THE HOLIDAY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 480, 13 April 1909, Page 6

THE HOLIDAY.

PICTON EXCURSION. THE REGATTA. Half-heartedly, and with premonitions, in tending trippers to Picton looked out Iron behind closed blinds yesterday morning early hoping for a cahn day. The aspect in the dul grey of an Easter morning was not entirely cheerful, for heavy rain clouds were still h the sky, and the air was chill. Rememberinf that the Straits, when angered by a stiti breeze, make most uncomfortable travelling more than one decided that his best inter ests would bo served by indulgence in another nap. Others, determined to go through with the excursion, at all costs, and these to the number of about 400, gathered or the decks of the Maori at 7.30 a.m. Strag glers were given a few minutes' grace, and then, without more delay, Captain Huntei backed his ship out from the Queen's Wharf, and was quickly uuder full steam. A cold breeze was felt on entering the Straits, but the sea was lazy in its response, and the excursion steamer ploughed steadilj along. So quiet w.ero the waters that not a single passenger developed unpleasant symp tons, and, when the sun came, out warmly a little later, the voyage became even more enjoyable. Tory Channel was only slightly, disturbed, and Picton Wharf was reached in under three hours. Hero the Drayton Grange was clothed in bunting, and scores of motoi launches, with bright and laughing freights darted in all directions round the wharves. It was another gala day for Picton. Hundreds came from Blenheim before noon ir a long train of open trucks, and thoreaftei the little port was overcome with gaiety The first event of the Easter Regatta, a< 11.30 o'clock, opened the festivities, and the races, which were rowed at intervals up til 4 p.m., kept the attention of tho assemblec holiday-makers: In the heat of tho day, th( ferry boat took up her burden again, anc sped away down tho Sound. A number o: visitors, who had been spending holidays ir Pieton, boarded the vessel to make a smari return to the capital. When tho third blast of the siren.cchoec back from the hills, there were several hun dred people on the wharf; launches vainli chased the turbine till she rounded the firs" bend, at which point the scores of whit< waving handkerchiefs on the hillside wen shut from view. Again the Maori made : brisk,, smooth passage, reaching Wellinctoi at 5.30 p.m. , Seven events comprised the programme o; the Picton-Blenheim Regatta. The only visit ing oarsmen wore from Wellington Kowinj Club, crews from which took part in th< maiden fours, maiden double sculls, youths fours, junior doable sculls, and junior pairs Tho weather was perfect, and the waters o: tho sound showed hardly a ripple. Tho re suits of t the races wore:— Maiden Fours (ono mile), first prize- £7 second £2—Wellington R.C. (Standen str. W. Hulbert 3, S. Shilling 2, P. Davoy bow) 1; Picton R.C. (N. Godfrey str., T. Horgai 3, H. Whiting 2, L. Godfrey bow), 2. Woi by ono and a half lengths. Timo, 6min.3osec Blenheim R.C. (R. Bentley str., W. F. Morrison 3, G. Wells 2, J. O'Rourke bow), ha< entered, but wore unable to get out in time owing to the late arrival of their boat fro:r Blenheim. Senior Fours (two miles), first prizo £12 second £3.—Picton R.C. (A. Perano str., T Gullory 3, D. Perano 2, F. Carrick bow), 1 Blenheim R.C. (J. N. Jordan str., E. Heg glun 3, W. J. Girling 2, C. Hegglun bow), 2 Won easily. Time, 12min. 52scc. Maiden Double Sculls (ono mile), firsi prize £4, second £2.—Picton R.C. (A Perano str., D. Godfrey bow), 1; Wcllinatoi R.C. (C. Gray str., W. P. Shilling bow), 2 Blenheim R.C. (R. Dunckley str., A. Nor grove bow), 3. Tho race was won by &v< lengths, Wellington being rowed put. Blen heim crew were caught in the wash of cm of tho steamers, and gave up. ' Junior Fours (one milo and a half), firs prize £8, second £2.—Picton R.C. (F Burns str., T. Kenny 3, R. Andrews 2, D Godfrey bow), 1; Blenheim R.C. (J. Aitkci str., G. Martella 3, F. Mogridge 2, A. Nor grove bow), 2. Won very easily. Time 9mm. 39sec. Youths' Fours (one mile), first prizo £6 second £2.—Picton R.C. (F. Burns str., H Whiting 3, N. Godfrey 2, L. Godfrey bow) 1; Wellington R.C. (S. Shilling str., P Davey 3, G. Cairns 2, W. Shaw bow), 2 Won by two lengths. Time, 6min. 35sec. Junior Double Sculls (ono mile), first priz( £4, second £2.—Picton R.C. (F. Carricl str., D. Perano bow), 1; Picton R.C. (T Kenny str. W. Godfrey bow), 2; Wellingtoi R.C. (S Stande.i str., C. Gray bow), 3 Blenheim R.C. (J. N. Jordan str., W. J Girling bow), also competed. Won by tw< lengths. Time, 6min. 47sec. Junior Pairs (one mile), first prize £4 second £2.—Picton R.C. (F. Burns str., D Godfrey bow), 1; Wellington R.C. (S. Shilling str., P. Davey bow), 2. Blenheim R.C (J. Aitken str., G. Martella bow) als< started. Tho race was won by thr« lengths, tho timo being 7min. IN WELLINGTON. Full advantage was taken by crowds o: holiday-makers of tho splendid sunshine oi yesterday. Of amusements in town, then were The bowling and tennis tournaments provided enjoyment for many, anc jho university athletic sports at the Basil Reserve were witnessed by a large crowd. The takings on the trams for the daj amounted to £616 175., a slight increase or the amount for Easter Monday of last year Traffic on the "railways was very heavy The number of passengers leaving Thorndoi station was about 2150. Large number! journeyed to Plimmerton for a day at the seaside, and large numbers also went to Palmerston North. The Auckland through trail: was heavily laden. It consisted of 15 carriages, containing 473 passengers, very niucl more than the usual number. About 195 C lassongers left Lambton station, about 20C loss than the total for tho corresponding daj of last year. A large contingent went tc l'catherston for the Tauherinikau races. The Aapier express was crowded, and the train." or Upper and Lower Hutt were also wol! filled. The ferry steamer traffic was very large, ioats, loaded with holiday-makers, plied continuously between Wellington and Day's Bay', and steamers also ran from Pctone. It is estimated that the number of people who made tho trip was well up to last year's total. PALMERSTON NORTH. In." lELEbiurii—imiess association.) Palmerston North, April 12. Glorious weather has prevailed for tho holidays. The chief attraction was Palmerston Caledonian sports. Thero was a largo attendance. Tho cup for most points in tho field events was won by R. J. Scott, who having won it two years in succession now holds it. TIMARU. (BY TELEGRAM—Sr-ECIAIj CORRESPONDENT.) ' Timaru, April 12. The holiday passed over quietly. Tho weathor was beautifully fine, and tlioro was a large exodus to the country. Tho championship cycle sports at Temuka wero fairly attended. F. 'Wells won tho fivo, three, and one mile championships, and milo handicap. S. Campion won the half milo championship. Tho other events wero won by local men.