NELSON.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2507, 18 January 1877, Page 2

NELSON.

Wednesday. The later-Provincial Regatta.

The Champion Foub-Oabed Inbigged Race, three miles, straight course. First prize, £50, and silver cup presented by Commodore Cross; second, . £10. Transit (Wellington) 1 Waimea (Nelson-) 2 Torea (Auckland) ... 3 Eclipse (Wellington) ... ... ... 0 Gazelle (Greymouth) ... 0 The Waimea shortly after the start went to the front, and kept the lead for a mile. The stroke twice missed his water* owing to some recent alterations in the seat, and the Transit then passed her, and at the Queen's wharf was nearly two lengths ahead, which she gradually in* creased to four at the winning post. The Torea was a bad third. Time, 19 mins. The pulling of the Transit's crew was much admired. The yachts started at noon, but the wind was very light. There were three boats, the Secret (Auckland) and the Gannet and Claymore (Nelson). They are now about seven miles out, the Secret carrying a good lead. Wednesday, 8.30 p.m. Junior Fotje-oar Gig Race. — First prize, £15 ; second, £5 ; two miles. Eclipse (Port Nicholson Rowing Club) 1 Waimea (Nelson) ... 2 Transit (Wellington Rowing Club) ... 3 Waimea and Eclipse went neck and neck for the first half mile, when the latter gradually drew ahead and eventually won by four lengths. Toiunteeb Whaleboat Race.— First prize, £12 ; second, £3 ; three miles. No crew could be got to face Danger, although there were four entries, but at last one came forward to make a race, which of course was won by Danger. In the yacht race, Secret, on completing half the distance, was ten minutes ahead of Gannet, to which she had to allow 15 minutes, but on crossing the bar she grounded, and was passed by Gannet, which was half a mile ahead of her before she got off, the Claymore being about the same distance in her rear. The race is not yet over, but it is scarcely likely the Secret will gain her lost ground. The outrigger race takes place at noon to-morrow. There was a fight on the wharf between Drake, a bookmaker, and Taylor, a boatbuilder, when both were taken in charge and locked up. This day. It is accepted as a foregone conclusion that Dolly Yardea must mn the Champion race, and, bar accidents, there can be little doubt of it. It is also thought the Wellington Sowing Club will win the whole four races they have entered for. When the Star Club found yesterday they were out of the race they eased off,' reserving themselves for to-day. There is little or no betting, though a lot of betting men are here. No one, however, will bet against Dolly, except at immense odds. One Wellington man had to give five to one on Dolly against the whole field, and then could only get a pound on. The champion race is to be rowed at noon sharp. The winning place is about two miles from town. .Some of the crews, are sore after yesterday's exertions, l)ut Dolly's crew are sound and well. 12.25.

About eleven o'clock a breeze sprang up, which, with the tide, makes a very lumpy water, and it... is doubtful now if the race will come off to-day. There is some hope that with the turn of the tide the sea may go down, but it will not be i known for another hour whether the race will be run to-day or not. If rowed now, the only boats that would have a chance would be the Thames and perhaps the Ilyssus, but the Nelson boat and the Dolly Varden would hardly live, and many of the rowers think it; would be rash ia the extreme to attempt to row the race. Yesterday the water was like glass, and the race would have come off then but Captain Cross postponed it to give excursionists per Ringarooma an opportunity of seeing it. The Committee have decided not to start the Champion race before 2.30, if then, and not unless the six boats are prepared to go. The original" idea was to start at full tide, and the Stella and another crew who occupied outside places objected to go unless the tide was full, because they would otherwise be in a disadvantageous position. The Thames boat would row the race now, and the Stella would be prepared to risk it, but the, other four agreed pot to row while the water's so rough. There is a chance that in two hours' time the race may be rowed, but there are many chances against its being rowed till tomorrow, chiefly because at the mjU there

is not water enough to accommodate the boats. There is great dissatisfaction amongst boating men and others at Cross preventing the race coming off yesterday, solely, they say, to gratify Capt. McLean. The day is lovely, but there are not so many people from Wellington as last year. There is a sad want of organization amongst the committee, one, saying one thing, and others conveying an entirely different idea. There seems to be no finality in any arrangement, and confusion is the consequence. The wateris getting smooth. Volunteer Cadet Race. — Whaleboats, five oars ; three starred. A capital race all through, the boys rowing a capital stroke, and well sustained during the two miles. Echo (Wellington) came in first by over a length; Cutty Sark (Nelson) being half a length ahbad of Thistle, also of Nelson. The water is getting smooth and the outriggers are ordered out.