AUCKLAND'S ANNUAL REGATTA

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 240, 4 February 1888, Page 1

AUCKLAND'S ANNUAL REGATTA-

Flagship : New Zealand Company's Waitangi. Patron : A. Devore, Esq., Mayor of Auckland. Vice-patrons: W. It, Waddel, Esq., Chairman of the Auckland Ilarbour Board ; K. Mitchelson, Esq., M.H.R., Minister of Public Works. President: D. H. McKenzie, Esq. Vice-Presi-dent: G-. S. Kissling, Esq. Committee : Mr T. Henderson, Captain Nearing, Captain Fisher, Mr O. C. Dacro, Mr H. Parker, Mr G. Cozens, Mr D. Oxley, Mr A. Buchanan, Mr. D Miller, Mr R. Reynolds, Mr C. Bailey, Mr C. Webb, Mr J. B. Morpeth, Mr J. Haultain, Mr C. F. James. Umpire: Mr D. Oxley. Judge of sailing races : Mr H. Parker. Judge of rowing races : Captain Fisher. Measurer: Mr C. Baile/. starter : Captain Nearing. Handicapper : Mr H. Parker. Treasurer: Mr George Cozens. Hon. Secretary : Charles C. Dacre.

The Auckland Annual Regatta is an institution essentially linked with the history of this province, and it is deserving of a prominence above all other sports or •amusements provided on our Anniversary Day. There are always some "croakers" \ tp be found, and for the past few years the | " croakers " prophesied failure for our regatta ; but these were false prophets, and year after year success has followed success. There have b«en great changes in the character of our regatta, It is true, but they are only such as might have been anticipated. Owing to the frequent alteration in the ■class of vessels belonging to our port, events which formerly held the premier position on the programme have been allowed to drop out ; but they have been replaced by others of equal or greater interest, and so we advance with the times. Forty-eight years ago the city of Auckland was founded on the banks of the WaiteTOata, by Captain Hobson, E.N., the first Governor of New Zealand, and just thirtyeight years ago the Auckland Annual .Regatta was inaugurated in honour of that, event. Looking over the programme of the first regatta, and comparing it with the programme of to-day, one cannot help being atruck with tliewonderfui changes that have come over our port. ' The amount of prize money given at the first regatta 18 not recorded, bub at the following anniversary festival about £100 was distributed. The first programme included races for decked 'boats under 25 tons, whaleboats (and they were not "jraeing" whaloboats by any

means), sailing boats under 4 tons, fouroared gigs, watermen's boats, dingies, Maori canoes, duck and drakerace. That provided a day's sport which quite upset the little capital, and everybody and his wife put their shutters up and went to see the fun. The flagship on that occasion was one of Her Majesty's ships, and in honour of the occasion she fired a royal salute. The spectators assembled at Fort Britomart, Smole's Point, and other elevations along* the shore, which have since disappeared, and from all account* before us the Regatta appears to have been an unqualified success. Year by year since then the Regatta has increased in importance, and the programme of events has undergone a complete metamorphosis. The Maori war canoe race was originally the principal event at the annual Regatta, and this in time gave place to the champion schooner race. The interest and excitement which was attached to the latter contest for many years will be fresh in the recollection of most of our readers, and now it has given place to the champion whaleboat race. The schooner race " died hard," and repeated efforts have been made to resuscitate it, but without success. The large cutter race appears to be in a bad way also, the demand for these vessels which hitherto existed having been taken over by coastal steamers, and hence their gradual disappearance from our annual contests.' This year the Regatta Club arranged * programme of sixteen events, and they offered a total of £532 in cash prizes besides trophies. The schooner race fell through and £100 was thus saved, and this was increased by the large trading cutters failing to provide the necessary entries to ensure a contest. The race for merchant vessels' gigs also collapsed, and the total saving in this respect was £185, leaving a liability of £347 to be met by ordinary revenue. The Regatta Committee now in office include a great many very energetic members, and they deserve the highest praise for the measure of success achieved, notwithstanding very many drawbacks. Hitherto the Committee ( were content to confine their canvass for subscription to the city, and the large storekeepers andwholesalemerchants werealmostthBsole subscribers. Now it has been found necessary to go further afield, and the suburbs were called upon to contribute their quota towards the funds. Thedulness of trade made the work of the collectors a difficult and unpleasant undertaking, but it is estimated that in a financial respect the regatta of 1888 will not be behind any of its predecessors. The morning broke with very unsettled weather, and at the time of starting the first race heavy rain fell, and things generally looked very unpleasant. Later on, however, the weather improved somewhat, but continued unsettled. A south - westerly wind was blowing freshly, and there was a prospect of fair contests in the sailing races. The fine ship Waitangi, Captain Leeman, was flagship, and a more suitable vessel could nofc have been desired. She waa, however, not very liberally patronised during the earlier part of the day, the majority of spectators congregating on the end of Queensfcreet Wharf. The Artillery Band were on board of the flagship and discoursed appropriate music at intervals, and at midday Mr T. McEwen provided luncheon in his usual liberal style.

