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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5238, 7 January 1878, Page 2

It would be a great pity if, as a correspondent whose letter we published the other day appears to fear, public interest in our annual regatta should decline. We do not think there is much probability of such a contingency. It only requires the formation of a committee of gentlemen who take an interest in these truly national sports, and who understand their business, to come to the front, and the public, as heretofore, will not be “ backward in coming forward ” with the funds needful for prizes and other necessary and incidental expenses. We are glad to observe that our aquatic friends are already bestirring themselves. It is more than ever necessary that special attention should be paid to all matters appertaining to nautical pursuits now that Wellington is rapidly attaining to the foremost rank among New Zealand seaports—a position to which its splendid harbor and geographical position clearly entitle it. None will deny that it is of the utmost importance to a seaport town that a, love of the sea should be encouraged in the young. The profession of the sea is among the moat useful of all professions, and highly honorable to those engaged in it. It is inseparably connected with the extension of commerce, a matter with which the interests of both the sailor and the landsman are immediately associated. Englishmen are not insensible of the importance of maritime enterprise. To Britain it is the very life blood of her existence, and to the colonies it is equally so. It was this prominence in naval skill and daring in days of yore, that gave her her immense superiority in; commerce and war, and exalted her to the proud position of dictator of the destinies of Europe. Those bravo old tars well understood the importance of an additional point to windward, or a knot an hour, which gave them the “ weatherguage” of their adversaries, which carried them victoriously through many a hard fought day, and gave Britain her magnificent supremacy over the “broad highway of the seas.” It is this fact which, at this moment, causes the Russian autocrat, with his colossal empire at his back, and Turkey at his feet, still indeed struggling valiantly but overmatched in the unequal strife, to watch with the utmost interest the rise and fall of public opinion in England. He knows full well that her mighty armanents are changed, it is true, but still supremo as when they crushed the power of nations at Dominica, Aboukir, and Trafalgar. While speaking of the advantages of regattas in general, it may not bo uninteresting to our readers to relate that the first regatta held in the Australasian colonies came off in Hobarton about the year 1835, in honor of the anniversary of the foundation of the colony. The late Sir J ohn Franklin was then Governor of the island, and to him belongs the honor of initiating these sports, which now form a prominent feature in the annual programme of sports in the various colonies. This was a work for which the “Sailor Governor” was especially fitted. He was captain, starter, and general master of the ceremonies on the occasion, and for many years after the settlers would speak with unfeigned satisfaction of the doings of Sir John on that to them eventful day. He was kind and affable to all, and they were wont to describe how the old knight’s face beamed with joy as he was brought once more in contact with his native element. These were days when all the settlers were acquainted with each other, by reason of the smallness of their numbers. The first regatta was the cause of a happy reunion of friends long separated by distance. Many might bo seen, for days previously, wending their way to town in carts and such primitive vehicles as were at their command. In those good old times travelling in the colonies even for a few miles was a matter of some difficulty. : Roads and bridges and other reproductive works had not extended beyond the environs of the seaports, and the wilderness had not resounded to the shrill whistle of the iron horse. It would astonish many to . see the strides that have been made in the construction of boats since the period referred to. There were the heavy cumbersome boats built for bay -whaling,' ‘long sevens,’ clinker-built and iron-fastened, and for the most part built of hardwood. In these and similar ponderous craft the various competitors contended. But the spectators wore not the less delighted, and were, as now, loud in their praises of the successful ones. Now we have boats of extreme lightness and elegance of construction, so near perfection, indeed, that it would almost lead to the conclusion that they ; cannot be improved upon, either for the one or the other. It may be open to question , whether our modern racing boats are of any practical value outside of the purpose for which they are ■ designed, and we presume there are few who would 1 be disposed to contested the point. But the same may be said of the racehorse, and yetfewwouidbefoimd bold

enough to assert that James I. did no good when he instituted horse racing. One fact is clear, that those cities in Australia which have paid most attention to regattas, yachting, &c., have turned out the best sailors, and the greatest number of them, and have ever been foremost in maritime enterprise. Apart from the great commercial advantages which must result from imparting a knowledge of aquatic pursuits to the young, there are also the great physical benefits attendant upon vigorous and manly exercise. The exertion necessary to a thorough training to ensure successful competition, will of consequence invigorate the physical powers and develop the muscular strength. There are two boating clubs in this city, each having a goodly fleet of boats, and a fair number of members, although we have not heard much of their doings this season. We hope they are working vigorously, even though quietly, and that the various crews will be able to give account of themselves at the forthcoming contest. We have not penned this article under the impression that our people require any arguments to convince them of the practical utility of these friendly contests. We are quite sure that the appeal has only to be made, and the public will respond to the call liberally, and our annual regattas will continue to be more and more popular, and be conducted on a scale which shall keep pace with the growing importance of our position.