AUCKLAND ANNIVERSARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5566, 30 January 1879, Page 2

AUCKLAND ANNIVERSARY.

(pee press agency.) Auckland, January 29.

To-day the Anniversary was observed as a general holiday. The regatta was a great success. There was a fine breeze for the sailing vessels. The schooner race round Tiri Tiri was a splendid sight ; eight vessels started. In starting the smaller boats went away with the lead, but when out in broken water the schooners Myrtle, Transit, Torea, and Albatross went tb the front and held leading positions. After an exciting race, in which the capabilities of the vessels w T ere thoroughly tested, they passed the flagship in the following order i—Transit, sh. 32m. 255e0., 1 ; Torea, sh. 35m. 25sec., 2 ; Adah, sh. 52m. 19sec., 3 ; Reward, 6h. 3m. 453ec., 4 ; Albatross, 6b. 4m. llseo., 5 ; Myrtle, 6h. sm. SOsec., 6. The Adah, being a very small vessel, will probably take the prize when time for tonage is allowed. The cutter race, round same course, first prize £35, was won by Harris's Fannie, beating the Sovereign of the Seas by two minutes, Bangatira third, and Lizzie fourth. Trading vessels, 25 tons and under : Wanderer,"•‘l ; Mary, 2. Seven started. Yachts, 6 to 15 tons ; first prize, £2O : Phccnix, 1 ; Sabrina, 2. Open Sailing Boats : Fifteen started for this race, but when rounding one of the buoys several collided, and two—the Siss and the Daisy —were sunk, and the Toy had her mainsail ripped, putting her out of the race. The race was won by Jones’ Alert, Volante second, and The Brothers third.

The Open Sailing Boat, under 20 tons, was won easily by Weymouth's Foam. This boat was brought miles overland from Kaipara to compete. There was very little interest taken in the rowing matches. The ships’ gig race was won by the crew of the Maravel, James Wishart second, and May Queen third. At the Tradesmen’s Athletic Sports the Champion Race was won easily by Bing.