NEW YEAR'S DAY IN LYTTELTON.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 177, 2 January 1875, Page 2

NEW YEAR'S DAY IN LYTTELTON.

The Rbgatta.

Commodore, Mr P. Cunningham; vicecommodore, Mr H. N. Nalder; judges, Captains Petherbridge and Williams, and Mr T. W. Maude; starters, Captain McLell'an, and Mr R. P. Crosbie; timekeepers, Messrs D. Davis, and G. Tayler; hon sec, Mr W. Packard; stewards, Messrs T. W. Maude, C. W. Turner, A. C. Wilson, W. D. Wood. A. Carrick, H. Sawtell, J. D. McPhsrson, Hon E. Richardson. Captain Petherbridge, J. B. Way, D. Craig, H. H. Hennah, G. Stead, J. Inglis, P. Jenkins, G. Gould, W." Saunders, J. Anderson, John Marshman, P. Laurie, J. Connall, J. Palmer, Lanson, D. Davie, E. 8. Holt, W. Day, S. Revans, Warner, J. C. Boddington, J. T. Rouse, J. L. Coster, W. Pratt, T. fl. Parkinson, W. Reeves, H. Hesketh, J. D. Garwood, J. Shane, T. M. Hassall, A. Cuff. Mellish, R. Cotton, R. P. Orosbie, H Thomson, Joseph Gould, J. T. Peacock, D. Caro, and all captains of chips in harbor. The regatta of 1875, held yesterday, was, though the weather at the latter portion of the programme proved unpropitious, a great success, alike in the keen competition for the various prizes and the number of vessels entered. In the early part of the day the weather was fine, and the consequence was that a large number of persons congregated on the platform at the Christchurch station, sufficient in number to fill two or three trains, but owing to the activity and assiduity of the officials and the frequent running of trains, they were all comfortably transported to Lyttelton without any very great inconvenience. Is is calculated that from 6000 to 7000 persons travelled by rail, so that an idea may be formed of the work which the railway staff had to do. Before proceeding to describe the events of the regatta yesterday, it may be as well to detail the celebration of New Year's Eve in the maritime village. On New Year's Eve Lyttelton waa in a state of great activity, and it was a beautiful sight from the shore to see the various vessels sending up their rockets. The display commenced about 10.30, when the Pleiades, Dorette, and other vessels fired guns and began to send up a few rockets at intervals. As the time went on these became more frequent, and before midnight there was a great display. The Merope only fired one gun before that time, but at midnight men were sent to the yardarms with blue lights, and directly the clock struck twelve they were simultaneously fired, a number of guns fired, and a perfect shower of magnificent rockets were sent up. It was really a beautiful sight, and Capt Williams, by thus concentrating his resources, certainly made the Merope the most prominent feature in the pyrotechnical display. The brig Wave also looked remarkably well, and the Pleiades kept blue lights burning for several houre. Old residents in Lyttelton state that on no previous; year has such a display taken place, and it was really a very imposing spectacle. On shore too there were great rtjoicings. Mr P. Cunningham's house was beautifully illuminated with Chinese lanterns, and a number of fireworks were let off. Mr George Agar's house also looked very well, and from the balcony of the Mitre a good many rockets were sent up. At the railway station the porters lighted the building with red and blue fires, aud the effect was very good. The streets were crowded with people, bands were playing, and all sorts of fun going on. There was no disturbance, however. Every one seemed heartily to enjoy the hour, without any wish to abuse it, and though carts were drawn along the streets, and other eccentricities indulged in, we heard of no real harm being done. Early yesterday morning the ships were dressed with bunting, and guns were fired at eight bells. On shore flags were displayed in Oxford street from the Colonists' Hall,

