ANNIVERSARY DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume III, Issue 639, 29 January 1872, Page 2

ANNIVERSARY DAY.

THE EEGATTA

Begattas have always, since the first importation of the pastime from Venice, been a favourite amusement with the maritime portion of the population of England and her colonies. That it should be so, is no wonder, when wc consider our descent from the Sea-Kings and " Hardy Norsemen," and the consequent hereditary bias of the nation towards those pursuits which have rendered it the most powerful and wealthy of nations, and the mistress of the seas. Besides the recreation afforded by these means of working off the superfluous energy of our young men in rowing matches, there is a higher utility in these periodical trials of prowess. The arts of the ship-builder, the sail-maker, the rigger, all benefit immensely by them; and the present fieetness and good qualities of our merchant ships have been obtained by careful observation of the different styles of build, which study has been much facilitated by watching the maneeuvres of the smaller craft pitted against each other in these contests.

The thirty-second anniversary of the declaration of New Zealand as a British colony has, of course, been kept as a stiict holiday, and equally, of course, the principal amusement has been a Regatta. The 29th of January has unfortunately, the last two or three years been remarkable for boisterous weather, and the regattas, therefore, only partially successful. This day, however, has been all that could have been desired ; and, while there has been a good breeze fromjtho S.W., quite sufficient for sailing craft, there has not been too much for the rowers. The programme had been carefully arranged, and every care taken to make the affair a success, which it has undoubtedly been. The Ko nil worth, schooner, Captain Mackenzie, was kindly placed at the disposal of the committee as a flagship, and the outer T- of the wharf railed off and provided with scats for the accommodation of those who chose to pay for it. All the steamers in port, both the sea-going and the small fry, made excursion trips about the harbor during the day, and were one and all crammed. Fort Britomart and the other points of land were crowded with spectators, and tho wharf was densely packed. It had been surmised that the fencing off the outer T would have caused great inconvenience, but in practice it was not found so, on account of the absence of large vessels from the sides of the jetty allowing a good view of the course. During the last two or three weeks immense and unwonted activity has been displayed in boating circles, and boatbuilders and sailmakcrs have all been fully employed. The number of vessels of every rig and build that have appeared to take part in the races is perfectly astonishing, and it is hard to surmise where dozens of them had been hiding previously. For the last few days the harbor has had an unusually lively appearance, in consequence of the great number of small craft, both coasting vessels and yachts, which have been gliding along the surface of the Waitemata with their crews busily employed iv rectifying matters, getting their rigging into a state of perfection, and ascertaining the best sailing trim. All the quiet bays, too, during this unprecedentedly hot weather, have witnessed the perspiring efforts of rowers, to work themselves into a proper state of training. The result has been a success beyond the most sanguine expectation, and a regatta on a scale of magnificence such as has never been witnessed previously in New Zealand waters,

The following arc tho names of the Committee, and it must be acknowledged by every one that a more efficient could not have been selected, and that the manner in which all the arrangements have been carried out is beyond all praise. Committee. Chairman—G Yon der Heyde, Esq. Captain Anderson Mr. A. Nathan Mr. H. Brett Mr. T. Niccol Captain Casey Mr. B. Tonks Captain Clayton Mr. J. Waymouth, Sen. Mr. J. Copland Mr. J. Waymouthjun. Mr. D. B. Cruickshank Captain S. J. Williams Mr. G. 11. Fletcher Mr. Thomas Williams Treasurer—Captain Casey. Auditors—Messrs. D. B. Cruickshank and G. H. Fletcher. Umpire—Mr. T. Niccol. Startor — Mr. J. Copland. Hon. Secretary—Mr. M. Niccol. The following is the racing up to the time of our going to press : — Ist Race, 9.30 a.m., Tradino- Vessels, re* . istercd in Auckland (Brigantmes, Schooners, and Ketches), over 30 tons First Prize—Messrs. Shaw, Saville, and Co.'s Cup, value £25, and £10 added; Second Prize, £10; Third Prize, £5. Course—From south side of the Flagship round Tiritiri, passing from west to east outside of Shag Rock, keeping Tiritiri on the starboard hand, coming in on south side of Flagship. This race brought out six entries, consisting of— 1; Na Noba, 31 tons, Ebborn 2. Dauntless, 72 tons, Moller 3. Clio, 75 tons, Chambers 4. Cambria. 43 tons, Ross 5. Aurora, 52 tons. Gardiner 6. Saucy Lass, 38 tons. On tho g.in firing all got underway. The Cambria took the lead, followed by the Na Noba in her wake, with tho Dauntless third, the Saucy Lass and Aurora following close together, Clio last. The Cambria carried most wind and stood more to windward. When off Orakei, the Dauntless, after a deal of manoeuvring, passed the Na Noba to windward. In rounding the Heads tho Dauntless and Cambria were running a neck-and-ncck race, the former still to windward. The Aurora followed close in the wake of the Cambria, Na Noba fourth, Clio fifth, and Saucy Lass last. Before the last vessel had rounded the Heads the competitors for the next race had taken their position for the

