WANGANUI.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2808, 13 February 1878, Page 2

WANGANUI.

Tuesday.

For the regatta to-day the weather was in everyway suitable for outdoor enjoyment. rfhe river was as smooth as a mill-pond, and the sun tempered with clouds. A large crowd assembled on the banks. An excursion train ran from Marton, and was well patronised. The p.s. Manawatu, with the Wellington excursionists, missed the tide atid will not be able to get off before two o'clock. The first race was a maiden, two miles, for £10, and only two boats started. The Wanganui Rowing Club's Water Lily, Turner (bow), Nation, Miller, Montgomery (stroke); and the Union Club's Maiden, Bates (bow), Capstick, Connell, Leydon (stroke). They started and kept together for half-a-mile, shooting under the railway bridge with the Maiden leading a quarter of a length, and about one hundred yards this side of the bridge the long stroke of the Water Lily crew began to tell, and they gradually forged ahead. When in sight from the grand stand the Water Lily was leading by four lengths, and the maiden crew slogging away behind with a quick stroke, but they could not lessen tho distance, and the Water Lily won by thirty yards. Champion Pair-oared liace, 2 miles; £20.—Wellington Club's Roman Fall (Woods and McGrath), Ist; Wellington Club's Dolly Varden (Walker and Heam), 2nd. It had the semblance of a race; but, as both boats hare an Interest in the i

same club, thero was no excitomont, Ilomnn Fall winning easily. Champion Sculls, 2 miles; £20.— W. Heam (Wellington), Ist; W. J. Taylor, 2nd; H.Floyd, 3rd; J. Wntker and F. Holdich nowhere. This race proved a gift for Hearn, for, pulling in splendid style, he spurted in a winner by fire lengths. Taylor pushed him hard for the quarter part of the distance. The rest had no chance.

Champion Whaleboat Itace, 4 miles; £35.—Union Club's Danger, James (bow), Clansey, Brough, McDonougb, Spurdle (stroke), first; t'. Buck's Cutty Bark, Shaw (bow), Beachamp, Carlisle, Mitchell, Dransfield (stroke), second. The Wellington Dolly Varden crew pulled the Welson boat Shamrock, but not being up to time for starting the others were sent away, the Shamrock joined 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 took them inside a post marking off the sand bunk. 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 as 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 a greater success is anticipated next day, when a keen contest is expected between the two Canterbury crews and tho Wellington crew for the champion outrigged race. Senior ibur-oared inrigged gigs; 3 miles, £50 and £s:—Wellington Club's Transit, ilearu, McGrath, Walker, Woods (stroke), first; Union Club's Maiden, Spurdle, McDonough, Brough, Clansey (stroke), second; Wanganui Club's Water Lily, Powell* Duncan, Holdish, Wheeler (stroke), third ; Canterbury's Club's Canterbury, Fooks, Martin, Ollivier, Lanauze (stroke), fourth. The race was won by four lengths easily. It was a hard fought race for second honors between the two local clubs, as the Canterbury crew were beaten off. The Wellington excursionists arrived in time to see the last race. It is estimated that between three and four thousand people were on the river bank during the races.

The following are the entries for tomorrow's events : —District Race, £20— two miles: Union Club's Transit and Maiden, and Wanganui Club's Water Lily. Champion Fours, £150 —four miles: Wellington Club's Dolly Varden, Canterbury Club's boat, and Christchurch Club's boat. Volunteer Race, £35—four miles; whaleboats : Wanganui Rifle's Danger, Wellington Fire Brigade's Shamrock, Bush's (Wanganui) Cutty Sark, and Elvira. Ladies' Plate, £30 —three miles: Canterbury's boat, Canterbury Rowing Club's boat, Wanganui Rowing Club's Tiger Lily and Zed Camellia, and Wellington Ciub's Dolly Varden..

This day. Lyttloton Wins the Champion.

The Champion Four-oared Outrigger Race was won by the Lyttelton boat, Dolly Varden three lengths behind, and the Christchurch boat ten lengths. It was a splendid race.