where the Catholic bazaar was being held, across the road, and also in London street from the Empire Hotel. We believe that nearly every flag in Lyttelton was in use, as the stores were all dressed and the hotels also. Visitors began to arrive before 9 a.m., and by 10 there were a large number collected. All sorts of impromptu buildings were erected for luncheon and barrooms, and the hotels must have done a roaring trade. A row of stalls was erected on the reclaimed land opposite the railway station and post-office, and Mr Gee had a large booth a Bhort distance behind, nearer the Gladstone Pier. Their owners drove a most profitable trade, and must have been well pleased with their day's work. The Halcyon was cruising about the harbour all day with passengers. Messrs Cuff and Graham invited a numerous party of friends on board the Strathnaver, and that vessel was out nearly all day She was brought up close to the Pleiades, aud those who wished went aboard that vessel, while others visited the Strathnaver for a cruise. The starters' boat was ably manned by Messrs Crosbie, Valpy, Moir, Gain, and Kilgour, and Captain Galbraith was most indefatigable, and did a very hard and successful day's work. The wind was northerly throughout the day, and there were alternate squalls and calms, but not much sea. The weather was by no means settled, thick clouds covering the port hills, and about four p.m. a steady rain Bet in. A rush was then made by those on shore for shelter, and the publicans profited very considerably by it. No pains were spared by the Lyttelton people to accommodate and provide for their visitors, and their efforts were crowned with very fair success. The crew of the Akaroa boat wish us to state that during the time they have been in Lyttelton, Mr Saunders of the Mitre has been most hospitable, refusing to charge for their board.

The programme arranged for yesterday wa9 wisely restricted exclusively to races which could be got off safely in the water, viz., sailiDg races and pulling races, in whaleboats and watermen's boats. In this we think the managing committee were quite right, as to have attempted to pull off outrigger races yesterday would have simply been an absurdity,and we hope in future races to see this course adhered to. There was one thing which, if possible next year, we hope to see altered in some way, viz., the starting of so many races at once, which certainly to those on shore was confusing in the extreme. Even if the programme extended over a little longer time, it might perhaps be as well to allow a longer time to elapse between the starting of the various events. The thanks, not only of the regatta committee, but of the public generally, are due to Captains Petherbridge and Peters for their kindness in placing the fine vessel commanded by the latter gentleman at the disposal of the committee for a visiting ship. Here the commodore, Mr Cunningham, dispensed hospitality right royally, and Captain Peters and his officers were indefatigable in their endeavours to promote the comfort of the numerous guests who thronged the Pleiades—over 700 ladies and gentlemen availed themselves of the kind invitation issued by the commodore, and a splendid luncheon was laid 'tween decks, which was done ample justice to by those present. After the good things had been disposed of the visitors dispersed themselves over the ship, and despite the unseasonable change in the weather, enjoyed themselves thoroughly. As on previous occasion Capt T. M'Olatchie placed his steamer Gazelle at the disposal of the stewards for a committee ship during the day, and every effort was made by him to Tender the visit of the gentlemen whose official duties kept them on board the steamer during the day pleasant, and all assistance was rendered them to enable their work to be carried out effectually. The various ships in harbor were gaily dressed, the Pleiades especially being decki d from stem to stern with flags and evergreens. The Elizabeth Graham, E. P. Bouverie, Waitara, Dorette, Wave, Duke of Edinburgh, Geraldine Paget, Crusader, and all the smaller vessels in harbor had a gay display of bunting. Our old friend the Merope would have shown up more conspicuous had it not been that the greater part of her bunting was displayed on board the Pleiades, On shore the'various flagstaffs were fully occupied with bunting, and generally Lyttelton wore a very gay appearance.

