HELENSVILLE REGATTA.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 3 January 1912, Page 3

HELENSVILLE REGATTA.

A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING

The weather on ..New Year's Day was all that could be desired for the Helensville Annual Regatta at Shelly Beach. Almost from daylight the river was alive with small crafts preparing for the days outing and wending their way to the vicinity of Shelly Beach, situated at the mouth of the Kaipara River, one of the most suitable places North of Auckland, for aquatic and land sports and picnicking. At 9,30 the Auxiliary Cutter Breta Tui left with a full complement, and was followed by, the Flagship, S.S. Tuirangi, after the arrival of the first train which brought about 200 passengers from Auckland and along the line, including the Ist Battalion Band, which had been secured by the Regatta Committee, and was followed by the S.S. Bell Bird shortly afterwards, the river being alive from Helensville to the beach with the smaller craft. The passengers being landed the beach at once became a scene of activity the picnic parties selecting the cosy and shady nooks along the hill side for preparing the camps, while the Steamers with their streams of bunting took up their positions parallel to the camping ground, surrounded by motor launches, etc., the whole presenting a picturesque scene. Those who undertook the arduous work of carrying this, the first Helensville Annual Regatta to such a successful issue deserve the credit which such success will bring forth, as the 500 who were present showed in no unmistakable manner as they wended their way homeward tiredJbut satisfied with the splendid days outing. On arrival at the wharf cheers were given, and God Save the King led off by the band which had enlivened the day with a good programme of music. It is antici ■ pated that there will be a fairly large surplus as a nucleus for next years outing after all expenses are paid. Thanks is due "to Mr Jas. McLeod, for permission to hold the regatta at this lovely spot, which is an ideal pleasure resort, and if rumour is true, and Mr. McLeod lets the beach and 20 acres surrounding be reserved as a pleasure resort, there is every reason to believe Shelly Beach will become most popular for picnic parties and gatherings of all kinds. But there is one thing to bear in mind, that is, that those taking advantage of privileges generously granted, should not abuse them as some individuals did, by setting fires and destroying the native bush which affords such excellent shelter and adds so much to the beauty to the surroundings.

The aquatic sports were all well contested, the five events being got off without a hitch. The handicapping, with one exception was very good, and the handicappers, Captain Hammond, Captain W. Sandin and Mr W., Shannon, deserve praise for the manner in which they handled the motor launches which varied so much in build and power, with no previous records to guide them, having to rely on the Sealed Handicap race, which was the first on the programme, being won by one of Mr. Fenton's boats. The exception being in the case of Mr Specks boat being given a run over in the Handicap Motor Launch Race, owing to being so far behind' in the sealed handicap test; it was easily seen at the commencement of the race that a mistake had been made as this boat had covered considerably more than half the course before the Wairoa flyer, Mr Hoiland's boat, which was scratch, got away. However the race proved a very interesting one as several launches closely fought for the positions of 2nd, 3rd and 4th, V. McLeod's boat just beating Hoiland's which had j made a splendid run passing the other 13 boats, W. Johnson's coming next, being overrun on the winning post. Hoilands time for the race was 23min. 42secs., McLeod's 32min 25secs, Johnson's 27min 28sec, Speck's 31min 53secs.' Speck's boat passed the winning post lmin 12secs ahead of McLeod, having receiving 1 mm 8 sees start from him. A protest was lodged, upon hearing of which Mr Speck informed the Secretary that in the first race he had had a bad start and his engine had stopped. After considerable discussion re times the committee upheld the protest, awarding McLeod 1, Hoiland 2, W. Johnson 3. The best race of the day was the Auxiliary Launch Race, which was won by G. Constable's boat by a few inches, from T. Scott, W. Johnson being third a couple of lengths behind, the others some distance away in a bunch. Scott's boat attempted to pass to leeward of Constable about 200 yards from the winning post, the latter taking his wind, his sailing power was lost, and his engine was not strong enough to draw away, Constable getting the bene-

