SECOND EDITION. THE REGATTA.

Evening Star, Issue 3541, 29 June 1874, Page 3

SECOND EDITION. THE REGATTA.

The Otago Regatta, so long delayed, at last came off at the Port to-day. The weather, which early in the morning was Unpromising and squally, cleared up towards mid-day, and the S. W. wind gradually subsiding into a calm gave the light sailing boats a material advantage, and was very favorable for the* rowing matches. The number of entries w»s very small—Dunedin being represented by only two or three crews—but thr sport was keen, and the different events were pot wpn without in most- cases a severe Struggle and a deal of manoeuvring Had more boats from Dunedin entered no doubt the interest would have been greater; but the Union, Formosa, and other crack gigs were precluded from competing by a variety of causes. The following are the results .complete at the time we went to press:— ;; Fiest Each- For Ship’s Gigs. - Accordingly, at noon the gun was again fired, when the following boats came to the scratch ;—William Davie, Phoebe, and James Nich.'l Fleming. After a good start, the William Davie took the lead, clostly followed by the Phoebe. It was soon seen the race was between the William Davie and Phoebe, the James Nichol Fleming boat being

too large to compete with the other boats. The first time round, the William Davie was

a long way ahead, and maintained the lead to the finish, with the Phoebe second. Second Race.— For Whaleboats, pulled by Maoris. There were four entries : Shark, Maori p oy, Red Nose, and Harlequin. Course : From the flagship, turn round the Duke of I dinburph, about six miles. The Shark was the favorite, and went away with a slight lead, but the Maori Roy was close at her heels, and for the first time round very little advantage was gained by anyone. Harlequin then gave up, and left the race virtually to the Shark and Maori Boy. Odds were offered on the Shark, hut in the straight run home Maori Boy crawled ti the nose of her antagonist, and kept that position until Rear home. Here the Shark put on a maenifiMnt spurt, but it was too late, and Maori Boy, steered by Peacock, won by a-half length. Shark, steered by Robertson, second. Third Race —Seine Fishing Boats. Three entries-Christina, Flirt, and Rose, A light air from the northward enabled the competitors, by dint of great manoeuvring te get away together. The course was only once »round, but the race was somewhat tedious, owing to the lightness of the breeze. The Flirt won. Fourth Race.—Four-oared Gigs. Three entries—Amateur, Rob boy, Pioneer. The Rob Roy sustained an accident before starting. The Pioneer was coming to the point of starting, and the Rob Roy was going in an opposite direction, and went to go across the Pioneer’s nose, but misjudged _ the distance, and the Dunedin boat was hit on the quarter. However, she managed, after a alight delay, to come to the scratch. The Amateur caved in as soon as she. started, and left the race between the Port and Dunedin boats. Both went off with a rush, and pulling a very quick stroke; but the Rob Roy was a good half length ahead at the * start. This she maintained. After going once round, Rob Rov stopped, thinking the ceurss was only once round. Pioneer finished alone. Fifth Race. Boys’ four-oared. Lily, Pioneer, and Rob Roy started. Rob Roy won after a very close race with the Lily. Captain Peacock kindly placed the Fleming at the disposal of the Regatta Committee, and a band kept the flagship particularly lively. Perhaps a little less of the big drum would have made the music all the sweeter.