THE REGATTA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 369, 1 July 1874, Page 4

THE REGATTA.

The Otago Regatta, so long delayed, at last came off at the Port on the 29th. The weather, which early in the morning wav unpromising and squally, cleared up towards mid-day, and the S. W. wind gradually subsiding int" a calm gave the light sailing boats a material advantage, and was very favorable for the rowing matches. The number of entries was very small— Dunedin being represented by only two or three crews — but the sport was keen, and the different events were not wpn without in most cases a severe struggle and a deal of manoeuvring Had more boats from Dunedin entered no doubt the interest would .have been greater ; but the Union, Formosa, and other crack gigs were precluded from competing by a variety of causes. The following are tbe results complete at the time we went to press .— >

Fibst Race— For Ship's Gigs. ; Accordingly, at noon the gun was again) fired, when the following boats came to the scratch : — William Davie, Phoebe, and James Nichd Fleming. After a good start, the "William Davie. took the lead, clostly followed by the Phoebe. ft was soon seen the race was between the William Davie and Phoebe, the James Nichol H'lemiag boat being too large to compete with the other boats 1 he tirst time rouod, the William Davie was a long way ahead, and maintained the lead to the finish, with the Phcebe second. Skcoki>_ Race. — For Whaleboats, pulled by Maoris. There were four entries : Shark, Maori Boy, Red Nose, and Harlequin. Course : From the flagship, turn round the Duke of b diuburgh, about six miles. The Shark was the favorite, aud went away with a slight lead, but the Maori Boy w.as close at her heels, and for the first time round very little advautage was gained by anyone. Harlequin then gave up, and left the race virtually to the Shark and Maori Boy. Odds .were offered on the Shark, but in the straight run home Maori Boy crawled to the nose of her antagonist, and kept that position until sear home. Here the Shark put on a magnificent spurt, but it was too late, and Maori Boy, steered by Peacock, won by a-half length. Shark, steered by Robertson, second. Third .Ra.ce— -Seine Fishing Boats. Three entries— Christina, Flirt, and Rose. A light air from the northward enabled the competitors, by dint of great manoeuvring to get away together. The course was only once round, birt the race was somewhat tedious, owing to the lightness of the breeze. The Flirt won. Fourth Race. — Four-oared Gigs. Three entries — Amateur, Rob »>oy, avd Pioneer. The Rob Roy sustained an accident before starting. The Pioneer was coming to the point of starting, and the Rob Roy was going in an oppose direction, aud went to go across the Pioneer's nose, but misjudged the distance, and the Dufltedin boat was hit on the quarter. However, she managed, after a slight delay, to come to the scratch. The A mateur caved in as soon as she started, and left the race between the Port ard Dunedin boats. Both went off with a rush, aud pulling a very quick stroke; but the Rob Roy was a good half length ahead at the start. This she maintained. After going once round, Rob Roy stopped, thinking the course was only once round. Pioneer fini-hed alone. Fifth Race. Boys' four-oared. Lily, Pioneer, and Rob Roy started. Rob Roy won after a very close race with the Lily. Captain Peacock kindly placed the Fleming at the disposal of the Regatta Committee, and a band kept the flagship particularly lively. Perhaps a little less of the big drum would have made the music all the sweeter.