REGATTA AND RURAL SPORTS IN LYTTELTON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 373, 31 May 1856, Page 8

REGATTA AND RURAL SPORTS IN LYTTELTON.

(The following was unavoidably omitted on Wednesday last.;

The public rejoicings to commemorate the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen, were commenced on Saturday last, (the 24th inst..) but in consequence of the boisterous state of the weather, were not concluded till Monday, another instance — (notwithstanding the tradition of " Queen's weather" at one time prevailing on the looked-for " 24th,") —of the uncertainty of the weather at this season. This year, in addition to the usual regatta, the Committee arranged a well-selected programme of rural sports ; and if we may judge from the numbers assembled to witness these sports, and the keen interest awakened, the labours of the Committee were Dot thrown away. In fact, it is indisputable that the public of Lyttelton can enjoj a public holiday ; and we have always understood that such a disposition is a good criterion of the industry of a people. The "sinews of war" were plentifully contributed, which allowed fair prizes to be offered to the competitors in the rural games, without diminishing those appropriated to-the Regatta sports. The sums collected and the entrance fees amounted to £95 19s , and we understand that about £15 remain uncollect^d. The expences of the two days, including the prizes, were £80 4s. 7d , which leaves a balance (including tha sums promised, but not collected) of about £30. This balance, we hear, is to be paid into the Lyttelton Savings* Bank, to form the nucleus of a fund to be raised for a regatta on New Year's day.

The aquatic sports commenced on Saturday with the Decked Boats. The following started :—The''Emerald," M'Clutchey ; •' itory .O'More," Gordon ; " Palinurus/' Johnson; t: Fanny," G. Clarkson. The " Emera'd" won easily, the " Rory O'More" taking the second prize.

Prizes were allotted for competition among the open sailing boats, but this race did not come off on Saturda\'; three boats started on the following Monday, but the wind failing them, they returned to anchor, and the race was abandoned.

The following was the result of the races between the 5-oared and 4-oared whaleboats :—. riVE-OAKED. G. F. Scott's " I will if I can" . . l W. Cummins' " Old Joe" . . 2 J. Grubb's" Maori" . . . 0 FOUK-OA.il ED. G. F. Scott's " Hose of Tasmania" . 1 A. Rhodes' " Content" ... 2 P. Cameron's" Shagroon"' . . Q Dingy 1 ace.—contended for by George and Thomas Clarkson, the former winningafter a severe struggle. b Duck Hunt.—Thos. Clarkson personated the duck, two whale boats, each with four oars without steersmen, pursuing This was a capital bit of fun. Clarksoij in a dingy lay off the schooner "John Bull" watching his pursuers, and as they neared him, he skilfully turned the dinsry, and shot past, still clinging to the schooner, around which he dodged the crews of the whale boats for some time. Unfortunately, while shooting between the two boats, one of his sculls was knocked out of hj s hand by an oar, and, although lie took to the water with the alacrity of a web.foot, his pursuers were equally aqueous, and he was ultimately captured. The bowsman of each boot having nabbed (lie duck simultaneously, on this account they resigned the prize to Clarkson. This concluded the aquatic sports.

Rural Sports.—These were contended for on Monday. The first was styled in

the programme "'climbing' the greasy pole," but it proved a gymnastic feat beyond the powers of the competitors. Several attempts were made, both singly, and by men and boys standing on each other's shoulders, to reach the coveted prize, but the}' were all unsuccessful. Each failure occasioned considerable among the crowd assembled ; but as the human ladders one after another gave way, round after round disappearing, the shouts of the people were vociferous. The mutton was afterwards awarded to G. Walters for his exertions to secure it. A "jingling match,"W. Harris catching the bellman, was going- on at the satrie time, and very much increased the merriment of the people. The lucky jingler had the good fortune also to catch the pig with the soapy tail. " Jumping in sacks" followed these games ; J. Allen and W.Genet gaining the prizes. Foot-races, one for men and one for boys, succeeded ~this, the former won by P. Cameron, the latter by T, Clarkson. The prizes for the wheelbarrow race were divided between W. Harris, Hughes and Anderson, who appeared able to drive a barrow blindfolded equally as well as most people witb their eyes open. The wanderings of the unsuccessful competitors afforded great amusement. "Grinning through a collar" (concluded the sports: the broad grin of the successful candidate enchanting many admirers. On the whole, we congratulate the committee on the successful result of their exertions, and trust to see a repetition of these or similar sports at the next public holiday. /