LYTTELTON REGATTA.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 793, 6 January 1877, Page 3

LYTTELTON REGATTA.

A meeting for the distribution of prizes was held at the Mitre Hotel, Lyttelton, on Thursday evening last. There was a very large attendance ; Mr H. P. Murray-Aynsley, the commodore, occupying the chair. A letter was read from Mr P. Cunningham, regretting his inability to attend owing to urgent business in Christchurch ; and also from Mr W. Packard to the same purport. The Chairman then rose, and said he had a personal matter to explain. Certain statements had been made in the Lyttelton Times, which he would read to them—[read). From this it appeared as if he had entirely neglected the committee, and not provided sufficiently aboard the flag ship. The Times further stated that invitations had been issued to a number of people, asking them to lunch aboard the flag ship. This was incorrect ; the tickets simply granted admission to the Rangitikei, nothing at all about lunch was mentioned. He had intended to invite the committee between twelve and one o’clock to leave their work, if possible, and proceed with him aboard the flog ship to partake of some refreshments, and then return to work. When they got aboard, however, they found that all the tables were occupied, someone having given orders without his consent to open the hatches. He had sent plenty of provisions for the committee ship, but unfortunately a portion of them had miscarried. He did not know till afterwards that this mistake had occurred. He objected strongly to being abused by a newspaper correspondent that he had invited aboard his ship, and who was simply there in hia; professional capacity. They owed a debt of gratitude to Captain Scotland for placing the ship in such a good position at the last moment, and also to his officers, who had labored hard during the regatta day to make the commodore’s guests comfortable. Their next duty was a pleasing one, viz, the distribution of prizes, fCheers,J The prizes were then distributed, a few appropriate remarks being made by the commodore and vice-commodore as each was presented. Besides the cups for the present year, a very handsome one, valued at £75, and intended to be given for the Champion Sailing race next year, was exhibited, It was imported by Messrs Contes and Co, and is a solid silver cup. The body of the cup, which is supported by a handsome pedestal richly embossed, is parcel gilt, and upon one side is shown vessels sailing. The cover of the cup is surmounted by nautical emblems. The chairman then proposed the first toast—“ The health of Captain Clarke, of the XXX, the winner of the Champion Sailing race.” He congratulated him on having won the prize for Lyttelton, and was glad to hear of bis pluck in again challenging the other vessels to another race on Saturday. [Cheers.] (Drunk with musical honors). Captain Clark said that he thought his victory was, in a great measure, owing to the friends he had helping him aboard, especially Captain Whitby, without whom he did not think he should have pulled the race off. [Cheers.] The chairman called attention to the £W cup which the committee bad purchased to give for the Champion Sailing race next year. He wished them to tell everyone what a splendid prize would then be offered for competition. He then proposed the health of “ Messrs Niccol and Hulme,” owners of the yacht Secret. Drunk with musical honors. Mr H. R. Webb spoke in praise of the energy shown by Auckland builders, and wondered that they did not go to New South Wales to compete, where he was sure they would be received heartily by their yachting brethren. Mr Niccol, who was received with cheers, said he thanked them much for the kind reception given to him. He, and all his crew, had arrived there strangers, but had been treated most kindly; This was a proud evening for himself and his partner and crew. He would like now, if quite in order, to propose the health of the commodore. Cheers. | He (the speaker) had been fond of boating and shipping since he had been able to paddle about, and he really enjoyed the sport. Regarding the rules, he should like to make a few suggestions tor another year. When he left Auckland he understood that only hona fide yachts would be allowed to compete, but ou arrival he discovered one was going to race that would not have been allowed in Auckland. It did not tend to the prosperity of any club to allow such sailing machines to race. The sea-going yacht that could brave the weat her should be encouraged, but centre-board yachts should be disallowed. The Lyttelton men were thorough yachtsmen, and he had had much pleasure during his stay here. The whole of the regatta work had been admi-

rably done ; he had never seen better starts. They had not only received fair play, but even more. By good fortune the strange yachts had the windward berths, which gave them some advantage, and he was sorry they had had such a calm day for the race. The Secret had undoubtedly a great slant of luck towards the end of the race, but he thought they would all agree that they had beaten the others before the change of wind gave him such a decided advantage. He begged to propose Mr and Mrs Aynsley’s health. [Cheers.] Mr Holme also spoke of the kind welcome Lyttelton had extended towards him. The toast was drunk with musical honors. The Commodor said he thanked them for the way in which they had drunk Mrs Aynsley’s health and his own. He had seen the regatta grow from the competition of a few local boats to its present dimensions. The rules were changed year by year as found necessary, and he had no doubt Mr Niccol’s hints would not be thrown away on the new regatta committee. It was their endeavor to have all the races run on their merits, and he hoped next regatta day all who competed would be satisfied with the progress made. [Cheers,] Mr J. C. Boddington, vice-commodore, proposed Captain Scotland’s health. He had personal reasons for doing this, and when he had made them known he knew they would applaud him. They would recollect how the flag ship had been at first placed pretty close to the wharves. He had seen, the night before the regatta, that this was a mistake, and that she ought to be moored out to the transporting buoy, so he had got a policeman to call him at 4 a.m on the Ist, and had gone aboard the ship, woke up Captain Scotland, and asked him to move her. Most willingly did that gentleman respond to his call and had her shifted ; not a minute too soon, for the tide was ebbing fast. The speaker then referred to the handsome “cups given by the N.Z.S. Co. and Messrs Shaw, Saville & Go, the latter of which was on its way out from home. He did not think that the champion sailing race had been so well competed for as it should be. In no other place was such a prize offered, and they deserved greater encouragement. [Cheers.] Captain Scotland’s health having been drunk, that gentleman briefly replied. Mr H. R. Webb proposed the “ Health of Mr J. C. Boddington, the vice-commodore,’’ It was, no doubt, a great measure owing to his exertions that the success of the regatta was due.

