AUCKLAND.

Thames Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 3439, 2 January 1880, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

„ This day.. Excursion of the Xtotomahana.^

, The Great Barrier Harbor was visited by the Union Co's steamship Rotomahana with excursionists yesterday.. The harbour is picturesque with Jinlets

with from serenteen to twenty fathoms in the channels free from danger, except a sunken rock, which lies about the centre of the narrowest of two entrances to Port Fitzroy. The rock is marked on tb| chart though not buoyed and is weir known to the pilot, who was in charge,of .the Steamer's course. It was thought She steamer was quite clear of i% but it struck the' side of the vessel, which slightly heeled over and then passed'clear so quickly that very little alarm was felt among the excursionists, and the return trip to town was thoroughly enjoyed. A careful examination this morning shewed the steamer had sustained no damage whatever. She left for the South at halfpast eight". Sir George Grey. 'p-Thj^' report that Sif^George Grey i<| goinjf to England is authoritatively denied. ' A boat, which was being towed astern, of the Hero from Motutapu, was capsizedp and the sportsmen' and a quantity of game in her, were thrown into the sea. 'The men were all rescued, ■ but the game, guns, and a gold watch were lost. The Races. Second Day.—Great' Success^; The second day's races was the largest Jtneeting for years. The Governor was 4 'present, and was cheered on his arriving on the course. Deeby -Stakes. Walters' Libeller 1 Warmsley's Maid of Athol 2 Time, 2min. 51sec, | PUBMGAN'S PtTBBE. Marltana . > 1 1 Walters' Billingsgate ... 2 Omega 3 Time, lmin. 50sec. Selling Race. Walters'Piscatorius ... ... ... 1 Lennard's Kennilworth 2 Sinking Fund 3 Time 2min. 6£sec. The Racikg Club Handicap. Lara,6st 6lb ... ... ...* ... 1 Hippocampus, 7at 71b ... 2 Laertes, 6st 21b... .„ ... ... 3

Ten horses ran, and it was one of the fastest races ever run in this colony. Time, 3min. lOasec. Hack Hubj>le Back was won by Brown's Nettle. Gband Stand Handicap was a dead heat between Lara, 6st 71b, and Balmoral, 6st 51b ; Billingsgate, 7s#£lb, 3rd. § Time, 2min. 13fsee. Balmoral declined to .run it off. Lara cantered over the course by himself. ?