VISIT TO HENLEY REGATTA.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 511, 26 August 1902, Page 3

VISIT TO HENLEY REGATTA.

BY A.D.C. I wont to Ilenloy to see the Regatta, and am very pleased that I did so. The sight was really worth coming all tho way from N.Z. to view, I shall novor forget it. Thc|weather was very hot, but nevertheless an ideal Regatta day. Tho river, tho

whole length of the course, was simply alive with pleasure-boats of all descriptions, having on board youth and beauty. The pretty frocks of the ladies, with their sunshades of all colors, and the gentlemen in their blazers, which could bo seen as far as the eye could roach, was a sight not easily to bo forgotten. The boats (which numbered thousands) were tied to booms placed in a lino with the posts making the course. As soon as the race was over the boats were allowed on the course, but when the bells were rung every boat had to get on the other side of the booms again, and very amusing it was to watch them scrambling back. Jieing such numbers they could not help coming in contact with other boats, arid all had to scramble off as best they could. Tho Henley course is one mile five hundred and fifty yards in length and almost straight. On the banks of tiio river the sccno was very pretty. The bright a ray of color of the magnificent costumes of tho ladies as they promenaded up and down, whilst tho groups of members of the leading London rowing clubs in their gaily-colored blazers, carrying Hugo Japanese umbrellas, together with dozens of musicians “ got up ” in all kinds of fantastic costumes, made tho scene very dazzling. Thcro were jugglers, conjurors, gipsies, coster-mongcrs vonding edibles of all descriptions, ventriloquists, and numorous others, who lent lightness to a brilliant scene. Tho strains of swoet music wore heard in all directions on the river. Sevoral boats had pianos on board, whilst othors had organs. It was quito a musical treat to hear tho different vocalists, somo ■ having beautiful yoices. The scenery on

cither side of tho rivor is very picturesque, largo oak, elm, copper, beech, and poplar trees are to bo seen tho wholo length of the course. For a considorablo distance amongst tho trees thero were marquees and small tents which wore used by members of the various clubs. Tho largo and palatial boat-houses are also worthy of notico. Thoy am built on a grand scalo, and havo magnificent gardens. The ground floors are used as the boat-houses, and tho second and third stories contain the living rooms. Tho ownors of these houses usually invito thoir friends to stay with thorn during the Regatta, which lasts throo days. Anothor special featuro of tho river was the largo number of beautifully decorated houso boats. These boats aro hired by partios during tho summer months, and tho people live in thorn for months at a time. Tho racing is, of course, first-class. Tho eight oar events wore very interesting to watch, especially as thero wore somo very closo finishes. I am not troubling to givo you tho events or their winners, as they would not interest you.