COLONIAL REGATTA.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 557, 13 February 1878, Page 2

COLONIAL REGATTA.

[ PEK PRESS AGENCY. ] Wangaxtji, February 12. The weather to-day was every way suitable for out-door enjoyment. The river smooth as a mill pond, and the sun tempered with clouds. A large crowd assembled on the banks of the river, and the excursion trains from Marton wore well patronised. Maiden Plate. Two miles. L2O. Wanganui Rowing Club's Water Lily... 1 Union Club's Maiden 2 Only two boats started—the Wanganui Rowing Club's Water Lily, and the Union Club's Maiden. The boats kept together for half a mile, shooting the railway bridge with the Maiden leading a quarter of a length. About a hundred yards this side of the bridge, the long stroke of the Water Lily began to tell, and she gradually forged ahead. When in sight from the grand stand, the Water Lily was leading by four lengths, the Maiden's crew slogging away behind with a quick stroke, but unable to lessen the distance, the Water Lily winning by 30 yards. Champion Pair-oar Race. Two miles. L2O. Wellington Club's Roman Fall ... 1 Wellington Club's Dolly Varden ... 2

A semblance of a race was made, but as both boats were in the interest of the same Club, no excitement was caused, the Roman Fall winning easily. Senior Four Inrigged Gigs' Race. Three miles. LSO and L 5. Wellington Club's Transit 1 Union Club's Maiden 2 Wanganui Club's Water Lily 3 Canterbury Club's Canterbury ... 4 Won by four lengths easily. There was a hard-fought race for second honours between the two local Clubs, the Canterbury crew being beaten off. Wanganui Champion Sculls. Two miles. L2O. W. Hearn (Wellington) 1 W. T. Taylor 2 H. Flock 3 J. Walker 0 F. Houldick , ..-, .-, 0 This race proved a gift for Hearn, for, pulling in splendid style, he spurted in a winner by five lengths. Taylor pushed him hard for the greater part of the distance. The rest had no chance. Champion Whaleboat Race. Four miles. L 36. Union Club's Danger ... ... ... 1 T. Bushe's Cutty Sark 2 The Wellington Dolly Yarden crew pulled in the Nelson boat Shamrock, joining in the race when the boats passed their shed, and came in second in the race The Lyttelton crew pulled a locally built boat called the Elvira, and led for the first mile, pulling a splendid stroke, but their steerer tonk took them inside a post marking off a sandbank. The crew turned back and started again, but lost so much ground as to spoil their chance. The winning crew all belong to Wanganui, and pulled a good steady stroke throughout, being steered straight as possible. Great disappointment was felt at the mishap to the Elvira, as her chance was thought by far the best. The whole day's sport was most successful, and even gpeater sugpess js. anticipated next day, when a keen contest is expected between the Canterbury crew and the Wellington for the Champion Out-rigged Race. It is estimated that between three and four thousand people were on the river bank during the races,