The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, AUGUST 24, 1903. THE AMERICA CUP.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 976, 24 August 1903, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, AUGUST 24, 1903. THE AMERICA CUP.

Our cablegrams this morning record the victory, of the defender in .-the first of the series of races for lie America Cup. At present the eyes, not only of the yachting world but of thousands of others, are turned to America, in .whose waters is scing decided the* contest for the coveted Cup, a contest that will practically decide the, superiority of* the British or the American yacht builders and the handling of the craft. .Considerable progress has, been made in yacht building since the Cup was won for the first time, and the difference between, the old America,

first .winner of the famous Cup, and Shamrock 111. would make a veteran who had seen the first rub eyes .with astonishment. The difference in speed, were he to witness it, .would probably convince him that Shamrock carried auxil ary, engines, and a comparison of the hills for th two boats might make him gasp ; hut when he looked at the types and compared their usefulness as honest sea-going craft, his wonder might fade into contempt. The first noI ion of a shape that would increase speed was conceived in the States, in 1851, the year of the mighty America, practically all British yachts were designed with the view of making them as seaworthy as possible, while the Americans were hatching

the swan’s egg, the schooner America. She sailed across to Havre in July, 1851, being the first yacht to cross the Atlantic either way. She put herself in racing trim, and was -anchored near Cowes a little later, and a Brit sh yacht went to show her the way in. But it was the 'America, that did the showing in. 'there was no boat specially called to meet her, and she entered with a fleet of the best English yachts to race for 'a cup given by the Royal yach t quadron. The chief owner, Comnodore Stevens, offered to race any boat for ten thousand guineas a side, but there were no takers. The course lay around the Isle of Wight, and the America, with her improved shape, came in first, and one of the owners said afterwards, “ .There was no second.' 1 It is worth noting that the America Would have been disqualified for not

rounding one of the marks if the rules had been strictly adhered to, and if this had been insisted on, the Cup would not have left England. The Aurora was, the rules, entitled to the Cup. So the strange schooner, with the novel fl lines,” succeeded I in capturing the Cup, a, silver ewer costiiitg a; hundred guineas, and intrinsically worth about £T6 at the present price of silver. The America cost £5,600, and the entire tr|p cost the owners About £15,000. No outlay was made in England specially for the defenoe of

the Cup, but the second boat's expenses for the race were ah put £3O. To judge the difference between the old Cup boats 'and the new in point oi usefulness after the races are decided, note the fact that Yalkyrie 111., the challenger of 1895, was lowed out to be broken up in 1901, while the America, after a good deal more racing,’ was used as a blockade runner in the Civil War, was sunk by a Federal ship in Florida, raised, re-sparred, helped defend the Cup in 1870, and was for many years used as a trading schooner. It was seventeen years! bkfore the Cup was challenged for, and during that time the speed lines'of the America were copied and developed in both countries. Cambria, a schooner, owned by Mr Ashbury, crossed in 18*70, and haid tfo faeei,ai fleet of American boats,- of which the Magic came in first, beating the challenger by nea n ly forty minutes. The cost of this race was about £20,000 to ihe Americans, and to the British £IB,OOO. In 1871, Mr Ashbury challenged 'again with Livonia, ano:ner schooner, and it was agreed (hat it should be met by one , boat instead of a fleet ; but the Yankees reserved the right to change the boats during the series of races, 'ibis was done and a good deal of

oad feeling Was aroused thereby, the

English owner considering that he was not fairly treated. The expenditure on both aides was about the advance on the types of boats. The same as in 1870, and there was no next . challenge came from Canada, in 1876, the schooner Countess of Dufierin being brought against the

American Madeline, resulting in the defeat of the challenger. Another challenge from Canada in 1881 rt^-

suited in the Canadian Atlanta being bba.tep ,by the iAmeriVcan Mischief. This year the expenses amounted up, the Canadians spending £21,000, and the. Americans £31,000 Then the “ lines ” of the boats began to develop rapidly. In 1885 Sir Richard Sutton challenged with the famous Genesta, which was of a different type to former boats. The boat tho Americans brought agamst the Genesta was a “ centre-board.” The American boat was called the Puritan, and she kept the Cup, though in the deciding race she beat Genesta by only one minute forty seconds a much better performance. This series cost America £30,000 and Britain £26,000. The next year, 1886, saw another decisive change in the search after speed. Lieutenant Henn challenged for the Cup with Galatea, the first metal Cup challenger, being built of Siemens steel. Against her the Americans brought Mayflower. The result was as usual, the “ beating ” going back to thirty minutes in the deciding race. The Americans’ bill reached £27,000, and the British £22,000. Next came a strong advance in the development of shape, when, in 1887, Thistle, the first yacht constructed purposely to try and win back the Cup, was built to tho design of Mr Watson, who designed Shamrock 11. She was also the first boat built secretly. Against this boat America bought the Volunteer. The Scotch boat, Thistle, was boaten by Umin. 48Jsec. These races cost Britain £25,000, and America £33,000. Another big bid for speed, the most deciaive of all, was made when the next boat. Valkyrie 11,, was built for the race in 1893. Tho Americans met her with the Vigilant. These two boats were far better matched than any before or since. Tho first race that was sailed to a finish was won by Vigilant, by smin. 48sec. The second she won by 10

