REGATTA NOTES.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 226, 10 January 1885, Page 3

REGATTA NOTES.

By Sparks. •

The Auckland Annual Regatta is drawing very near, and, so far, gives every promise of being a sucoess. The large yacht race will be a moral for the Muritai. Jones will have charge of his frigate, the " Masher," in the regatta, but I hardly think he will pass as an amateur. The JSTellie is the favourite in the largo cutter race, while the Mahurangi is considered the best in the race for smaller cutters. Farquhar's Dream Avon the open-boat race at the Te Kopuru regatta, Bailey's Ika being second, and Fernandez's Madge third. Waymouth's Mascotte was, as usual, at the other end of the contest. This year amateurs only are allowed to sail yachts. This new rule has, as yet, met with general disfavor, and several yacht owners have decided, in the event of the rule being enforced, not to enter their craft. The Regatta Club should look into the matter before it becomes too late. Frank Parrot is building a four-ton, yacht. She is of framed-carved build, and on a fine model. Although being built more for pleasure purposes than racing, she will possess a great amount of speed, and should give those of her own class work to beat her in the regatta. If the Regatta Club compel owners to admit amateurs aboard their yachts on Regatta Day, Tom Henderson will sail the Rita, Jones the Minx, Wiseman the Jessie Logan, and Cramond the Malua. I also expect to see Mr Street in charge of the Mauritai, and Bloomfield the Arawa. Fine sport ; eh ? The third-class open boat race will only draw a few competitors. The Ely is a certain starter; while Mr Forder intends sending his boat. The Vie, or Olivette, as she is now called, is also expected to be amongst the competitors. If the Ely has a good man aboard, she should appropriate the race. The Dream is my fancy at present for the second-class open sailing boat race. I also have a little regard n>r Messrs Stevenson and Melville's new craft. Matthews' newboat I don't like, though she might turn out a fast sailer. The Ika is the only other boat that Avill have a say in the race. As for the Mascotte and Laing's new boat, they can only bo considered third-raters. The schooners Welcome, Fanny Thornton, Cygnet, Fleotwing, and Three Cheers are at present in harbour, but whether they will remain till the 29th or not, I am not in a position to say. The Fanny Thornton and Welcome arrived a few days ago, so it is quite possible these two may be found amongst the competitors on Regatta Day. The former, it will bo remembered, was second to the Cygnet last yea-, and third to the Winifred, in the Regatta cf the preceding year, and, therefore, her chance, if she* starts, must be considered good. ~ . •. The whaleboat race, the principal contest on the programme, will be keenly contested, and an exceedingly large field is ' certain. Crews are expected from Canterbury, Wellington, Waitara, Thames, Northern Wairoa, .Bay of Islands, and Manukau. The former crew is considered strong, as also are the representatives of the Empire City, but H think it will take all the strength they caa produce to wipe out the Wairoa men. They are a first-class crew, and were the victors at the last annual regatta. They have also on. several other occasions carried off firsthonours at regattas. ':.,•'.