EXCURSION TO AKAROA.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2127, 17 December 1880, Page 3

EXCURSION TO AKAROA.

The strong north-east wind which had prevailed for twenty-four hours before the hour for the departure of tho steamer for Akaroa yesterday, and whioh was still blowing very fresh, did not deter those excursionists who determined to visit Akaroa upon Akaroa'* greatest day of the year from securing a seat upon the poop deck of the Union Company's good ship Wanaka before that steamer left the jetty at a few minutes to nine o'clock yesterday morning. The courteous agent, Mr B. Fuflett, had resolved to get the boat away early—a resolve heartily opproved of by the excursionists —and after handing across the gangway about 150 intending voyagers, and seeing to the comfort of the fairer sex, representing fully half the excursionists, he gave the word all aboard, and the vessel was speedily under weigh. On the voyage down, which took a little more than four hours and a-half, thoße who were indifferent to the tossing and pitching remained to admire the really picturesque scenery rounding the peninsula. The major portion of the oxoureionists were, however, not insensible to the roll of the ship caused by a mighty agitation of the domain of Father Neptune, and were consequently otherwise engaged. Several who declared to no previous experience of sea sickness, joined the ranks of the admittedly indisposed, and, indeed, became ardent fellow sympathisers. As the boat entered Akaroa Heads, and smooth water, luncheon was announced, and Mr . Binstead, the polite and attentive steward, succeeded by the attractions of his table to tempt a fair number to replenish the inner man. The arrival at the Akaroa jetty found a goodly orowd of residents there prepared to give the visitors a cordial reception. A promising looal drum and fife band, lately started nnder the direotion of Mr Walter Parsons, greeted the excursionists with some martial music. THE EEGATTA. Officers— Commodore, W. B. Tosswill; secretary, W. H. Wood ; judges, Justin .Aylmer and H. H. Fenton ; starter, H. H. Fenton ; timekeeper, G. La Costa. A very good programme had been arranged by the committee, consisting of ten eveiits, but owing to the laxity in getting the races off but four hud taken piace up to the hour (five o'clock) at whioh the steamer left for Lyttelton. Tne only accident reported during the day occurred in connection with the regatta, namely, the swamping of the sailing boat Dauntless, which filled during a sudden puff of wind while out practising. Two men were thrown into the water, and barely escaped being drowned before assistance reached them. They were brought ashore in an extremely exhausted condition. The two yachts out sailing the yacht race at the I'me of the accident went a little out of their way to render the required assistance, and the yacht Venture is said to have lo»t position a little in consequence. If so the viotory she aohieved over the Fleetwing is a more decided one, as at a later stage in the raco the opinion v.as that tho Fleotwin-g could not fail to be the winner. She, however, came in not o good second, a defeat whioh those who Bailed her attribute to the carrying away of her bob-stay during the rao?. In the sailing race for opeii boats of 30ft keel, the Avalanche at one Btage of the race looked well for being first at the ; flagship, but her contact with one of tha buoys put her out of it, and tho Dream took

the lead, and held it to the finish, followed by the Edith Wynne. The result of the four events was ae follows : Yacht Bace, open to all comers.—First prize, 4325 ; second, £5 ; entrance, ■££. Venture—G. Black 1 Fleetwing—F. W. Maude 2 Men's fair-oared Race First prize, JE3 ; second, .£1 ; entrance, ss. Annie Wright—Wm. and A. Stuart 1 Pakeha—James and John Thomas 2 Molly—William and Joe Wright 3 Pa r- oared Race, for boys under eighteen— First prize, 30s; second, 10s ; entrance, 2s 6d. Moliy—G. Jolly and G. Henrici 1 Pakeha—W. Glynan and J. Williams ... 2 Larrikin—O. Watkins and L. Watkins ... 3 Sailing Bace, for open boats (30ft keel and under)—First prize, .£lO ; second, £3 ; entrance, -81. Dream—Tosswill 1 Edith Wynne—Geo. Wright 2

THE INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. Committee—President, Rev. Wm. Aylmor ; vice-president, Rev. Mr Stooker; hon. secretary and hon. treasurer, 8. Watkins ; Meters Harris, Welsh, Penn, Jolly, Bicknell, Weßtenra, Garwood, Hennicg, Wiggins, Meeoh, Billens, and Penlington. This most attractive feature of the day's programme at Akaroa is in the fourth year of its existence in its present form. As on previous occasions, it was held in the very commodious public sohoolhouse, one wing of which wao used for the industrial show proper and the other for the flowers and vegetables, &o. Soon after the steamer's arrival the exhibition was formally opened by Mr Montgomery, M.H.B. he being previously introduced to those present by the Kev. Mr Aylmer. Mr Montgomery expressed the pleasure it gave him to comply with the committee's request to address them, and in a few pleasing remarks he reviewed the past history of the exhibition, describing it as the first of the kind established in this colony. He complimented, as they well deserved, the committee fcr having solicited exhibits of sohoolwork from distant schools. This was a new departure to take, but one which he felt assured, if adopted in getting up future exhibitions, would add materially to the value and attraction of the show as such. On the present ocoagion, fifty-seven exhibits had been sent from distant schools, East Ohrietchurch school contributing largely. Mr Montgomery referred briefly to the excellence of many of the exhibits, and particularly of the work done in presence of the judges off hand. This consisted chiefly of speoimens of penmanship, drawing, sewing, hemming handkerchiefs. The paintings sent in both of oil and water-color were admirable as specimens of amateur art, and Mr Montgomery paid a worthy meed of praise to the exhibition of pawa shell work by Mr Riches. He regretted that the dairy produce, the cheese and butter, exhibited was not shown to the extent its importance as articles of loeal manufacture justified, and thought, as Akaroa bad a fair reputation for its cheese, more attention should be bestowed on the exhibits. After referring to the tolerably large show of flowers, he concluded by declaring the exhibition open. Speaking by comparison with previous exhibitions, the improvement yesterday was most marked in the quality of the work shown, the lace work and the needlework especially.