Mr Boddington’s health having been drunk, with musical honours, that gentleman replied. He said that the work in connection with the regatta, instead of being a trouble, was a great pleasure to him. From ten years of age he had taken great interest in boating, but he had never been in any place where he had taken such pleasure in these matters as here, where he had thoroughly enjoyed working on the committee, because there were a number of gentlemen who showed much spirit, and put their shoulders to the wheel and worked with a will. In many places the people were apathetic, but here energy was shown alike by officers and committee. Regarding the yacht race, he might say that when the committee heard of the centrehoard yacht they saw their mistake, as they intended the prize, not for sailing machines, but for lona fide yachts, and had it not been considered too late, a rule excluding the centre-board yacht would have been passed. [Cheers.] Captain Clark proposed Shaw, Saville, and Go’s health, coupled with the name of Captain Parker. Mr Jacobson then proposed Mr Cunningham’s health, speaking of him as one of the principal supports of the regatta, and stating that, whether as commodore, vice-commo-or simply a committee man, ha always took more than his share of the work, and in fact might be called the hidden spring that moved the regatta. The toast was drank with the utmost enthusiasm. Captain McLellan having proposed Mr Hawkins’ health, which was drank with musical honors and ringing cheers, that gentleman responded both for Mr Cunningham and himself. He said that for the last four years he had done his best to inculcate a generous emulation amongst yachting men in Christchurch and Lyttelton, He had not yet been successful, few taking the interest he had hoped would be shown. The committee took much time in considering what was best to be done, and at last meeting it had. nearly been decided to exclude the centre board yacht, but it was thought such a measure would be harsh with so little notice. The commodore, however, had actually taken the trouble to seal her two centre boards himself in order that there should be no mistake. He thoroughly endorsed all that had fallen from Mr Jacobson regarding Mr Cunningham, who had the interests of the regatta really at heart, and devoted a good deal of time, trouble, and money to the matter, Lyttelton was in a measure shut out from many amusements by its limited area, and in getting up regattas they had always had the support of the Provincial Government, who reaped a rich harvest from the immense number of people that travelled to Lyttelton by rail on that day. This year more than 9000 had travelled on the lines ; but the Government had only given £SO, and he thought that in other years they could fairly be called on to give more. The large cup, valued at £75, which was on the table, and was intended as first prize in the Champion bailing race next year, with at least £IOO added, ought, he thought, to attract a larger number of vessels to compete next year. He thought they should receive better support than hitherto from the general public. He was glad the yacht race had gone to the Auckland vessel (Secret, as he believed she was the best boat; but next year Mr Cunningham and himself intended to try hard to win. [Cheers.] Mr H, E. Webb proposed the “Unsuccessful Candidates." Mr Street, of Dunedin, had brought his yacht there to compete at great trouble and expense. This was showing the right spirit, and he hoped others would emulate this example. He begged to propose the toast, coupled with the name of Mr Street of the Winona ; Captain Mills, of he Valparaiso, who had at the last moment entered his boat; and Mr Byes, as representative of the L.T.C.’s Fleetwing. Ti 16 t , oasfc vas drunk with musical honors. Mr Street replied. It was his wish to help yacht sailing as much as he possibly could. He had never seen a regatta carried out m a more creditable manner anywhere, tie was sorry that it had not been a more satisfactory day, but without doubt the best o°!r u WODI prizes were very liberal, ana he had attended many regattas in the

old country where gentlemen sent their yachts where they were much smaller. He might offer one suggestion, it appeared to him that there were a number of straggling clubs along the New Zealand coast line, and it would be much better to form one central club, as it would give a to the whole thing, and wo r k under one general flag. At present there was not room for more than one club—[Hear, hear] —and he should be glad to see it started, and hoped to be present at next year’s regatta ; he had never expected to win this being only under jury canvass, [Cheers.] Mr Eyes also replied, and Captain Mills. The chairman proposed—“ The Harbor Authorities,” coupled with the names of Captains Gibson, McLellan, Galbraith, and Reid, which was responded to. The hon treasurer then made a rough statement of the finances, which were as follows :—Balance from last year, £lO5 10s ; Government grant, £SO; subscriptions, £269; entrances, £57 ; sale of sites for booths, £2O; total, £492 10s. The prizes amounted to £350 ; and the expenses were estimated at £BO, making total of £430, leaving a balance sufficient to purchase cup for next year. Cups had also been given valued at £73, so that, altogether, the prizes this year had amounted to £423, The chairman then proposed the health of the officers of the regatta, which was responded to by Messrs Gibson and Hawkins (judges), who referred at length to the great services rendered by Oapt Petherbridge. Mr Crosbie replied for the starters, Messrs Tayler and Lance for timekeepers, and Mr Jacobson as secretary. The health of the gentlemen who so kindly came from Christchurch to pull in the starter’s boat was also enthusiastically drunk. After a number of other toasts, including “ Capt Whitby,” “The masters of ;vessels competing in Champion race,” “ Oapt Lombard, of the Secret,” “The Visitors,” “ The Press,” “ Our Host,” and “ The Chairman,” the meeting broke up after a really pleasant evening.