FIRST RACE. TRADING VESSELS, 50 tons and upwards ; any rig excepting cutters, This event fell through from lack of competition.

SECOND RACE. TRADING CUTTERS, 25 tons and upwarda. — No entries.

THIRD RACE. COASTING VESSELS, any riff, 12 tons and under 25, and which have not been b...lfc for Yachts. First prize, £30, provide! lliore are five bonajide starters; if four starters, £25, and for three, £20 and Cup presented by Messrs. Morrin & Co. ; Second Prize, £10 and Trophy presented by Mr. Kelsey ; Third Prize, £5. Course.— From Flagship thence round Red and Wnite Chequered Buoy in Rangitoto Channel, thence round Drunken Bay Buoy, thence round hulk •• Clara Hargreaves " off Judge's Bay. thence round Mark Boat off Sugar Works : twice round. The schooner race and large cutte race having fallen through for lack of competitors, this was the first event of the day. Five cutters faced the starter shortly after 9.30 a.m.— the programme time— the Janet being next Queen-street Wharf, Henry next, to the northward, and the Lily, Jane and Antelope between her and the flagship in the order given. The race was reckoned to be a trial of speed between the Henry, Gannet andLily, these being welMcnown "spoolers," having a history in connection with former regattas, and the Jane was recognised as a now version of the old cutter Bessie. The Antelope, and Jane were expected to tight out the finish for last place, and the Henry to furni3h the winner. A good start was effected, with hoad«sails down. Ordinary canvas was promptly clapped on all five, and with the exception of the Jane all gob away well together. The Jane, unfortunately, carried away her throat halyards* This delayed her for about five minutes, and she consequently b tar ted at a disadvantage. The other four did not have much alteration in their relativepositionswhiloofftheNorthShore Wharf when the Gannet was seen to be first with a slight lead of the Henry and Lily, which were in company with the latter to windward. The Jane gained on the Antelope on the run down the harbour, and the North Head was rounded in the following order: Gannet, ,l; Lily, 2; Henry, 3; Jane, 4 ; Antelope, last. On the run to the chequered buoy round Drunken Bay and thence to the northern point of Brown's I Island, the Lily . displayed - her sailing powers and when all five boats made their appearance round the North Head she was aeen to have a good lead, with the Henry second, Ganneb or Jane third, and Antelope last. The first four Went about' off the southern, corner-of brown's Island, 1 , irhilo what was taken to be the Ante-

