PORT CHALMERS REGATTA.

New Zealand Tablet, 2 March 1877, Page 13

PORT CHALMERS REGATTA.

Thb aspect of Dunedin on a holiday is anything but exhilarating. Tne town wears a sort of spurious Sabbatarian air, which is most depressing. Princes-street appears desolate as a plot of gooseberry bushes at the close of the fruit season ; from Cargill's monument one would not be surprised to find that vinegar was flowing in lieu of the crystal tide proverbial for its non-inebriating qualities and the few individuals that are scattered here and there seem limp and dispirited. From such dismal quarters it id a relief to make good one's escape in any way, even though it be by means of an over crowded railway carriage, which is far from being the pleasantest method of conveyance, especially if the voyager be a male, and as he ought always to be, is the soul of chivalry and devotion to that tender blossom of the human race — the fair sex, and if, moreover, under such circumstances he is obliged to stand bolt upright m the centre of the vehicle with his back rudely turned to numerous and sundry of the gentle beings in question, and at the imminent risk of being precipitated full stamp on their toes at every lurch of the carriage, he knowing all the time in his inmost heart, that already the said pedal members must be in a sad state of corns owing to the prevailing fashion of high-heeled boots. To a gallant masculine creature situated thus, and who violently endeavors to maintain a painful rigidity of muscle that will enable him to keep firm on his feet in order that he may avoid the threatened catastrophe, and whose mind is therefore filled with distraction, it is but natural that atra-biliar suggestions should present themselves, and doleful imaginations become familiar as " household words." Most gladly, then, does such an one reach his destination, and the relief he experiences on issuing forth from confinement becomes magnified into positive delight if he happens to find himself placed in a beautiful locality, and amidst " gay and festive" surroundings. Candour obliges us to confess that on ordinary occasions Port Chalmers is not an unusually agreeable place in which to spend an idle hour; our experience, however, is limited to an aimless wandering to and fro whilst awaiting the arrival of certain steamers, and such an occupation is amongst the most unhappy that can well fall to the lot of mankind. It is in vain to counterfeit an interest in the unloading or loading of vessels ; in a few moments the affair has become monotonous, and one only looks on to become more weary. The wonders of the dry-dock are speedily exhausted, and the device of watching for fish in the water makes a man contemptible even in his own eyes. The beauties of nature fade to insignificance, and the signal-post obtains a power of attraction that renders it impossible to divert the eyes from it. But on the day of the regatta all was changed ; the heights of the harbor, with their verdant clothing of grass and foliage gained a fresh attraction from the colors that every vessel showed in abundance; gaily dressed spectators thronged the pier, and clustered on the ships, and scattered here and there were groups of people enlivening the hills and cliffs. Over the waters of the harbor yachts were speeding, their gleaming sails filled by the wind, while the foam was flying from their bows ; and vigorous oarsmen bending to their task drove their boats through the brine, displaying in strength and skill the effects of long and patient training. The strains of a band were heard from the flagship, and frequent cheers greeted the arrival of a successful crew. Life and merriment were encountered everywhere, and in the general rejoicing of the occasion nil evils were for the time forgotten. The events were twelve in number, and included various kinds of races — open boats and yachts, whaleboats, fishing boats, and gigs took part in them, and much interest attached to each contest. We append a list with with the names of the winning boats and their owners : Seine Fishing Boats' Sailing Race, for boats not exceeding 20 feet overall; distance, 4 milee. Ist prize, £10 ; 2nd, £5. Entrance, 10s. jMv. John Tunnage's Albatross ... ... ... ... 1 Second Class bona fide Whaleboat Race. Boats not exceeding 28 feet, four oars and steer oar; distance, 6 miles. Ist prize, £10; 2nd, ,£5. Entrance, 15s. Mr. M. Innes's Pet ... ... ... ... ... i Amateur Four-oared Inrig Gig Race ; distance, 2 miles. Prize, £5. Entrance, 20a.

O. R. Club's Isis... ... ... ... ... ... i Champion Sailing .Race, open to all, yachts included ; distance, 8 miles. Prize, £15. G. W. Mason's Royal Alfred ... ... ... ... i Ships' Four-oared Gig Race, for bona fide ships crews ; distance, 3 miles. Ist prize, £5j 2nd, £2 10a. Entrance, 10s. C. Stewart's Oaniaru ... ... ... ... ... 1 Boys' Four-oared Inrig Gig Race, for boys under 17 years of age ; distance, 2 miles. Ist prize, jE4; 2nd, £2. Union Club's Union ... ... ... ... ... i Second Clasa Open Boat Sailing Race; distance, 6 miles, lstpriae 48) 2nd, £4.

Landolf's Fidelity ... ... ... ! Champion Four-oar Inrig Gig Race j distance, 3 miles. Ist prize, Challenge Cup, presented by the New Zealand Shipping Company, with .£ls added; 2nd, £5. United Tradesmen's Young Colonist „. ... 1 Bona Fide Whaleboat Race, not more than 'six oars and steer oar : tit a ™'- 8 "^S?" lst prize ' £15 > 2nd ' £7 10a. Entrance, 20s. Mr. D. Ellison's Maori Girl ... „, 1 Four-oar Inrig Gig Race, for crews not entered for' Champion or Amateur fours ; distance, 2 miles, lst prize, .£5 : 2nd, £2 10s. Entrance, 10s. Mr. Turton's Isis „ i ... „, ... 1 Duck Hunt. Prize, £4. Inng Sculling Race, open to all; distance, 2 miles. Prize, £o. _, „ „ Entrance, ss. Mr. G. Green's Star ... ... ... x But one casualty occurred throughout the day ; it took place during the race contested by youths under 17. The water turned rough, and in consequence the gig Pioneer, while holding its own biavely with the Union, which afterwards became the winner was swamped ; but as its crew were promptly rescued by a boat from the Christian M'Ausland, no serious mishap ensued. A thoroughly enjoyable day was, on the whole spent, and the spectators returned, the greater part of them, to Dunedin, resolved that next year they would seek like enjoyment from the same source.