The boys' four-oared whaleboat race did not eventuate, as there were no entries, therefore the first race on the programme was the ships' boats, sailing, which' brought out six competitors. This race is always a favorite one from the amount of emulation displayed by thecrewsofthevariousvesselswho look upon the contest as one in which the honor of the ship they belong to is concerned, and go in to win accordingly. The entries comprised crews from the Duke of Edinburgh, Geraldine, Paget, Pleiades, Merope, and B. P. Bonverie, the Mary Ann Annison's representative coming to the postatthe last moment. The Pleiades' boat the prize, and we feel sure all will be glad that Captain Peters scored a win on the occasion; the Duke of Edinburgh was second, and the Merope third. For the scullers' race, only two came to the scratch, and the race resulted in a victory for the Venus. For the Bay traders race, the committee gave a prize of £ls on condition that four started, as there having been no entries at the time appointed, the original race for Shaw, Saville, and Company's cup fell through. The Catherine took the prize after a very good ra'je between her and the Bee, the other two competitors—the Margaret and Volunteer —being quite out of the race. In the ships'boats pulling race the Blue Bell managed to reverse the order of things in the sailing race, the Pleiades having to be contented with second place. The majority of the vessels in harbour were represented, and a very good race ensued, alltheboa'.s pulling " eyes out" the entire distance with a short lumpy sea. The next event, open boat sailing race, brought out a goodly number of entries, the Edith Wynne being slightly the favorite at the commencement, but the Blanche, which was very nicely handled and sailed, came away the winner by several yards, the Dewdrop getting second place, with Lurline third. The pairoared race brought three to the start, and after a very game race between Ran gi to to and Just in Time, ensued in the former winning by about two lengths. The champion race, the event of the day, was matter for great excitement, and was a capitally contested race throughout, and it is to be regretted that the accident which happened to two of the competitors off the Breakwater, spoilt in some measure the finish of the race, which however, despite this untoward accident, was a very good one iadeed when the distance to be run is taken

into consideration. The Auckland boat, the Peerless, had a number of friends, and though defeated, she showed herself to be no mean antagonist—in the company she found herself in—the winner, the Albatross, is a very nice model of a ves-el with a clean run and compact build. The Yacht race also had a Dunedin representative, in the shape of the Ripple, the winning yacht, and strange to say, the finish brought the Annie Ogle and Advance so close together, that a dead heat for second place ensued. The Annie had, of course, to give away a concession for tonnage, and the above was the result. The next event was for ballast boats only trading to the Bays, and resulted in a victory for the Christina. The whaleboat race was a capitally pulled one from start to finish, the Akaroa crew being too much for their opponents. The whole of the crews in this race pulled splendidly considering the lumpy sea they had to contend against, and no one could deny that the best men won. In the whaleboat sailing race, the Blanche again scored another win to her owner, the Edith Wynne, which carried a good deal of money, coming in second. The wind, during thci day, though somewhat puffy, was excellent in the earlier part of the day, but, as it shifted towards the south-west, was very bad for the smaller boats. Early in the day the Albatross, getting under weigh, fouled the Peerless, and narrowly escaped serious injury—carrying away topping lifts. Mr Grange's steam launch was engaged during the day in taking parties round the harbour to view the races. We append the detailed account of the various events :

