THE AKAROA EXCURSION.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 470, 17 December 1875, Page 3

THE AKAROA EXCURSION.

One of New Zealand’s brightest summer days, with the sun shining brilliantly, and just enough wind to make it enjoyable on the water, greeted those who had made up their minds to cast in their lot either with Captain Carey of the smart little steamer Wellington, or her larger sister, the Taupo, under the command of Captain Macfarlane, on the trip to Akaroa. Quite a crowd assembled at the Christchurch station, and it was evident that both boats would have a fair complement of passengers ; so many indeed that Mr Lawson had all his work to do to find carriages enough for all. At last all were seated and soon en route for Lyttelton, where both boats were in waiting with steam up. Both captains were evidently on their mettle, and the respective boats had numerous admirers ready to lay any odds as to which would be the first at the wharf The passengers were speedily embarked, and steam being up, the order was given “ Full speed ahead,” and both boats went down ihe harbor at a clipping speed, the rival playing vigorously. The Taupo, of course, from her greater power and size, was a long way the favorite, but still there were many who pinned their faith to the “ little un,” Captain Carey being well known as able to handle his smart little craft like a yacht, and the result proved the soundness of this belief.

The start was made from Lyttelton at 7.20 a m., both vessels getting away together, the Taupo having slightly the advantage in the matter of start. Going down the harbor the Wellington gave her larger rival all her work to do, and it was only when the short chopping sea off the Peninsula was met wiih that the Taupo’s greater length gave her any advantage, and she took the lead by about half a mile, which she maintained until Akaroa Heads were reached. Once in smooth water the Wellington soon made up her lost ground, and coming up close to the wharf the Taupo grounded, it being low tide, then being one and a half minutes ahead, and amid the cheers of those on board, the Wellington ran in alongside the wharf, and made fast first, the run having been made from wharf to wharf in 3 hours 55rain, Akaroa Heads being entered by the Taupo at 10.18, and by the Wellington at 10 20, thus being the smartest and closest contested run on record.

On arrival the excursionists despersed in various directions, some proceeding to the many spots of interest around Akaroa, while many preferred remaining on board the steamers to watch the regatta. The respective numbers on board the steamers were as follows :—Taupo, 499 ; Wellington, 300 ; or 799 altogether. The arrangements made for the comfort of the passengers on board both boats were very complete ; on the Taupo Mr Bennett had provided in his well known style, everything being on a first-class scale. On board the Wellington the provisioning was excellent, and Captain Macfarlane, Captain Carey, and their officers, exerted themselves to the utmost to render the trip an enjoyable one, which it was in every sense of the word. We append a record of the day’s proceedings at Akaroa, commencing first with THE REGATTA. Committee—Messrs C. W. Bridge, McGregor, Westenra, Annand, La Coste, T. S. Baker, Meech, St John, Lambert, Garwood, Scarborough, Black, and G. Wright, Judge— Mr J. Aylmer. Starter—Mr A. H. Westenra, The weather for the regatta was all that could be desired, there being just enough wind for the sailing matches without interfering with the rowing.

The first event was— Sailing race, for open boats under 30ft ; Ist prize, £ls ; 2nd, £3. Edith Wynne (J, Roberts) ... 1 Waterlily (T. Srneaton) 2 Avalanche (T. S. Baker) ... 3 Blanche (Buahell) 0

The boats were got away fairly together, the Edith Wynne being earliest under weigh, though to leeward, the Waterlily being next to windward. The Avalanche just after starting got a rope foul of her rudder, but got away after a slight detention. Round* ing the Redhouse buoy, the Waterlily was first, going well to windward, the Edith Wynne second, and the rest astern. The same order was maintained rounding the buoy'off Hunter’s, Wainui, but in running from thence to the buoy off Pikau Bay the Edith Wynne took the lead and kept it to the finish, the Waterlily coming in second. The Blanche carried away her rudder and mizen, which put her out of the race. Three minutes between first and second boats.

Yacht race—About five miles. Open to all. Ist prize, £80; 2nd, £5. Annie Ogle (S. Bruce) 1 Scud (C. W. Bridge) 2 Fleetwing (L, Y. C. D’Authrcau) 0