min. 35sec., and the third by only 40 seconds over a fifteen mile courso. It is worth remarking that when Vigilant came to England next year she was easily beaten by the Prince of Wales’s Britannia, which boat had proved herself unable to beat Valkyrie. These races cost Lord Dunraven, owner of Valkyrie, over £25,000, and the Vigilant cost about £IB,OOO, and £20,000 more to race. Two years later, in 1895, Valkyrie 111. was born. The first Valkyrie, by the way, was not a Cup challenger, Valkyrie 11. being the first of her name to cross the Atlantic. To fight this boat the States brought forward Defender, built by the American designer Horreshoff. Defender won the first race in 8 minutes 49 seconds. In the second the British boat ran into the American and damaged her. They both sailed on, the damage done being soon made good, and the challenger won by 48 seconds, but was disqualified for “ fouling ” the loser, though Valkyrie’s skipper declared she could not avoid the collision owing to the excursion steamers that hampered the course. Lord Dunraven informed the committee that he would not sail again unless the course were kept dear. This request was not acceded to, and in the third race Valkyrie merely crossed the starting line and returned as a protest, leaving Defender to sail over and claim the Cup. Shamrock 1., representing Sir Thomas Lipton, did her best to win the Cup in 1899, but the Yankee Columbia beat her decisively in two races, the third being lost by a breakdown of Shamrock. Tho cost of these races to Shamrock’s owner was £43,000, and to the owners of Columbia £44,700. The Amerioan defender of 1901

was again Columbia, which beat in the trial races the two new boats Constitution and Independence, the English yacht being Sir Thomas Lipton’s Shamrock 11. The result of the races was “as you were.” In the contest now eventuating Shamrock 111. meets the American Beliance. From the America’s win at Cowes down to the end of last season the Cup races have cost Britain, approximately, L'295,000, and the States 11357,000. Should Shamrock 111. be lucky she may win a Cup worth i 616. The present contestants carry double the sail carried by the first Cup cutters, have about treble the pace, carry thirty souls to the early boats’ eight or ten, the coat being about £17 ,000 more, and are not half as seaworthy as the old boats. If Shamrock 111. proves successful in finally wresting the Cup from the hard grip of the United States, it \vill be brought over and placed in che hands of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club, under whose flag the challenge was issued. That club would then be the centre point for future challenges from the United States, and America would have to do what Bhe has not succeeded in accomplishing since the America’s day—build a yacht which will cross the Atlantic and beat the best British boats in their own waters.

Mr W. H. Cooper enters into possession of the Tolago Bay Hotel to-day. Mr A. Mclntyre, the well-known coach proprietor, has leased tho Lake House Hotel at Tiniroto. The Stine-Evans American Comedy Company conclude their Auokland season to-night, and leave for Gisborne by the Mararoa to-morrow afternoon. Dr. Fisher left for Wellington by the Tarawera last evening, and wilL be away from Gisborne about a week. During his absence Dr. Williams will attend to his duties.

Large audiences greeted Hyland’s circus on Saturday afternoon and evoning, when a first-class programme was submitted. The display of hormanship was of special merit, and elicited rounds of applause. To-night will be the last opportunity of witnessing the show. A general meeting of shareholders of the Poverty Bay Co operative Dairy Company, Limited, will be held at the Boyal Oak Hotel, Matawhero, this evening, the 24th inst., at 7.30, for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, of confirming the special resolution passed at the general meeting held on Tuesday, the 4th inst., re alteration of voting power under article 3 of articles of Association. The Treasurer of the Gisborne Hospital acknowledges with thanks receipt of the following donations to the Hospital funds, viz., HI Is from Mr Grattan Bradley, and j£6 from a number of the shareholders of the Haiti Public Hall Company, being balances of application moneys paid by them, and now donated by them to the Hospital on the windingup of the Company. I

Our cablegrams this morning announce the death o£ Lord Salisbury. <-.Reliance won the first oi the series of yacht races for the America Cup.

