FOXTON REGATTA

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 43, 23 January 1880, Page 2

FOXTON REGATTA.

Tiio nnnu:il Foxton Regatta took placo yesterday, and was in every way an undoubted .success. When tho project was mooted, a woak or two ago, it was not reg.irdfd with favour by tho townspeople generally, who thought ti>nes were too h:\rd, but a considerable amount of energy was thrown into the affair, and as tho result a capital programme was drawn up. Evory preparation was made by tho Committee to ensuro a successful day's sport, the result being what was in many respects tho bent regatta hold in Foxton. The weather -was all that could bo desired. In tho morning a stiff nor' -westerly breeze was blowing, greatly to the advantage of the sailing boats, but in tho afternooon the wind fell away. The first race was started at 10.32 a.m. The following is the list of events : — Sniling Race. — Open to all boats without centre boards. Distance, thrice round the course. First prize .£7 ; second prize, £2. For this there were three entries — Jonson's Blaok Easle, sailed by the owner and Ella; Liddoll's Electra, sailed by N.Soiascia and Captain Connor; and Stewart's Swift, sailed by C. Waters, J. rlillary.and T. Cook ; The fast-sailing qualities of Jonson's boat made her the favorite, but some of the knowing ones said the Swift would try her in tho beating. This, however, did not eventuate The Eagle took the lead and rounded tho upper snag some distance ahead of the others, the Electra following closely, and the Swift some distance behind. These positions wore maintained throughout, the Black Eagle taking first prize, and the Electra second, whilst tho Swift seeing there was no ehanco, dropped from the race. The sailing race throughout was a capital ouo. Four-oared inrigged Race ; throe milc3. Firat prize, £1-3 ; second prize, £'i 10s. This was the crack race of the day. It will bo remembered that last year tho two Wanganui Clubs contested this race, beating foxton, the visitiag boats being Ihe Walerlily and Maiden. This year the entries were — Queen Mab (Foxton Rowing Club).— A. Howo (stroke). J. Collins, J. Symj.'is, an 1 TV". Collins, with Joe Collins as coxswain ; Waterlily (Wanganui Rowing Olul)) — Montgomery (stroke), T. D. Cummins, Barraud, and JI. Smith, with Ernest Coombo coxswain ; Transit (Union Rowing Club — Wansjanni) — Hughes (stroke), Hewett, M'Gonagle, Connall, and A. Gray coxswain. The belting was greatly in favour of the Walerlily, tlu men in which pulled a beautiful stroke, as they rowed down to Hartley's, wh«rc the start was to be made. Mr Young went down on horseback, and started the mcii, near Ihakar*'s bend, tin: course being up tho river as far as ihe snag near tha ferry, and back to tho wharf, a di-tance of three miles. A capital start was effected, and the two Wanganui boats drew away .slightly from the Mab for nomo distance, but Howe called on his men, who responded with a spurt, and the Foxton boat slowly p:iß«ed her competi tors.Gre.it excitement prevailed when the first boat rounded tho point. The Foxton men hud doffed their caps, and it was difficult to tell what boat it was, but when, a minute after, the other boats appeared in sight, it was certain that Foxton had gut a lead quite suflicicnt to ensure the race. As the boat passed the wharf a cheer was given, and the race was intently watched to the close. Collins gavo his boat a capital turn round tho snag, and the Foxton men putting on a go .id spurt, passed the winning post about 20 lengths ahead of the Transit, which was about 0 lengths ahead of the Wnterlily. Both the first and second boats were heartily cheerod. Boys' pair-oared Race, for ordinary river boots. For boys under lf> years of age. First prizg, A'l 10s ; second prize, 10s. There were four entries tor this race. The Lily, pulled by Traslc and Howe ; Minnie, pulled by J. Burr and A. t'ilmore ; King John, pulled by Burgess and Reimenschneider; Electra, pulled by W. Liddell and W. Cook. The Minnie was evidently too much for the other boats, and wou easily, with the Electra second. Pair-oared inrigged Race — open to all boats with or without coxswains. First prize, .I*3 ; sec <nd prize, £1. This was rather a hollow affair. There were only two boats entered — the Grand Duchess and Queen Mab, both owned by the Foxton Bowing Club. The former was pulled by Burr and Gray, the latter by Hillary and G. Russell. It was evident from tho start that the race was in the hands of the Duchess, the men in the four-oared gig being too heavily weighted to give them a chance against the skiif. The Mab dropped out of the race, and retired to the shed, leaving the Duchess to win as sha liked. Canoe Race. — No restriction as to canoes or number of crew. Paddles only. Distance, once round tho course. Prize, £1 10s. Two canoes were entered for this event — one containing six, the other five men. The race was a good one, and caused groat amusement. Four oared Race, for ship's giifS. Distance, two miles. First prize, £7 ; second prize, £'i. Two boats were entered for this event — the Rose and City of Auckland ; the former manned by Burr (stroke), Gray, Hillary, aud 11. Robinson ; whilst the crew in the City were Stewart (stroke), Murphy, J. Russell, and Shore. The Rose soon drew ahead of the other boat, aud after the course had been gone over once, the C.ty retired from the race, leaving the Rose to win. Scullers' Rice. — For open boats only. First prize, £3 ; second prize, £1. Burr rowed the King John for this event, whilst Jonson tried his luck in the Eloctra, The race was won by the former. Four-oared inrigged Race. Distance, three miles. First prize, £5 ; second prize, £2 10s. The three boats— Waterlily, Queen Mab, and Trausit— entered for this raci, which was over the same course as the big race, A good start was again effected, the Wanganui boats rowing very havd at first, tho Waterlily gaining a Blight lead, and the Queen Mab dropping behind. The superior "grit" of the local men, however, again took them to the front, and when the boats same in view, they hold the same position as in tho former race, except being closer together. After rounding the snag, it was seen that tho first priza was certain to fall to Foxton, but a most exciting race ensued for second place. Coming down the river a slight foul occurred, hut on nearing the jjost the two crews worked tremendously, the result being a dead heat. A protest was entered by the Waterlily against the Transit, owing to the foul, but was not allowed. The next event was the swimming race. For this there were four entries — Messrs O'Brien, Ella, Harris, and Hurst. The course was across tho river and back. O'Brien was the winner, EHa being a good second, and Harris following close upon him, whilst Hurst was a long way behind. The greasy pole was the next event. Tbis was about 20 feet long, well greased, and run out from tho stem of the sohooner Aspasia. Four persons entered — J. Purcell, A. Reeve, Giles, and another whose name we could not ascertain. Tho men one alter another endeavoured to reach tho flag at the end, and great laughter burst from the people as each competitors plunged into the water. At last Pnrcell made a rush and secured it, winning the ponnd. a Tbis concluded tho sport, and the crowd—

numbering about 500 — slowly left Ibo ground. Tiio Cmimilteo aro to bo congratulated on the successful manner in which the rcg.itta was carriwl out. Messrs Batt (Judge) Burgpss (starter), Shore (Secretary), »\nd Young aro deserving of particular mention, having worked very hard to make Ihing3 successful. As some persons questioned the decision for second prize in the lust inriggod case, asserting that tho Waterlily was ahead, wo may say that the starter and the only coramitteeman at the Judge's post fully confirm Mr Batt's decision that it was a dead tie. Mr Batt appealed to tho crews interested afterwards, and they both expressed their 301130 of the correctness of tho decision. The Foxton people lou.lly cheered the visiting crews, as the train uioved away from the station, and were cheered in return.