RIVERTON.

Southland Times, Issue 1519, 5 January 1872, Page 2

RIVERTON.

» (from a cobeespondent.) We had a capital regatta here on Boxing Day, got up by Messrs Mills, Longford, Tall, and Murchie. The weather was exceedingly pleasant, the only com plaint being that there was too little wind for the purposes of the day's sports. The first race was a sailing match, for which seven fine-looking boats came up to the starting-point, the most noticeable among: them being Mr Longford's " Breeze," cutter-rigged, which is a fresh boat on the Riverton waters, and one that is not a favorite with the betting portion of the community. A first-rate start was effected, and the " Breeze" made good running, the wind just suiting her. Had it been a little stronger, she would have had some difficulty in beating Mr Murchie's " Orwell," and even the old •' Endeavor" or " .Success" would have given her a close run for the first prize. As it was, the race resulted as follows : — Breeze, Ist prize ... ... £5 Orwell, 2nd do £3 10a Endeavor, 3rd do ... ... £1 10s The next event was a Sculling Race, for which there were three entries. This was rather a one-sided match, the general impression beiog that if C. Port, who handled the " Laughing Water," had been in the " Martha," it would have put a different aspect on the race. Mr Simpson's Sanspareil ... ... 1 Mr Murchie's LaughiDg Water ... 2 Mr Lee's Martha ... ... ... 3 The Pair-oared Race followed, and brought forward four competitors. It was well contested, the winners being — Mr Crow's Alice ... ... ... 1 Mr Lfle's Martha ... ... ... 2 As the hour was late, the remainder of the proposed races — comprising a firstclass sailing match and several rowing matches — were postponed until the 11th iust. I hope the day will be fine, with a good breeze, so as to test the qualities of each of the boats more thoroughly, and give those who were whistling for more wind on Boxing Day a chance to put in a few reefs. Our annual games came off as usual on New Year's Day. Although the suu shone brightly, the high wind blowing made it very unpleasant for ladies especially. The attendance was less numerous than on any previous year, and this I attribute to the fact of the Invercargill games being held on the same day. Something ought to be done to prevent this in future, as I believe it would be the means of introducing some fresh blood to compete at our sports. As things are now, we have no competition, there being only a few who take the prizes every year. It would also be an improvement to have the affairs of the Society a little better managed. Why not have a proper Secretary, and pay him fop his trouble ? It would be infinitely better than having the work done badly, and I believe gratuitously. Had it not been for the exertions put forward by Mr Menzies, there would have been a very smaJJ* amount of funds in hand this year. J^m sorry he did iiot Compete for more prizes in the dancing, as v there was not VoQan on the ground, and few'in the district, who could beat him. M* Me-iziea deserves great praise for the manniar in which he assisted at the games. I ''am sorry to say that three accidents of a rather serious nature occurred to competitors during the day. One had hiß arm broken, another got his under lip severely cut, and the third was caused by a door being blown off one of the tents, and coming in contact with a man's face, cutting it severely. In conclusion, I hope our Secretary will let us have a list of prizes, &c. t this year.