Regatta Club therefore deserve the utmost credit for having devoted part of their energies into this channel; and that the more because the Australians have in their regatta meetings almost entirely ignored the importance of ship-building, and have generally devoted all their energies to the improvement of boats. Other matters have also been well arranged ; and from the number of boats and vessels already in course of preparation, wo certainly think that the regatta of 1872 bids fair to eclipse all the previous ones. We find also that the committee have made application to the Harbour Board for permission to fence in the outer T of "the wharf. This permission, we think, ought decidedly to bo granted, for it is absolutely necessary to the success of amusements of the kind, that some place should bo set apart for those who elect to pay a small fee for the right of occupying the best places for viewing the sports. Tho flagship of course is far too small to accommodate all tho would-bo spectators. Everything augurs well for the success of this year's regatta, and we anticipate a much better show than usual, the more especially as the Auckland Rowing Club have now arrived at full life and vigour, and are likely to turn out several excellent crews. In regard to these, however, we must confess that wo should like to see tho stroke better pulled out. In those that have lately been practising there has been a decided shortwindedness and stiffness iv the back. This, however, may easily be remedied.