lop© was about two miles astern. Tne Lily, Henry, Gannet, and Jane lay close up to the wind while off the Devonport Wharf, when the Lilly went about and passed ahead of the Henry. The latter followed suit, the Gannet and Jane not being far behindhand, and several short boards were made to reach the Clara Hargreaves, the wind coming out almost southerly. The Gannet gradually improved position and was the first to round the Clara Hargreaves, the Lily being second, Henry third, Jane fourth, and Antelope a very long distance astern of all. The contest then appeared to be between the Gannet and Lily, but the Henry was by no means out of it, and did her level best to pick up lost ground. The flagship was passed for the first time as follows :—: — Gannet, 12hrs. 22min. ; Lily, 12hrs, 25min. 30sec. ; Henry, 12hrs. 28min. 3Qsec. ; Jane, 12hrs. 33min. The Sugar Works buoy was rounded in the same order, and no material alteration in the relative positions of the cutters had taken place when they passed the flagship to go over the course for the second time. The North Head was rounded : Gannet, 1 ; Lily,- 2 ; Henry, 3. When we went to press the positions were : Gannet, 1 ; Lilly, 2 ; Henry, 3. Result : Gannet {W. Spencer), 17 tons 1

FOURTH RACE. YACHTS, 6 tons and upwards, Handicap. First Prize, £20 and Cup presented by Gabriel Lewis ; Second Prize, £5.

Course— From Flagship round Mark Boat off Lake Takapuna, thence round hulk "Clara Haw-eaves," thence round Mark Boat off Sugar Works ; Twice round. The four entries for this race all started. The Arawa had the inside position next the flagship with the Wenona next, the Matangi on the outside and the Spray between. A meeting of the committee was held on the flagship, and it was decided that the handicaps for the yachts should be delivered to them on board before they started. The handicap was as follows : Matangi, scratch ; Arawa, 8 minutes ; Wenona, 20 minutes ; Spray, 30 minutes. Captain Nearing, on the solicitation of the starter, decided that they should be sent off to a flying start. The Arawa was sailed by L. Bloomfield, the Wenona by Dr. Humphries Haines, the Matangi by J. Carlow, and the Spray by Mr Gibbs. After a great deal of manoeuvring, which, though very pretty, had the effect of considerably delaying the race. The four yachts crossed tho line together about a quarter of an hour after the advertised time, but being all out ot position had to return. The Spray was the principal cause of the delay, being unable to get into position. All the yachts sported mainsail, jib and staysail, with topsails up, but the Spray had a reef in tho mainsail. At 25 minutes to 11 Captain Nearing despatched them, the Spray occupying the position of the Wenona The Wenona had her spinnaker up first and was at once followed by the Matangi the Spray next and the Arawa last. The Arawa took the lead from a splendid start, being but a little ahead of the others, who were in an almost straight lino. All the yachts were carrying as much sail as was comfortable, and presented a veiy Eretty sight as close together they ran efore the fresh breeze. The Matangi's spinnaker would not set at first, but was soon got into position, and the large yacht stood up grandly. Considerable difficulty was experienced on board the Spray with the spinnaker, and after sailing for a quarter of an hour the boom suddenly snapped, but was almost at once run up to the mast head and boomed out again, the small hooker not having lost anything by the accident, and maintaining a position to windward and next to the Arawa, which was leading. As the yachts passed the North Shore wharf the Wonona found her spinnaker too much for her and it was taken in, and she crossed the Spray's bows and took up a position to windward ot the Arawa. A fierce squall swept down on the yachts, and following the Wenonas example the spinnaker of the Spray was taken in. Passing the Sandspib buoy the Arawa had a fair lead, the Wenona next, with the Matangi close up third and standing up splendidly, the Spray being last. As the yachts paid away and made for the North Head, the Matangi overhauled the Wenona. '•Jibe Oh!" and the Arawa was the first to obey the summons, very smartly answering, and the great boom swung over and hauling on her wind the spooler streaked up Rangitoto Channel for the mark-boat off Lake Takapuna with a fresh leading wind, rapidly followed by the Matangi, Wenona and Spray in order. At five minutes past twelve the large yachts put in an appearance round the North Head. The Arawa was leading the Matangi by about thirty yards, and a considerable distance to windward. The Spray came next not far behind, while the Wenona was a considerable distance behind her. On the board across the Matangi gained slightly on the Arawa, but the latter having the windward position on being caught at once went about and headed well up the harbour, making as to weather the flagship. The Matangi went about two minutes after the Arawa, and was followed by the Spray, and some time after by the Wenona. The Matangi made up the harbour and then put in a board into Paul's Bay and stood up to weather the Clara Hargreaves. The Arawa had to make board past the Bastion, but in her previous board the Matangi had gained on her and her. The yacht taken for the Spray in the distance proved to be the Maritana, keeping the Arawa company. When the Matangi was weathering the Clara Hargreaves, the Spray was seen beating across from the North Head a quarter of an hour behind, and a considerable distance behind the Wenona, which was third. ( The Matangi passed the Clara Hargreaves at 25 minutes tt 1, the Arawa being a gobd way behind." Five minutes af fcer the Matangij tha Arawa passed the hulk away up to , windward, The Arawa must have had an accident as she foil so much behind in tho first two board but. now being well, to ' windward on passing the hulk, sh© ! rapidly gained. With a spanking breezy tho Maiarifci'dairie up ftfie harbour ' with, all sail sot rather to leeward of the Arawn, bufc

