YACHT RACE AT NELSON.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1125, 6 March 1872, Page 4

YACHT RACE AT NELSON.

Tho raco for the silver cup, presented by Messrs Shaw, Saville, and Co. to the ; Nelson Regatta Clnb, came off on Monday last. A finer day for tho purpose could not have been wished for. all things considered. Three vessels only entered for this race, namely, the Minne-ha-lia, belonging to Mr Cross, the Lightning, Mr Burn, and the Dolly Varden, Mr Ponsonby. An excellent start was effected ; the Minne being to windward, the Lightnine next, and the Dolly Varden in-shore. On beating up tho harbor, tho Minno rounded tho first buoy linin 55sec ahead of the Lightning, and 3min s*sec ahead of the Dolly Varden, but when running free to the mouth of the harbor, the Lightning gained upon the Minne so rapidly as to lead her admirers to back her freely for first place. However, when the little vessels came. to feel the force of the wind outside, and tho retarding effects of rather a lumpy sea, the superior trim of the Minne, and the seamanship displayed _by her owner, Mr Cross, who sailed her himself, began to tell at once, and before the buoy off the Moutere was reached, symptoms of a desire to " hedge" among the sporting gentlemen on board tho Lady Barkly were manifested, and the drawers of the boats in the various "sweeps" were moved to commercial activity, in the effort to exchange tho Lightning for the Minne for first place, and Dolly Varden for the former for second. However, the two other boats had the heels of tho Dolly, and although she sailed a plucky race she had no chance against either of them The Wakapuaka buoy was passed in the following order:— Minne-ha-ha, 1.52 p.m.; Lightning, 2.19 p.m.; Dolly Varden, 2.31 p.m. From this point the Lightning gained somewhat on the Minne, as the course was free — and that is evidently the Lightning's strong pomt — but nevertheless the Minne won easily, tho vessels arriving at the winningpost in the following order : — Minne-ha-ha, 2.50 p.m.; Lightning, 3.10 p.m.; Dolly Varden, 3.22 p.m. Great credit is dne to all parties who sailed in the race. The Minne is an old favorite, and had established a reputation for herself at Wellington.