Ships' Boats Sailing race; Ist prize £5. Entrance 10s. Pleiades (Peters) 1 Little Duke (Mosey) 2 Merope (Williams) 3 Geraldine Paget (Ogilvie) ... 0 B. P. Bouverie (Roberts) ... 0 Mary Ann Annlson 0 This race was started about 10 44. The course was from the committee ship down the harbor, round buoy off Parson's Rock, and round reef, winning between jetty and committee ship. The start was an excellent one, the Pleiades made the shortest reach, and was round the breakwater first, the Mary Ann Anuison second, Merope third, and E. P. Bouverie and Little Duke-close together last. After the first tack, however, the Mary Ann Annison went out of the race altogether. The E. P. Bouverie and Little Duke both succeeded in weathering on the Merope. After they had passed the Waitara the Pleiades kept her lead well and was far ahead and to windward during the whole race. They rounded the buoy in the same order. Running up to the reef, the Pleiades was far ahead, E. P. Bouverie 2nd, and Little Duke 3rd, closing up, and the Merope last. After rounding reef, and bearing up for the committee ship, both the Little Duke and Merope gained on the first boat and passed the E. P. Bouverie. The Pleiades came in just six minutes ahead of the others. There was a hard struggle at the finish between the Little Duke and Merope for second place, resulting in the Duke passing the committee ship two minutes ahead of her opponent. Scullers' Race in Whaleboats ; open to all comers. First prize, £5 ; entrance, 10s. Venus (Snoswell) 1 Banshee (Wyman) 2 Warerlily (Randle) 3 This race was started at 10.57. The course was from the buoy off the Breakwater round both hulks, round buoy off Officers' Point, and win inside committee ship. The start was good, the Banshee held the lead for the first 100 yards, and then the Venus closed up and held the lead till the finish. She only won by a length, the Banshee's crew pulling excellently. The Waterlily gave up after the first 100 yards. The Venus won at 11.13. ' Bay Boat race for £ls, given by committee on condition four started. Entrance, £2 2s. Catherine 1 Bee 2 Margaret 0 Volunteer 0 Captain Galbraith.wbo started the majority of the races with Mr Crosbie during the day, got thfi boats off to a good start at 12h 7min, the Bee taking the lead until off the buoy near Parson's Rock, when the Catherine came up to her and a fine race took place, the Catherine ultimately winning by 40secs finishing at lh 26 p.m. The Margaret and Volunteer were out of the race at an early period. The course was from their moorings outside the committee ship, round a buoy off Parson's Rock, round reef, winning inside committee ship. Ships' boats pulling race, first prize £6; second, £2. Blue Bell (Mosey) 1 Pleiades (Peters) 2 Elizabeth Graham (Mordue) ... 3 Merope (Williams) 0 Geraldine Paget (Ogilvie) ... 0 E. P. Bouverie (Roberts) ... 0 The course for this race was from a buoy off the breakwater, round both hulks, round a buoy off Officer's Point, and winning inside committee ship. The boats were got away at 11.35 a.m., the Blue Bell running away with the lead, which she maintained to the finish. The E. P. Bouverie took second place, which she kept to the buoy, the Elizabeth Graham being third. The Merope soon after the start took third place until off the breakwater. There was a succession of spurts, good pluck being shown by all the crews, though many of them were by no means finished rowers. The Pleiades passed the various boats and came in a good second. Time of finish, llh 49min 30sec, being excellent time for the distance. Sailing race, in open boats ; open to all comers. First prize, £ls ; second, £2. Blanche (Wyman) , 1 Dewdrop (Deans) 2 Lurline (O'Neill) 3 Edith Wynne (Roberts) 0 Prosperous (Vince) 0 Florence (Ockford) 0 Time of start, 12h 2min. The course was from moorings off committee ship, round buoy off Parson's Rock, round the reef winning inside committee ship. The Blanche got away first, but for the first portion of the race no very material advantage was got by any of the competitors. The weather at this time was very fitful, storms and calms alternately. The Blanche came in a good first, the Edith Wynne close up, but whea between the reef and the committee ship the latter got into the doldrums, and the Dewdrop obtained second place, the Lurline third. Both these boats were a considerable distance behind, but managed to pass the committee ship as above. Mr Deans deserves every credit for the admirable manner in which he sailed his boat. Time of finibh, lh 13min; second boat, lh 23sec,

Pair-oared Race in Watermen's Boats, with coxswain. First prize, £5. Just in Time (Wright, bow; Brown, stroke; Young, cox) ... 1 Bangitoto (Snoswell, bow; Ock-) ford, stroke) ..'. 0 Only two boats came to tVe start for this race, the course for which was from a buoy off the breakwater, round both hulks, round buoy at Officers Point, running inside committee ship. The time of start was 12h 37m. Both boats got away well, going at a very fast pace. Passing the committee ship, the Rangitoto Held a slight lead, but the Just in Time men soon closed the gap and rounded the hulks first. Coming up to windward, the Just in Time still held a short lead, and rounded the buoy off Officer's Point in advance of her antagonist, who was pulling a plucky race. From this to passiug the committee ship on the way home, the Just in Time still kept to the front, and ultimately won by about two lengths, after a well-con-tested race. Time of finish—Just in Time, 12h smin 30secs; Rangitoto, 12h 51min 40secs.

