CLUTHA ANNUAL HEGATTA.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 15, 15 October 1874, Page 4

CLUTHA ANNUAL HEGATTA.

This event took place on the Tuakitoto Lake on Saturday last. There was a large attendance of spectators. , The. morning was clear and not a breath of wind, so that the committee found it necessary to depart from the programnie and make the four-oar boat the first race of the day, but, unfortunately, before the boats had taken/their places alongside the punt the wether changed, dark clouds overshadowed the lake, and in a few seconds it blew quits a 'stiff breeze and rain fell heavily The consequence was that a great number of those who had come fully expecting to spend an enjoyable day made a speedy retreat home again, and long ere the j last race was contested there 'were but few left to witness the sight The first race was to have taken place at eleven a.m., but, owing to some of the crews not turning up nearly two hours elapsed before it came off Mr T. Johnston, of Wangaloa,acted as judge and starter. Four-oar boat-race with coxwain — For all boats under 22 feet in length overall, and of not less beam than four feet six inches. Distance, about three miles. First prize . . . .' .. L7 0 0 Second do 4 0 0. Five boats entered for this race — Fraser's Foam 1 M'DouFs Bonny Lass . . . . . 2 Bisset's Grace Darling . . , ... ... 0 Aitcheson's Wide-a-wake . . . . 0 Higgins' Now-or-Kever ♦. . .' . 0 1 The boats got away well together upon the firing of the gun and kept well together for a considerable distance when the Bonny- Lass took the lead, which positiou she maintained untii after rounding the flag, when the Foam succeeded in passing her, coming ! in a winner by three lengths. Sailing Race.— -For all boats under 18 feet in length. Time allowance, half minute per foot. Once round tbe course ; about 3£ miles. First prize L 6 0 0 Second do . . •. . . . 3 0 0 Four boats entered for this raceSmith's Plora Witch . . 1 Higgins* Now-or-Never . . . . . : 2 Smail's Flirt ... ' ... 0 Gazley's The Breeze 0 The Plora Witch succeeded in getting the ' start and was never overhauled again, coming in an easy winner. Unfortunately for The Breeze before she got round the first flat she was disabled through her mainsail giving way. The consequence was that she had to return without further contesting the race. Two -oared Boat Race, with or without coxwain. — For ail boats (no outriggers). Distance, about 2 miles. First prize... L3 10 0 Second do ... ... „ 2 0 0 Three boats entered — Frazer's Foam ... 1 Bisset's Grace Darling 2 This was a very good race, all boats getting off on very even terms. The Bonny Lass took the lead and was not overhauled until after rounding the last flat, when the foam succeeded in passing her, and coming in the winner. Sailing Race.— For all boats. Time allowance, one minute per foot. Distance about seven miles, or twice round the course. First prize ... ... LlO 0 0 Second do .4 0 0 Three boats entered — Smith's Plora Witch ... 1 Ferguson's Rattlesnake 2 Aitcheson's Wide-a- Wake ... ... 0 Fraser's Gipsy and Thetis 0 Higgins' Now-or-Never 0 This was looked upon as the best race of the day, and we believe it would bave been .more closely contested had not Messrs Frazer's and Ferguson's boats been disabled The Gipsy carried I away the top of her mainmast, the j Thetis some of her rigging, and the I Rattlesnake filled with water. The j latter, despite her misfortune, continued on her course, and came in second about 15 minutes after the Plora Witch, which had succeeded in carrying off the first prize. Sculling Race. — For all boats under 20 feet overall, one man pulling pair of sculls, with or without coxwain Distance about 1£ miles. First prize L 3 0 0 Second do 1 10 Q Four boats entered— Carson's Clutha Lass 1 Hislop's Jane .. . . 2 Bisset's Grace Darling . . . . • . . 0 Thomson's Gentle Annie 0 The Tane got away with the start and succeeded in getting a considerable distance in front of her antagonists, but was cleverly overhauled by the Clutha Lass which came in a winner by several lengths. Four-oared boat race, with coxwain. — For all boats under 18ft in length. Distance about two miles. First prize . . . . .. L4 0 0 Second do . . .... 20 0 There were'three entries. Mr Fraser's Foam took first prize, and Mr Bisset's Grace Darling second. The rain not having abated and" the wind blowing quite a gale, it was thought advisable to dispense with the Consolation Race.