A section and five-roomed dwelling in Gladstone road, the property of Mr J. M. Cutnnnng, was sold on Saturday at Messrs Williams' and Kettle’s auction mart, Mr C, J. Parker being the purchaser. The Prohibitionist says that the Rev. Cbas. Sheldon, writing from Toppka, Texas, said that he hoped to pay the colony an early visit. The Canterbury Dairymen’s Association has decided to reduce the retail price of miik from 4d to 3d a quart from September 1, and the wholesale price from lid to 8d per gallon.

“ Anyone wearing a rod bolt shall be deemed to be a barmaid in disguise, and shall be referred to Mr A. W. Hogg," was one of the rules drawn up for the “ Cabmen v. Carriers ” football match in a Southern town.

We understand that a good programme is being prepared for the Matawhero school concert, to be held on Thursday, Sept. 3rd. One of the principal items will be exorcises in drill performed by the boys and girls of the school. The scholars are undergoing a thorough training in the evolutions, and the items as presented by them should prove very attractive. The boys are to be attired in their new cadet uniforms, while the girls will also have a uniform costume.

Mr Glass, the well-known organiser of the Farmers’ Union, arrived in Gisborne by the Taluno on Saturday morning, and left again last evenmg by the Tarawera. Whilst in Gisborne Mr Glass was consulted on the matter in dispute between the Gisborne branch of the Farmers’ Union and the Executive. In conversation with a Times representative last evening, ho stated that he had hopes of an amicable settlement being arrived at. Mr Glass is the travelling representative of the Farmers’ Advocate, published in Marton, and from copies to hand we feel Bure that the paper promises to be a successful organ of tho Farmers’ Union. At the District Survey Office on Saturday afternoon a meeting of the surveyors of this district was hold for the purpose of forming a local committee of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors. The surveyors present were Messrs F. S. Smith, Grant, Matthews, DeG. Fraser, Teesdale, Mouat, Farnie, Beere, and Buscko, Tho other surveyors not present were satisfactorily accounted for, viz., Messrs G. J; Winter, Charlesworth, Roddick, Dalziell, Balneavis, O’Ryan, and Armstrong. After discussion Messrs Grant, F. S. Smith, Teesdale, DeGennes Fraser, and Mouat were elected a committee to act within the district.

A large number of the Hon, J. Carrol

fellow-members met him in his Ministerial room to congratulate him on his birthday. The toast of his health was proposed in felicitous terms by Mr Jennings, and complimentary speeches were mado by Messrs Herries and Davoy. In response Mr Carroll expressed his high appreciation of the kindness and friendship manifested by the unexpected meeting of so many kind friends on such an occasion and the pleasure ho felt at the genuine feeling exemplified in the kind words used by the various speakers. The little function was altogether a happy one.

The Premier still seems bent on advertising Now Zealand mutton, but the sheep referred to in table No. 16, of the Financial Statement, are surely such as no other country on the face of the earth produces. Even prime Canterbury would scarcely be in it with them. The eagle eye of Mr

Lewis has been attracted by them, and

he intends to ask the Colonial Treasurer—(l) Of what breed they are, (2) whethor

he is perfectly certain that 253,322 of them weighed 141,086,0321 b or 5501 b a piece, and if so (8) whether it is with shfeep of this description that he proposes to supply his retail shops in London.

Several accidents occurred at Waihi on Friday. A boy aged three yoars, son of Mr Riley, was severely burned on his head, face, and hands. The child was standing behind a chair on which its mother had placed a saucepan of boiling soup. The chair tilted back, throwing the soup over the child’s head. Tho sufforer was immediately conveyed to Mr Barron’s pharmacy, where his injuries were attended to. Mr T. Daily, whilst engaged stoping in the Waihi mine, was disabled by a severe blow on the wrist, accidentally delivered by a mate with a striking hammbr. A miner named J. Farrell, working in the Karangahake mine, received a severe injury to his right leg by a fall of earth yesterday. He was admitted to the Waihi Hospital last evening.