leading her by 2\ minutes, tho Arawa having gained that much on her, and m this ordoi* they passed the flagship the Wen ona next* , 3$ minutes behind the Arawa. When past the flagship the Matangi had to make a board to tho westward of bhe Queen -street Wharf. "Lee Oh," and the Matangi went about fifty yards ahead of the Arawaandslightly towindward. The Arawa continued to gain on l^er. Up the harbour off Freeman's Bay the Matangi miantained her lead but oould not gain on the Arawa. The Wononawasgraduallygoing to leeward. The Arawa was bettering her position to windward but the Matangi was leading by about twenty seconds as they neared the buoy off the Sugar Works. Just as the yachts were turning the buoy the Spray passed the flagship 16J minutes behind the Matangi. The Matangi led the Arawa round the buoy off the Sugar Works by about 2minutes2o seconds. Once round the Matangi hoisted her jib topsail and put out her watersail and the Arawa her balloon jib. The Arawa held windward position. On approaching the flagship the Matangi ran her spinnaker up, while tho Arawa took on her balloon jib and set her spinnaker also. The Matangi looked splendid as she passed the flagship to leeward with mainsail, jib staysail, jib topsail, watersail, and spinnaker set, 2min, 58sec. in front of tho Arawa. Just as the Arawa was passing the flagship, the Wenona jibed round the mark boat off tho Sugar Works, while the Spray was beating up, almost hopelessly out of the race.

Result : Matangi (A. Stone), 13 tons 1 Arawa (J. L. R. Bloomfield), 7g tons ... 2

FIFTH RACE. FISHING BOATS, over 4 tons. First Prize, £15 and Cup presented by Mr. Levinsohn ; Second Prize, £7. Coursk — From Flagship round Chequered Buoy in Rangitoto Channel, thenco round Drunken Bay Buoy, thence round hulk "Clara Hargreaves off Judge's Bay, thence round Mark Boat off Sugar Works, thence round hulk " Clara Hargreavos," thence round Mark Boat off Sugar Works, and finish at Flagship. All five of the entries came to the starting post, as usual about half an hour late, and were moored on the south side of the flagship. Jane' to windward, May next, and Caprara, Foam, Christina, in theorder given to leeward. — The gun fired at 11 o'clock instead of 10.30 a.m. and the yachts got ununderweigh promptly. Headsails were run up without mishap and the Foam at once wont to the front, having been put under canvas very smartly. The Christina's gaff-topsail did not set for a few minutes and she dropped into the second place, with the Caprara, May and Jane in the order mentioned. The Christina having run up her spinnaker overhauled the Foam before Victoria Wharf had been reached, and the Caprara having followed but succeeded in keeping ahead of the May. The Jane maintained her signal position namely the rear under ordinary canvas, whilst the other profited by the addition of both spinnaker and water-sails. Off the North Head the Foam took the inside running and when she disappeared sheappeared to have a better position than the Christina, which was to leeward and close up, The Caprara and May were in close company and the Jane last. From this point they went went round the chequered buoy in .Rangitoto Channel, round Drunken Bay buoy, without any great alteration in position, and then shaped a course for the Clara Hargreayes. The Christina carried away her mast in Rangitoto Channel, and was towed back to port, when she had an excellent chance of winning, and on the return journey the May assumed a commanding lead. The flagship was passed for the first time:—e :—:—: — May, 1 ; Foam, 2 ; Jane, 3 ; Caprera, 4. The May was fully five minutes ahead of the Foam. There was a short distance between the Foam and Jane, and the Caparera was a long distance astern. The May from this out had the race all her own way, and at 3 p.m. the positions were : May, 1 ; Foam, 2 ; Jane, 3.