2nd Race, 10 a.m. Trading Cutters, 25 tons and upwards. First Prize, £25 ; Second Prize, £10; Third Prize, £5. CourseSame as Ist race. The following cutters started :— 1. Sovereign of tho Seas, 29 tons, Diaz 2. Mercury, 30 tons, Diaz 3. Mary Eliza, 30 tons, Mann 4. Hero, 29 tons, Urquhart 5. Nautilus, 29 tons, Church 0n the signal from the Flagship being given, there was some delay iv getting away, but the Mercury and Sovereign of the Seas took the lead, the latter soon after taking first position, the Hero third and Mary Eliza fourth. Tho Nautilus _in getting away fouled the Flagship which delayed her for nearly five minutes. They all went round the Heads within twenty minutes after starting the Sovereign of tho Seas taking tho lead with a good steady breeze from the south-westward. 3rd Race, 10.30 a.m. TbadinoCutters, under 25 tons. First Prize, £20; Second Prize, £8 ; Third Prize, £5. Course— From south Bide of Flagship, round Chequered Buoy off Drunken Bay, thence round flagboat off Stokes' Point, coming in on south side of Flagship. This prize brought out a smart little fleet of ten, which, scudding about the harbour, formed a very pretty picture. They consisted of

1. Don, 21 tons, Dickson 2. Vixen, 12 tons, Anderson 3. Sumpter, 14 tons, Cockficld 4. Tay, 16 tons, Hodgson 5. Agnes, 2*l tons, Loverock 6. Avon, 18 ton?, Lombard 7. Victoria, 23 tons, Josephs 8. Wave, 20 tons, M'Dormott 9. Severn, 19 tons, Ebborn 10. Petrel, 17 tons, Stephens. This was a splendid race, the whole of the fleet keeping well together in a line. The Petrel, however, soon forged ahead, with the Severn close after to windward. 4th Race, 11 a. m. Sailing Boats, or Yachts, of any class, 5 tons and under. First Prize, -610; Second Prize. £5 j Third Prize, £3. Course—From south side of Flagship round Flag Buoy in Rangitoto Channel, thence round Flagboat off Stokes' Point, coming in on south side of Flagship.

Ten boats competed, consisting of: — 1. Sylph, __ tons, Henderson 2. Dart, 3_ tons, Jones 3. Dixie, _J. tons, Lopez 4. Cliquot, 4-i- tons, Bree 5. Bismarck, 4 tons, Eokenberg 6. Sparkle, 5 tons, Waymouth 7. Katarina, 4>\ tons, Williams 8. Grace, 3 tons, Williams 9. Sappho, 3 tons, Barber 10, Volaute, 3 tons, Bush. A good start was effected, and all got away well with the wind.

sth Race, 11.30 a.m. Sailing- Boats, or Yacht?, iixed keels only ; over 5 tons and under 10 tons. First Prize, Silver Cup presented by the Chairman of the Harbour Board, and £15 added ; Second Prize, £5 ; Third Prize, £3. Course— Same as 4th race, twice round. The following were the entries : — 1. Lily, 7 tons, Graham 2. Norway, 7_ tons, Berg 3. Foam, 6_ tons, Sandford 4. Calypso, 8 tons, Bailey 5. Ripple, 7 tons, 0. Dacre 6. Galatea, 6 tons, Graydon 7. Chance, 9 tons, White 8. Zodiac, 7 tons, Muir 9. Energy, 9£ tons, Waymouth 10. Sabrina, 9 tons, Stoddart. Norway however did not come to the scratch. All got well away on the gun firing, the Lily and Calypso taking the lead. A good W. by S-W. breeze blowing, carried the boats along in smart style. Some delay occurred on board the Chance in setting gaff topsail, which was not aloft until she had passed the American man-of-war.

6th Race, 12 noon. Champion Scullers' Match, rowed in open Skiffs, not exceeding 21ft. overall, to be rowed on the gunwale. First Prize, £8, and a pair of Gold Sculls, presented by Mr Kohn. Course—From south side of Flagship, round flagboat off Freeman's Bay, thence round tho flag boat off St. George's Bay, ooming in on Bouth side of Flagship.