Charles Ernest Wilkinson, the prisoner in an abduction case at the Auckland Police Court, stepped into the dock with a smile and a very unconcerned air (says the Auckland Star), the reason for which was soon apparent, Chief Detective Grace handing a marriage certificate to His Worship. Detective Grace asked that the charge bo withdrawn, as Wilkinson had

married the principal witness. Without her evidence the case could not go on. Mr Baxter, who represented Wilkinson, remarked that he did not think anything could have come of the case, as his client’s intention all along had been marriage. The parents, however, had refused to give their consent until a few days ago, and the marriage bad now taken place. The father of the unwilling prosecutrix, an Epsom dairyman named Wilson, was called forward and told the magistrate that he had now consented to the marriage and wished the case withdrawn. Mr Hutchison, without further comment, discharged the accused. The Norwegian ship Amerioa, which arrived in Auckland on Thursday afternoon somewhat unexpectedly, proved to be a lame duck seeking shelter, she having spruDg a leak whilst on a voyage from Newcastle to Panama with a cargo consisting of about 2400 tons of coal. Tho ship left Newcastle on the sth instant. Almost at tho commencement of the voyage she ran into a series of gales from the south-east, accompanied by a vory heavy sea, in the height of which she commenced making a considerable quantity of water. A cursory examination was made, as a result of which the ship was found to bo making from eight to ten inches of water per hour. The pumps were at once brought into requisition, but were found inadequate to scope with the influx, and Captain Ojertsen decided to make for Auckland as the most convenient port at which repairs could be effected. It has since been discovered that the leak is in the stern of the ship. The America is a very old vessel, having been built a 3 far back as 1868, 35 years ago. Captain Ojertsen has communicated with the owners in Christiania, Norway, by cable, for instructions as to how tho boat will bo dealt with.

“ It is impossible to setup housekeeping on £2 5s per week ” is tho lament of a “ Tired Bachelor ” in the Auckland Star, and quite a number of youDg ladies have written to assure him that such is not the case. Here are a few extracts :—An Old Maid is Waiting ” writes : I for one could keep house and make things comfortable on £3 and less. I have had a good deal of experience, but have Dot been fortunate enough in catching a husband, for all tho men of my acquaintance are too fond of horse racing, etc., enjoying themselves. They cannot save enough to start a home with. “ Scornful Maideu ” writes : I wonder if 11 Tired Bachelor ” is one of those beautiful ornamental figures which we see upon the edges of Queen street pavement at night time ? If the bachelors really want to marry, let them try home lifn n hit R pct • fVim? mAr,B I—l nA d z

life a bit first ; they won t find good wives in Queen street, and we know that we won’t find good husbands there either. Another correspondent writes: Because the average young man is caught by the girl who is dressy and extravagant, while the Cinderellas work quietly in the background, is the reason of so many unhappy marriages. Next time “ Tired Bachelor ” gets a holiday, if instead of going in search of a change and pleasure, he went round as a traveller for tea, or soap, he would find out then which of the girls ho met would suit him best, and see she was tidy at her work, and pleasant even though being interrupted. If a slattern comes with torn and dirty dress, and slams the door crossly, you are warned, but if a smiling answer is given, an interesting chat can soon he started, which might profitably end at St. Sepulchre’s or St. Foul's.

America has won the yacht race 12 times previously. The lolanthe plain and fancy dress social has been postponed to September 2, The Orchestral Society will hold their opening concert on Tuesday, Sept. Ist. A well-bred Shorthorn-Aldorney heifer is advertised for sale. Mr Ezra Smith has a seven-roomed house to lot in Gladstone road. A notice in regard to a lost Government

life insurance policy appears in this issue. Tenders are invited for the lease of Mr Robert Atkins’s Patutahi properties.

Messrs William Pettio and Co. aro now opening their spring shipments of drapery ex Paparoa and lonic.

The Hunt Club meeting to have been hold on Saturday has been postponed until next Saturday. The New Zealanders in their matches in Australia beat their opponents by 276 points to 13.

Mr Mander is asking the Government to consider the advisableness of appointing fruit experts for the North of Auckland. Tho Premier has given notice in the House to introduce the Queen’s Scholarship Bill.

Mr J. J. Cassidy having disposod of the Ormond butchery to Mr J. A. A. Ctesar, thanks the residents of the district for past favors. The colonies, said Mr Arnold-Forster, Secretary to the Admiralty, are becoming by far the most important places to which Great Britain exported.

Tho Companies Act, introduced by Sir Joseph Ward, is almost entirely a consolidating measure. One or two amendments of a formal nature aro providod for_ A sheaf of petitions for and against tho compulsory Saturday half-holiday has been presented to the House, half-a-dozen objecting to the clause coming from tho Auckland district. Mr M. M. Kirkbride’s Mutual Fire Insurance Bill has been reported to the House by the Select Committee appointed to consider it, with a number of machinery amendments, the principles of the Bill being unaltered. Mr Laurenson has given notice to ask the Minister of Railways if ho will favorably consider an amendment in tho scale of railway fares which would enable married couples to travel at a fare and a half as is done in certain other countries, and whother ho will be in favor of allowing childron up to threo yoars of ago to travel free.