Result; : May (D. Holland), 7i tons 1 Foam (E. Quinne), 6£ tons 2 Jane (F. Holland), 5 tons 3

SIXTH RACE. YACHTS, tfhder 6 tons. First Prize, £10 and Oup presented by Messrs. P. Hayman & Co. ; Second Prize, £5. Course— From Flagship round Chequered Buoy in Rangitoto Channel, thence round hulk " Clara Hargreaves," thence round Mark Boat off Sugar Works; twice round. As so much time had been lost over the flying start in the last yacht race, and it was the general wish of the competitors, the small yachts in this race came to an anchor, with head sails down and mainsail up. They all occupied their correct positions, with the Manola nearest the flagship. Even when the yachts were in position and ready to start there was considerable delay in starting them — why, no one seemed to know. It was twenty minutes after the time before they were despatched. When the gun was fired the Manola was away first getting a splendid start. The Jessie Logan up to windward sported her topsail first and was away first, but the Ariel by smart work took the second place and set off after the Manola which was about 200 yards to the good. < The Jessie Logan went to windward of H.M.s. Opal, and as the yachts passed H.M.s. Swinger was last but away up to windward. The Manola was leading on the run down and the Iris next, with tier topsail hoisted, Ariel next having run up both her spinnaker and | topsail, while the Mascotte was next with her spinnaker flying. The Jessie following the lead of the others, hoisted her spinnaker also. The Manola was unable to keep her lead and by the time the yachts were off the. Sandspit buoy the others had all passed her. The,JessieLoj»ttn crossing the Mascotte's bow took the lead, the Ariel being next, and the Iris clpse up. The Manola now hoisted up and, set her topsail, while the -Iris passed the Ariel and the Jessie Logan crossed her bows and was overtaken by # the Iris, and ts the yachts- .passed out of sight behind the North Head the order was—Jessie Logan ,1, Iris 2 (close up), Ariel 3*^ Masco tte 4, and Mn^olA norn« m*tpnce behind. '

When the small yachtscame in sight again the Jessie Logan had secured a longlead from the others, the Manola second, Ariel third, Iri 3 fourth and Mascotte last. The Jessie made a board across into Kohimarama Bay and the others followed her lead. Beating up the harbour, making a bend into Kohimarama Bay and another into Paul's Bay, the yachts stood up for the Clara Hargreaves, and the Manola overhauled and passed the Jessie Logan and the Ariel. On weathering the Clara Hargreaves the Manola had a lead of a minute from the Jessie, and on passing she at once headed in shore in hopes of getting out of the tide. It was a fine race between the Manola and the Jessie Logan up the harbour. Now one would be ahead and then the other. Passing the flagship the Manola had the windward position and had taken down her topmast, while the Jessie Logan with topsail set had her bowsprit jusfc covering the mainsail of the Manola. Off the Queen -street wharf the topsail of the Jessie did her good service and she went ahead of the Manola, and when the latter got into the breeze again the Jessie Logan was leading her by a considerable distance. The Mascotte held third position away to windward of the Ariel. The Iris is right out of the race and having taken down her topsail seems only on pleasure bent. The Manola went to windward far better than the Jessie Logan, bub the latter jibed round the buoy at the Sugar Works first. On the run down, the Manola overhauled the Jessie. Passim* the flagship the Manola led the Jessie by about a dozen yards. The Manola carried a balloon jib, staysail and mainsail, while the Jessie had. clapped on mainsail, staysail, jib and spinnaker. Tho Ma&cotte was third about five minutes behind the Jessie. Oft the Sandepit the Jessie hauled on the Manola and passed her, and was a trifle ahead as they went out of sight behind the North Head on coming in view again, the vessel had increased her length, and on passing the lighthouse was two minutes to the eood of the Manola, which had slightly the best position to windward. Jessie went about, and the Manola continuing on, passed astern of her, and keeping on, stood into Kohimaramara Bay, and went about a quarter of a mile beyond the Jessie bub the latter held windward position on going about. At 3 p.m.. the positions were : Jessie Logan, 1 ; Manola, 2 ; Mascotte, 3.

