The strong south-east to south-south-east wind which began on Thucaday was still blowing on Saturday, and the tide was running ebb, at the time announced for the race over the down-river course, to Kajao Creek and back, a distance of 15 miles. Owing to the fears expressed by the sampan stake boat man that there would be too much sea for him off Black Point, he was allowed the option of anchoring off the Point House. Itis needless to say thut he chose the more convenient place for himself, and the course was therefore changed to down to the Point House and round the stakeboat, back round ARNS. Archer moured off the Bund, down river again, round the stakeboat, and back to the usual winning line'; fully 18 mites in all. Tt was asoldier's wind, and there was hardly any beating during the whole race, There were a good many landsmen—and not only landemen—who expressed surprise that the race should come off in what appeared from the shore to be such buisternus weather, in consideration of which the Lamb had her well securely housed over with canvas, leaving just a cockpit for the helmsman, " As a matter of fact, however, the race was one of the most enjoyable of the season, and it would be difficult to got a more petfeetyachtsman's day. The big boat and the little boat, the Alone and the Mascotte, stayed at home, and the race was left to the four 24-raters, the energy of the owner of the Violet having resulted in hee getting a new bowsprit fitted in time for the start. They were all closely refed down, and sailed on even terms, the start. ing line being crossed as unde!
Violet Lamb Spoondr h. B03, Princess. 2h. 62m. Os, In the lower reach the two leading boats worked over to windward towards the Pootung. shore, the other two kee the middle of the river in the strength the tide, but no important alteration in position took place, except that the Princess was gradually deepping behind, the wind being alittle too strong for her. "The Lamb was holding her own splendidly againat hor two powerful antagonists. The stakeboat was rounded the first time as under 3h. 23m, 45s, 3h, 23m, 54s, 24m, 458, 08s, The Violet held on a little towards the Pootung shore before coming about, while the Lamb and Spooutrift rounded at once, the result that the Lamb took the lead, and the Spoondrift gained w bit. The Spoondrift continued to draw up to the leaders until only a short distance separated the three bouts of Boyd's Dock. The Princess was some distance behind. The Violet and Lamb went on in company, but the Spoondrift dropped behind, and off Pootung Point she hauled down her racing flag and went to her moorings. Her rudders head had shown signs of twisting earlier in the race, and for some time it was only with great difficulty that she could be steered, even with the aid of the sheet, and she had one slight collision with a native boat. This spoiled her chance of winning the race which was quite a likely one.
Alter rounding Pootung Point it was a short beat round HLM.S. Archer. Opposite the Yuenfah the Vivlet's jib tack gave out, but it was smartly repaired, and she rounded the Archer a few seconds ahead of the Lamb. Tt was a pretty sight to see the two boats starting off on the second round, both looking and sailing remarkably well under their very snug canvass. It was also good to see the Princess, the prettiest boat of the fleet, starting after them hopelessly long distance behind,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.