ANNIVERSARY FETE.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 676, 24 January 1852, Page 3

ANNIVERSARY FETE.

The customary sports in commemoration of the founding this settlement were duly celebrated on Thursday. The weather proved very favourable for the occasion, being a warm summer’s day with a light wind from the North West. The sports commenced by a Whale Boat Race in which three boats belonging to the American whaler Lewis started, two of them manned by hands from the whaler, and the winning boat by an English crew. The boats, in this and the other races, started from Messrs. W. Hickson & Co.’s wharf, went twice round the vessels in harbour, and round a boat moored off Pipitea Point; the race was well contested, the foremost boat winning bv about four boats’ lengths. In the Skiff race the Fairy was- first at starting, but before rounding the boat at Pipitea, was passed by the Hope, who kept the lead and came in first, the Yankee Hoodie being second. The Licensed Waterman’s Boat Race was a capital one, the boats keeping well together throughout the race, and the winner coming in only about a couple of lengths a-head ; the winning boat was manned by two of the crew that had previously won in the whaleboat race. The Sailing Match for decked vessels was won by Lieutenant Hutchinson’s Flying Dutchman, the Emma Jane being second : Mr. Allen’s General Palmer came in first but was disqualified by having gone on the wrong side of the Midlothian. Three canoes started for the canoe race, two belonging to Petoni and the third to Te Aro: this was a very interesting race, the canoes keeping together well throughout, and E Puni’s canoe coming in first closely followed by the two others. In the afternoon a great number of persons collected on Te Aro Flat to witness the Rural Sports, all of which came off except the cricket match. The foot race, foot steeple race, and jumping matches were won by privates of the 65th Regt. One of the Gingling matches was by a Maori. The Band of the 65th Regt, was on the ground by the kind permission of Col. Gold, and by their performance added to the enjoyment of the holiday folk.