Result : Jessie Logan (\V. Jones), 5$ toni ... 1 Manola {W. Holder), 4 tons , 2 Ariel (A. Buchanan), 4| tona 3

SEVENTH RACK FISHING BOATS, 4 tons and under. First Prize, £10 and Trophy presented by Mr H. Kohn ; Second Prize, £5 ;. Third Prize, £3. Course— Same as Sixth Race, The Shrimp was a posb entry for this, evenb, but did nob start. The other four got away evenly. The Italy took the lead ab the oubaetj closely followed by the Mignonetfcee, second, and the Britannia third and in this order they disappeared round the North Head. The Italy had the best of this event up till the time when we went to press, when she had a good lead of all competitors.

Result : Italy (J. Lomaz), 3£ tons 1 Mignonette (J. Gallagher) 3| tons ... 2

EIGHTH RACE. OPEN SAILING BOATS, 18 feet and under. First Prize, £6 and Cup j Second Prize, £2. Course— From Flagship round Red Buoy off Sundspit (North Shore), thence round "Clara . Hargreaves," thence round the Mark Boat off Sugar Works ; Twice round. There were only three starters for thisraco.and they took up their positions; Belle, . up to windward on the far iide from the flagship, the Beata to leeward next the* Watangi, and the Arrow between. Oft the gun going the Arrow got a splendid start, but the Beata was the smartest witk her sails and had her spinaker out before the Arrow had her mainsail properly set. The latter spoiled her lead by having a reef i» her mainsail, whbh was shaken out, but the Belle did not wait, and hoisting out the spinaker hauled on her, and rapidly left her behind, but when the Arrowhad got the reef shaken out, she held her own, and gained slightly on tho Belle, while the Beata was unable to gain oa her. The Belle was the first round the buoy at the Sandspit and was immediately followed by the Arrow and Beatft. The Belle now headed for Orakei, leading the Arrow by about fifty yards* the Beata being level with the latter, and both rapidly caught the Belle as they went across the harbonr. The Beata showed especial speed and left the Arrow behind, . and then passed the Belle. The Belle and Arrow kept together very well, while the Beata increased her lead considerably. The open sailing boats passed the hulk Clara Hargreaves very close together, the Beata leading with the Arrow next and the Belle last. This order was maintained up the harbour and when they passed the flagship there was but little difference between the Beata and Arrow, the former holding the windward position. The Arrow passed her to leeward off the> Queen-street Wharf. The Beata jibfed around the buoy two> minutes ahead of the Arrow and maintained the lead down the harbour, the order past the flagship being : Beata, 1 ; Arrow, 2 ; Belle, 3. The Belle was about, two minutes behind the Arrow. Tha Beata jibed round the buoy first ; tha : Arrqw followed hehr, and on the bend over into Orakei Bay caught and passed her, the Beata being a long way behind. At 3 p.m. the positions were :— Arrow, 1 ; Beata, 2 ; Belle, 3..

Result: Bellb (W. Ridings) ... ... «. Jk : Arrow (H. Kwaling) t,. 2 Bmta (C. Bailoy Jan.) ... £