fit of a breeze at the winning post gained the verdict. The punt races also brought good finishes, as did the Consolation Motor Launch Race.' The shore sports were well con- j tested, and evoked considerable interest on- Shore. The tug-of-war, Maoris v. Europeans, which was won by the former, was a fair trial of strength. The greasy pig was not taking any undue exertion, evidently close confinement in a sack all day took all the energy out of him, much to the disappointment of the number who had entered for the chase, as well as the spectators. The childrens events, the ladies' race and the fisherman's race brought out fair fields. The following officers carried out their duties in a conscientious manner : Aquatic sports —Judge, W. Ryall Fosbroke ; starter, Capt Sellars ; timekeeper, Mr Laird ; handicappers, Capts. Hammond and Sandin, and Mr Channon;. generally committee, Messrs Jas. McLeod, J. A. Wilson, and P. Langley. Messrs Willis and Tui McEwin had charge of the land sports, with Messrs Hill and Stringer as judges, while Mr F. Tucker, the energetic general secretary, deserves credit for the able way he discharged his numerous duties throughout. The dance in the 7 evening was attended by about 50 couple, and dancing was kept going until after midnight, the music being .supplied by Misses Little and Donovan. Following are the results : — AQUATIC SPOBTS. SEALED HANDICAP : Open to all. All Competitors, in Motor Events must start in this race. Distance, about five miles, over given course. First prize, £3 ; second prize £1. R. Fenton, 5^ mm., 1. ~W. Johnson, 6^ mins., 2. W. Millwood. 7 mins., 3. J. Wilson, 6|- mins., 4. 18 entries. This race presented a pretty sight as the boats strung out. after passing the last buoy and coming into the straight, which, was along the front of the beach. HANDICAP MOTOR LAUNCH RACE: Distance, about five miles over given course. .First prize, £6 ; second prize, £2, third prize, trophy value 10s, donated by Messrs Jag' ger and Harvey. V. McLeod, 8 mm. 52 sec. 1 Holland, ,scr. 2 W. JohQSon, 3 mm. 42 sec. 3 14 entries. Mr Speck's boat won < the race, but was disqualified. Holland's boat mado a splendid run, pasing one boat after the other in great .style and if the distance had been another 25 yards would have won. FISHERMAN'S PUNT RACE; For fishermen only, an ordinary fishing punts. Distance, over given course. Prize, Trophy, valued £1 Is, donate ed by Messrs L. D. Nathan and Co f G. Bennett 1 V. Phillips 2 3 starter, A good race between the placed boats; won by a length. PUNT RACE: For other than fishermen. Same com se as previous race, in ordinary fishing1 punts. Prize, Trophy, donated by tlio Colonial Ammunition Co. P. McLeod, 1 Jackson 2 6 starters. A rather amusingl race at the start, nearly all the Loats fouling each other several times, until the turn for home when McLeod took the lead and won easily. HANDICAP AUXILIARY MOTOR LAUNCH RACK: Motor and Sails. Distance, about five miles over given course. First prize, £3; second prize, £1. G-. Constable, 7m. 40s, j T. Scott, 4m. 45?. 2 W. Johnson, scr. 3 Only starters. A splendid race. The distances between the boats gradually lessened as they sailed round the course, and coming into the straight for home it was anyones race. Scott overhauled Constable about 200 yards from the Flagship, but lost his chanct. by trying to run to leeward, when Constable's sails kept the wind from him, and as his engiue was not strong enough against the double power of his opponent, the two boats came along together until within reach of the winning post when Constable catching the full benefit of a nice breez6 gained the verdict by a few inches. Johnson although quickly overhauling the leaders, was two longths away, passing the post 3secs. behind the others. CONSOLATION MOTOR LAUNCH RACE, HANDICAP: To be over a given course. Distance, about five miles. First prize. £3 • second pri/e, trophy donated by Messrs Jaggar and Harvey, Holland, scr. 1 Fenton, 3rn 32s 2 J. Wilson", 3m 30s 8, 0 entries. Hoiland's won by Ira 4s, Fenton being 45s in front of Wilson. There T.-ere no entries for the Ladies' Punt Race. BUORE SPORTS. BOY'S FOOT RACE, 75 yards, for boys under 16 years. H. Norton, 18 yds. I N. Stewart, 15 yds, 2 G. Card, 10.yds, 3 10 entries. Well handicapped race, all finishing in a bunch

GIRLS' FOOT RACE, 50 yards for girls under 16 years. K. Turner, 1 O. Bennett 2 M. White, 3 10 entries. LADIES RACE, 50 yards. Miss H. Bradly, 1 11 entries. 100 yds. FOOT RACE FOR FISHERMEN : W, Scott, 1 7 entries. TUG-OF-WAR, Maoris v. Europeans : Was won by the Maoris after a fair* ly hard struggle. CATCHING THE GREASY PIG : This event had been looked forward to by a number'of spectators as one that would cause some fun, "but piggie had been in the sun all day and did not put much energy in his attempt to elude his pursuers. Being given a second chance did not encourage him much, and he eventually bocame the property of T. Hafford.