Champion Sailing Race. First prize, £IOO and Cup value £2O. Albatross, 77 tons (Wells) ... 1 Alert, 45 tons (Uuff and Graham) 2 Saucy Lass, 39 tons (Callow) ... 0 Peerless, 78 tons (Lewis) ... 0 Emerald, 40 tons (Whitby) .., 0 The course was from the moorings, outside committee ship, round buoy off Parson's rock, round reef running inside committee ship (three times round). A capital start was effected, at 12b 44min, the Alert being the best away, with the Emerald to windward, the Saucy Lass third, and the Auckland clipper to leeward, with the Albatross close up. Off the Duke of Edinburgh this order was maintained, and all weathered the Waitara except the Albatross who had to stay; the Peerless head reached and weathered. Off the Duke of Edinburgh the Alert and Emerald stayed, closely followed by the Peerless, the Saucy Lass going under the stern of the Duke of Edinburgh, the Emerald a long way astern. Running up towards the reef the first time off Rhodes Bay heads the Alert still led with Peerless 6econd, Saucy Lass third, Albatross fourth, and Emerald last. When abreast of the visitors' ship the Peerless and Saucy Lass were leading close to each other, the Alert third, Albatross and Emerald in rear. The Saucy Lass and Peerless rounded the reef the first time with not more than half a length diffi-reuf c between, that half length being gained by the Saucy Lass, owing to her draught of water being less, enabling her to hug the reef closer. Both vessels were admirably handled, and this stage of the race presented a very pretty sight. The reef was rounded by these two at lh 32min 35sec. The Alert was the next to round the reef at lh 33min 50sec, the Albatross at lh 36m'n, and the Emerald at lh 39min lOsec. After passing the reef the Alert closed up, and though the Saucy Lass was slightly to windward, all the three leading vessels were so close together that in the second tack after passing the reef they all had to tack together off the breakwater. Running down for the second they were still in company, the Alert having the advantage of a slight lead, the Saucy Lass, however, being slightly to windward, the Peerless being on the weather quarter of the latter vessel. The Alert tacked off the end of the breakwater, and as she was filling on the port tack, the Saucy Lass crossed her bows, and the Peerless in attempting to do the same fouled both vessels ; the jib-booms of the Alert and Peerless were carried away, and the mainsail of the Saucy Lass split. The Albatros3 taking advantage of the collision, ran ahead into a leading position, the Alert going into the breakwater to repair damages. The Peerless and Saucy Lass were soon underweigh, followed by the Alert, the Emerald being still hopelessly in the rear. From this point the race was never in doubt, as the Albatross kept her lead to the finish. Rounding the reef the second time, the Albatross passed at 2h 38min, Saucy Lass at 2h 41min, Alert at 2h 43min, and the Peerless at 2h 43min 30secs. The Alert in the meantime had managed to rig out a jibboom, and the Peerless had also repaired damages as well as possible, but was unable to carry any headsail. During the third round the Peerless and Alert gained on the Saucy Lass, and took second and third places respectively, the Peerless particularly closing the distance she was in rear quickly, owing to the breeze freshening The Albatross, also favored by the increase of wind, put a still greater distance between her and her opponents, passing the reef for the last time at 3h 39min 10?ec; the Peerless at 3h 44min; the others some distance in rear. From this the Albatross continued to lead, and ultimately came in winner at 3h. 58secs, the time of the other boats being as follows : Alert, 4h 12min 30secs; Peerless, 4h 14min 30secs ; Saucy Lass 4h 15min. The Peerless would have been second had it not been for a mistake, by which she went on the wrong side of the committee ship, and had to make two extra tacks. The Alert being well handled, succeeded in passing her. The Saucy Lass, owing to the difference in tonnage, really takes third place. The Emerald was hopelessly in the rear from an early part of the race.