Three boats entered. 1. Son of the Waitemata, Clare 2. Viona, Blair 3. Giant, Barron Blair, however, did not eomc to the .catch. Barron pulled alongside tlie committee boat, but afterwards made for Shore. On the signal being given, only Clare started, and the race was consequently a walk over. Tib Race 12.30 p.m. Licensed Watermen's 7 Bois manned b F two Licensed Watermen ; oars and sails allowed, usual workSg canvas only. First Prize, £6 ; Second Prize, £4; Third Prize, £2. CourseSame as 6th race. Four entered. 1. Formosa, Marshall 2 Mary Ann, Connor 3. Prince Alfred, Pillinger 4. Bismarck, Johustone. The three latter started. Mary Ann was soon out of the race which was _p endidly rowed, the Auckland men ShaH and Hunt) in the Bismarck taking the lead, which they maintained to the finish, in spite of a good spur put on by the Thames men. when near tne_ nagshin Bismarck was declared the winner. Time, 20 minntes. The Mary Ann gave in soon after starting. As this race was over the sailing boats in the fourth race came in in the hollowing order : — 1. Sappho, 0.59 m. 37 sec. 2. Bismarck,|l.lm. 48 sec. 3. Sparkle, 1.2 m. 12 sec. 4. Volante, 1.6 m. 20 sec. 5. Katarina. I.Bm. The others were out of the race. Waymonth entered a protest against the Sappho for refusing to allow his man on board, and against the Bismarck for being over size The decision was deferred. _ The winners of the third race for trading cutters came in at 1.43.3. It was a splendid race between Avon and Vixen, the Avon came in first, but by a time allowance of 15 seconds to the ton to the Vixen, the latter was declared the winner. Victoria came in a good third. 1. Avon, 1.42 - 45 sec. 2. Vixen, 1.43 m. 3 sec. 3. Victoria, 1.46h.23 sec. 1 Bth Race, 2 p.m. Four-oared GiGS, the property ofany recognised Rowing Club, rowed by amateur members ; no housing or outriggers allowed. First Prize, £L 0; Second Prize, £5. Course—Same as 6th race.

This was competed for by 1. No. 2, Auckland Rowing Club 2. Crown, G-olden Crown Club 3. No. 1, Auckland Rowing Club 4. Nonpareil, Thames Naval Brigade

The Auckland No. 2 boat forged ahead soon after the start, which was a good one. On rounding the flag boat in Freeman's Bay, the distance was half a length ahead of the Thames boat. This was maintained for some time, until rounding the boat in Official Bay, she had gained two lengths distance; Oii coming home the distance was gradually increased to six lengths. The rowing was very steadythroughout in the Auckland boat, their opponents rowed well, but did not keep time so well. The Golden Crown Club boat came in a bad third, ;the other boat gave in at commencement of the race. The crew of the winning boat consisted of Provo (stroke), Dacre, H. Henderson, and T. Henderson (bow). Coxswain, A H. Jones. Time occupied, 13 mm. 50 sees.

9th Race, 2.30 pm. Ships' Gigs, Merchant; rowed by bona fide ships' crews. First Prize, £8 ; Second Prize, £4, CourseSame as 6th race. 1. Golden Crown, Eilis 2. Ferndule, Brorgh 3. Kenilworth, Furloug 4. Duke of Edinburgh, Farquhar 5. Royal Alfred, Farquhar The above mentioned boats competed. It was a well contested race. Golden Crown, Captain Ellis coxswain, won in 15 miv. 8 sec. The Duke of Edinburgh second, Royal Alfred third, Kenil worth fourth, and Ferndale last. Great credit is due to Mr Copland, who performed tho onerous duty of starter. The Artillery Band was in attendance on board the flagship and enlivened the proceedings during the day. A six pounder breech-loading Armstrong "gun was on board the flagship under the charge of Volunteer Pennalagen and two gunners. Provisions were supplied on board by Mr Grey, confectioner, of Queen street. The fifth race was won by Calypso, with Fawn second.

10th Race, 3 p.m. Four-oared Gigs ; open to all; for the championship ;no housing or outriggers allowed. First Prize, £15 ; Second Prize, £5. Course, same as 6th race, twice round.

Four entered. Crown, Armstrong Brothars, Robinson Wonder, Henderson Nonpareil, Savage * The Wonder did not come to the scratch. On the first time round the Nonpareil was leading by a dozen boats' lengths. The other boats kept well together, the Brothers being second. This position was maintained throughout. The Nonpareil winning easily. The following races were being run when we went to press :— 11th Race, 3.30 p.m. Dingies, under 12 ft. overall ; rowed by Boys under 16 years of age, bom in the colony. First Prize, £3 ; Second Prize, £2 ; Third Prize, £1. Course —To be decided on board Flagship on Regatta Day. 1. Alarm, Allison. 2. Nelly, Wilson. 3. Amateur, Garland. 4. Willy, White. 5. Champion, Holland. 12th Race, 4 p.m. Sculling Match*, for square-»sterned boats ; open to all, sculled in rowlocks cut out of tho tuck in mid ships. Prize, £5. Course—To be de*. cided on board of Flagship on Regatta Day. 1. Sons of the Waitemata, Clare 2. Go-ahead, Davis 3. Fly, Waymouth.