THE REGATTA.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 618, 4 January 1870, Page 2

THE REGATTA.

" Queen's weather" again smiled upon "■* the continuation of the amusements held on New Year's Day. From the appearance of the crowded streets on the pwfc'SjN vious evening it was seen that very few d$ -.

our visitors had left, and that they were | determined to see the week out, and well " they were rewarded, for the varied bills of fare placed before them were quite suffi- ( cient to satisfy the tastes of the most fastidious pleasure - hunter. Naturally, by far, the largest number remained to witness the regatta, and the Committee wo think exercised a wise discretion in placing the flag-ship Dispatch (kindly lent j for the occasion by the agent, Mr Moss), at the end %t Tainui street, where, from its being in the vicinity of tlie new wharves, large crowds could assemble and witness both siart and finish. The balconies of Kilgour's, Gilmer's, the Brian Boru, and Albion hotels were also crowded by numbers of the fair sex, giving an unmistakably general holiday appearance, (as all places of business, hotels excepted, wer* shut), to the long live of houses stretching along Mawhera and Richmond Quays. The first event was The Sculler's Race, once round, for all licensed watermen -Prize, L 7; 3 entries. Entrance, 10s. G. Jackson (Telegraph) 1 H. Bowie 2 R. Collins (Amateur) ... ... ... 3 In starting, Jackson, who drew the iuside place, at once started for the Cobden side with a long steady sweeping stroke, leaving Bowie and Collins following more in the centre of the river. When opposite Cobden coal wharf, Jackson struck across stream rounding the flag-buoy a good distance ahead of his opponents, and kept increasing his lead during the whole course, eventually coming in an easy winner. I? Amateur Sculling Race— Prize, L5;«-3 I entries. Entiance, 10s. J Ollivier (Zerhna) ... 1 R, Carter (Star) ... 2 — Brown (Tidal Wave) 3 The winner of this race pulled in a boat which arrived from Hokitika the same morning, Mr Carter pulling in his own gig, and Mr Brown in a racing skiff built by himself. Mr Ollivier made for the slack water on the Cobden side, and got first round the buoy, closely followed, however, by Messrs Carter and Brown. Their relative positions were never altered during the race, the Zerlina coming in ahead of the Star by about 20 yards. Pair-oared Race— Prize, L 10; 4 entries. Entrance, 10s. .Ollivier and Carter (Star) 1 Miller and Hale (Waterfly) * .2 G. .Jackson aud Bradshaw (Tidal Wave) ... 3 _ Sharp and Fenwick (Wanderer) ... ... 4 All four boats got off to a good start given by Capt. Deare (who during the day ably discharged this duty), and pulling up stream kept well together until rounding the flag-buoy, which was done first by the Star, followed by the Waterfly, Tidal Wave, and Wanderer. This order was continued to the lower flag-ship, when an unintentional foul occurred between the second aid third boats, leaving a very decided lead to the leading one (the Wanderer here had given up the race on account of the unsuitableness of their oars). From this moment, but for au accident, it was evident that nothing could prevent Messrs Carter and Ollivier from winning, as their rowing was the theme of admiration from every onlooker ; and it eventually proved to be the case, as they came in several lengths in advance of the second and third. The Tidal Wave made a spirited spurt to reach the Waterfly, but failed to do so at the finish. Cargo Boat Race— lst prize, Ll2 ; 2nd do, L 3 ; 3 entries. Entrance, LI. Mr H. M'Oill's boat (Conqueror) . .... 1 Mr Montgomery's boat (Thunderer) ... 2 Mr H. Wicks' boat (Lily) 3 A difficulty being experienced in obtain- . ing the required entries, Mr Wick's boat put in an appearance to ensure a start, which being effected, she, amid labored efforts and good-humored badinage "from the crbwd, was pulled quietly back to her berth, leaving the other two boats to contest the race. It was won by" the Conqueror, but not without strenubus efforts being made by the crew, and especially the bow oar of the opposing boat, to overhaul them. The Conquerer was was well steered by Joe M'Gee, who had the steer-oar nearly hah? the time out of the water. Sailing Mateh — Prize, L 6; 5 entries. Entrance, 10s. Mr Wilson's Water Lily ... ... ... 1 Mr Stringer's Goldseeker ... 2 Mr Olliyier's Lily 3 Mr Splain's Amateur 4 Mr Scotchmore's Stonewall Jackson ... 5 As all theboats had to make sail upon .the discharge of the gun — some 'did iiot^get away so readily as others. The Amateur and Goldseeker were at once the leading boats, and a considerable distance ahead of the three others, who lost time in getting way upon them. The first to round the buoy was the Amateur, followed by the Goldseeker, Water Lily, and Stonewall Jackson. From this point the interest of the race may be said to have \ commenced, as the wind was blowing steadily from seaward, and the boats had to beat down stream. The two most ably handled were the Water Lily and the Gold&eeker, and they soon began to show their opponents their weatherly qualities, although, the Amateur kept well in their wake. It was unfortunate that the Stonewall Jackson was not better handled, as she was a formidable competitor, but from having been placed several times in chains her chance was entirely lost from nearly the commencement of the race. Having rounded thelowerbuoyfirst, the Water Lily was never afterwards headed, although the Goldseeker in the home run was fast closing upon her. The latter was ably handled by Stringer and his mate, and with more ballast might have shown her heels to the winner. Foue-oarkd Race -Prize, Lls; 3 entries. Entrance,- Ll. M. Miller, Jas. Rankin, G. Jackson, and H. Bowie, stroke— (Waterfly) ... 1 J. Robertson, \vm. Fenwick, Jno. Morrison, and James Sharp, stroke— (Wanderer) ... 2 Messrs Carson, Clarke, Stringer, and Collins, stroke (Comet) 3 „ From the first it was evident that the race was a foregone conclusion, and it proved so, as the issue was never for a moment in doubt. A spirited and plucky contest was maintained between the two last, the Comet coming with a rush at the finish, and only failing by a boat's length to reach her opponent. This hist race was loudly applauded, and the. plucky manner in which the crews of the Wanderer and Comet pulled a losing race evoked repeated bursts of applause. The proceedings of the day passed off in the most agreeable manner possible ; and with the exception that the first race w« started one hour and a half behind

time, the Committee, Capt. Allardyce as 3 udge, and Mr Jas. Payne (hon. sec.) deserve every credit for tlie manner in which the arrangements were carried out.