A good start was effected at 1.23 p.m, the Fleetwing getting away well to windward, and rounding the first buoy off Red House Bay at 1.43; the Annie Ogle passing the buoy at 1.45; Scud at 1.47. In going towards the buoy off Wainui the Anniegained considerably on the Fleetwing, one of whose hands was knocked overboard by the staysail sheet ; but luckily ho was recovered, though the accident caused delay, and the vessel missed stays. Both the Annie Ogle and the Scud passed her before the Wainui buoy was reached, which was passed as follows : Annie Ogle, 2.6 ; Scud, 2.10. From this the Annie took the lead, coming in a winner at 2h 52min 30sec ; Scud, 3h 2min ; Fleetwing, 3h 9min 45sec. Champion Four-oared Whaleboat race—Two and a-half miles. Swallow—Carter, bow ; L. Perham, 2 ; T. S. Baker, 3 ; T. Brough, stroke ; W. Close, cox 1 Freewill—S. Bamford, bow ; W. Bamford, 2 ; Harkiss, 3 ; J. Snoswell, stroke ; C. Young, cox ... 2 Akaroa Belle—J.Wright, bow; G.Brough, 2 ; W, Wright, 3 ; A. Wright, stroke ; C, Bates, cox 0 The boats got away on pretty even terms, the Swallow being first to round the buoy, with the B’reewill close up, Akaroa Belle in rear, At this stage in the race evident want of practice began to tell upon the crew of the latter, the other two boats rowing away from her; when near the buoy off Children’s Bay, the crew of the Swallow put on a tremendous spurt, gaining at least twelve lengths, and gradually increased their lead from here to the finish, coming in easy winners. Time—l 6 min 45 sec. The winning boat has recently been imported by Captain Gourlay, of the barque Italy, from Hobart Town, where she won several races. Boys’ Pair*oared race—lst prize, £3; 2nd, 10s. Challenge (Ramsay and Hughes) 1 Victory (Crowley and Galbraith) 2 Two other boats competed, Ramsay and Hughes had by far the best boat, and won easily. Men’s Pair*oared race. Istprize, £s;2nd,£l. Swallow (T. Brough and Carter) 1 Akaroa Belle (IV. Wright and G. Brough) 2 Freewill (S. Bamford and J. Wright) 3 The Swallow won this race easily ; second and third boats close up. Pleasure Boat race. For this event, four boats started, but the race had not finished when our reporter left Akaroa. On shore, if we except a wheel of fortune, where all were wanted to try their luck at a dip in th° wheel, the only amusement, besides strolling in the bush, was to pay a vhifc to The Horticultural Show. This was held in a tent near the jetty, and though small in point of the number of exhibits, was yet very creditable and deserving notice. First in order we may notice under the class of cut flowers a splendid collection of roses, sent for exhibition only by Vlr Greenaway of Christchurch, which looked as fresh as though just cut from the garden, instead of travelling some fifty miles by steamer. Amongst them were some beautiful blooms of Madame Berard, John Hopper, Vanquer de Goliath, all of which were really fine blooms. Mr Greenaway deserves great credit for the condition in which he brought his roses to the show such a long distance. In geraniums there was a capital show, Mr Morey taking first priz-i for the zona’es with a good bloom of Salamander, Mr Garwood coming second. For the doubles Mr Morey had some good blooms of Tom Thumb, Madame Lemoine, and Gloire de Nancy. In the fancy peiargoniuns Mr Morey had some nice blooms, as also had Mr Garwood. In fuschias Mr Moorey was first with good blooms of Queen, white, Lizzie Neal, and Dsvonshire Lass. The same gentleman exhibited some very pretty variegated geraniums, including Bridal Wreath (a really beautiful plant), and a pretty bloom of Golden Ivy# A special prize was awarded to Miss A. Morey for wild grass. The prize for one specimen plant was taken by Mr Garwood with a well grown geranium. Lady Mary Fox. Mr Morey had some good verbenas, notably blooms of Punch and Symmetry, and some fair pansies. Mr Garwood had some nice carnations and a good cactus, and a collection of lobelia ; and Mr Rodrigues exhibited a fine plant of Liiium Auratum. ITor the bouquets there was keen competition. In the class for table Mr Morey had a very nice one, composed principally of roses, well made and good contrast as to color. The second prize one, exhibited by Mr Feltham, was rather open, and Mrs Kearney’s exhibit was somewhat too small for a table decoration. In hand bouquets Mr Wagstaff’s first prize one was capitally made, and tastefully arranged, fuby deserving the prize. The second prize one exhibited by Mr Lardner was also good. The fruit shown, as a whole, was excellent in quality, as also were the vegetables. The following were the judges for the whole of the classes :—Rev W. Aylmer, Messrs Greenaway, and Pearn.

Shortly after 5 p.m. a start for home was made, the sea being beautifully calm, and the result was a fine run to the heads in three hours one minute, and the wharf in three hours twenty-five minutes. Prior to the excursionists leaving the Wellington the healths of Captain Carey, the officers of the ship, and Mr Mackay, were enthusiastically drank,- Mr P, Cunningham,

who occupied the chair, speaking on behalf of the excursionists, and paying the highest compliment to Captain Carey for his urbanity and kindness throughout. Mr Pollock, chief engineer, responded for the officers, as also did Mr Mackay on behalf of the', company. Shortly after 9.30 p.m. the excursionists returned to town, having thoroughly and completely enjoyed themselves. We may mention that Mr Button’s band on board the Wellington and Mr Horsefield’s band on board the Taupo played at intervals during the day, and contributed generally to the enjoyment. The caterers for public recreation in this direction are to be congratulated upon their success, and we hope that during the summer many more may be projected.