Yacht race ; first prize, £2O and Mr Saunders' Cup; second £5. Ripple, 5 tons (Harris) 1 Advance, 4 tons (A.llwright) ... f AnnieOgle,lstons(Ounningham) f Fairy 5 tons (Kobinson) ... 0 A good start was effected and soon after the Ripple took the lead, Fairy, second* Annie Ogle third, Advance in the rear, the Ripple weathering on all the others. In this order the yachts ran to the buoy and to the reef, which was passed the first time as follows—Ripple. 2h 15min; Fairy, 2h 23min; Annie Ogle, 2h 24min; Advance, 2h 28tnin. Some surprise was felt at the Dunedin boat running away from the Annie apparently in such an easy manner, as on the previous evening the latter was a hot favorite. The Annie °was not handled so cleverly as on former occasions, which may perhaps account for her ill-luck. The Fairy, which was well sailed by Mr Robinson, also the builder, surprised many by the position she held at this period of the race. During the second round the Ripple increased her lead, and won easily, finishing at 3h 27m 30sec, the Annie Ogle at 3h 4Gmin, the Fairy at 3h 51min 30sec, and the Advance at 3h slmin 35sec. The difference in tonnage between the Advance. Annie Ogle, and Fairy made a dead heat between the two first named. Sailing Race for Ballast Boats. First prize, £2O. Christina, 16 tons (Payne) ... 1 Rambler, 20 tons (B'isher) ... 2 Diligent, 18 tons (Thompson) ... 3 This race was got off at 2h Bmin, the Rambler taking the lead, the Christina,

however, overhauled and passed her, ultimately winning as above. riailiriu' Race for Whaleboats. First prize, JBIO ; 2nd, £2. Blanche (Wytnan) ... ... 1 Edith Wvnne (Roberts; 2 Prosperous (Vince) 3 Florence (Ockford) 0 Lurline (O'Neill) 0 A start was effected at 2h 33min, Lurline taking the lead, with Edith Wynne second, Prosperous next, and Blanche last. After some distance had been gone, the Blanche came up to the front, and ran in an easy winner, at 3h 49min; the Edith Wynne coming second a few minutes after. Four-Oared Champion Whaleboat Race, open to all comers. First prize, £3O. Akaroa Belle—(T. Wright, bow; W. Wright,2; G.Brough, 3; A. Wright, stroke; Norris, cox) 1 Banshee— (H. O'Neill, bow; T. Arkiss, 2; J. Anderson, 3; Bamford, stroke; F. Gardiner, cox) 2 Venus (P. Brown, bow; M. Stanley, 2; J. Naylor, 3; N. Steggard, stroke; J. O'Neill, cox) 0 Isis—(Burnip) 0 A good start was effected at 3h 4min, Isis taking the lead for a short distance, when the Akaroa boat passed her. Passing the flag ship the Akaroa boat still led, with Banshee, 2nd; Venus, 3rd; and Isis. 4th. Despite the broken water the Akaroa crew still held their lead, though the race was a well-pulled one, the two leading crews pulling forty strokes a minute at the end of the race. Ultimately the Akaroa boat was the first to pass the ship, winning by about six lengths ; Banshee second, with the same distance between her and Venus. Time— Akaroa Belle, 3h 23min ; Banshee, 3h 23min 20 sees. This concluded the programme, and, as the rain was falling heavily, the shore sports were postponed. Cataolic Bazaar. This bazaar was opened yesterday by his Worship the Mayor and Mrs Rouse. The various stalls are well' arranged, and contain the usual assortment of articles, both useful and ornamental. Though the weather was unfavorable there was a good attendance, and business was brisk. The Misses Donnelly, McCarthy, Grant, and others were busily engaged in getting off raffles, &e, and succeeded admirably in their efforts. The bazaar will be open this evening.