The Sun.
London, England, 1844-06-21 00:00:00

THAMES GRAND REGATTA.

Patron, his Royal IlighnesS Prince Albert; Vice-Patrons,
the Dnke of Northumberland, the Duke of Buccleuch, the
Earl of Ripon, Lord Viscount Castlereagh, Lord Viscount
.Orimston, the Vice-Chancellor of England, and the Lord
Mayor of London.
This great aquatic meeting, which has been the topic in
the aquatic-circles for some time past, commenced yesterday,
and if we may judge from the amount of subscription, and.
the number of entries, the public taste for such amusements
is decidedly on the increase. It has been said, that " good
wine needs no bush," and relying on the truth of this axiom,
we are not disposed to inflict on our readers any very
lengthened exordium. An experiment was made last year,
under the above fostering patronage, to establish a regatta at
Putney, in which gentlemen as well as Waterman might con-
tend; and with such influential members at the head of
affairs, the committee of management, consisting of the lead-
ing gentlemen of the Universities, and of the other great
aquatic clubs, received such encouragement and support as
could leave no doubt of the permanent success of their en-
deavours.
The regatta possessed great attractions to recommend it
to public notice ; it exceeded by far anything of the sort
that had ever preceded it. The public were to be amply re-
compensed for the disappointment they had sustained at
Easter in the Cambridge and Oxford University match
being off, by an eight-oared race, in which not only the
rival universities, but the Leander and Cambridge Subscrip-
tion Rooms boats were also to contend, independently of
which the entry of eight gentlemen's fours, five pair oared
boats, and twelve scullers, promised first-rate sport in the
gentlemen's races, without taking into consideration for a
moment the wonderful addition made by the great races
amongst tradesmen, watermen, and the class called lands-
men. Thus the variety and number of the races, with the
amount of prizes, and general excellence of the arrange-
ments, secured to the public a gratification of no mean order.
If men were intent on sport, they had it to their heart's con-
tent, from the majestic sweep of the patrician's eight to the
scientific propelling of the beautiful sculler's wherry.
In the selection of the watermen, and, indeed, in the ar-
rangements for gentlemen's matches, the sub-committee have
had to discharge a most onerous, not to say unpleasant, duty.
As regards the former, especial care had been taken to se-
lect only such as were calculated -to do credit to the sport,
and painshad been taken to prevent the watermen entering
for too many races, thus securing to all who were competent

the means of competing.
As regards the erection of stands, accommodation for
visitors, &c., we were, on reaching the scene of action, struck
with surprise. Instead of the two flags proudly floating from
Putney-bridge, marking the line of mooring for craft of dif-
ferent denominations, of which craft there was continual suc-
cession from the Bells at Putney to the point off the Crab-
tree, and again renewed further towards Hammersmith •
bridge, which was exhibited on the former occasion, there
was not within the whole space of the aquatic course (two
miles.and a half) to be seen more than half a dozen barges or
craft of any other description. In lieu of the magnificent
stands, competent to hold three thousand persons, which
were to be found arranged at the great taverns and else-
where, two or three only were to be observed, and those
were almost tenantless. Putney and Hammersmith bridges
were divested of decoration, and were certainly not at any
period of the race inconveniently crowded. At the last re-
gatta both sides of the latter bridge were filled up with seats,
to the exclusion of the public; such, however, was not the
case in this instance. lulham and Putney church steeples
were graced with the royal standard. The Bells Tavern was
profuse in its streamers, as were the other public places of ac
commodation to which the gentlemen resort. To add hilarity
to the regatta a fair of no mean pretensions was holden in the
cricket ground belonging to the Half Moon.
The bells chimed merrily, but there was a lack of listeners.
We never remember such sport in perspective with so few at-
tendants., the morning was dull and gloomy, cold, with oc-
casional heavy showers of rain, uninviting, and, as it must be
admitted, unpropitious weather for such sport.
All was bustle at the Messrs. Searle's, and the various other
boat-builders, who had been busily engaged for the last month
in constructing boats for the occasion. A steamer had been
hired for the accommodation of the Committee, but was sta-
tionary off the Star and Garter, an umpire's boat alone ac-
companying the races.
The heats were so contested as to afford the men engaged
leisure for rest, but we furnish each contest under its respec-
tive head for the advantage of the reader :
Sculler's race, by Gentleman Amateurs, for the Silver Chal-
lenge Cup, given by J. Layton, Esq.
First heat—J. M'Donald, Esq., Green ; T. Bumpstead,
Esq., Red ; J. Higgins, Esq., Orange and White ; J. B.
Wigham, Esq., Stripes : Westrope, Esq., Black.
The distance in this, as in the whole of the matches yes-
terday, was from Putney-bridge to Hammersmith.
It was a fine start; Red took the lead, closely followed by
Green and Yellow. Green pressed Red very severely, and
Stripes made play and challenged the second boat. Red was
evidently the superior sculler, and held the lead throughout
the heat; Black and Orange and White made a very pretty
race. Red won by five lengths, Stripes was second, Black
third, Orange and White fourth, and Green fifth.
Second heat—A. Earnshaw, Orange; Peacock, Light Blue;
Ronayne, Red and White ; E. S. Kennedy, Esq., Pink ;
Jeffries, Blue and White ; P. E. Dodd, Black and White ; J.
J. Pocock, Purple; M'Leod, Yellow.
A fine start and splendid race throughout, but the begin-
ning marred by a slight foul between Earnshaw and M'Leod,
the latter of whom had been placed in this heat, in conse-
quence of having by some mistake, omitted to be in readi-
ness for the first, in which a station had been drawn forhim.
Red and White led, and his hand failing him, went consider-
ably in towards the Vice-Chancellor's. Light blue then
made the running followed by Blue and White, and Pink.
In this order the first four boats made the prettiest race ever
witnessed; the leading pairs hung even and even, scull and
scull. At half a mile from the distance post there were four
of the competitors to be seen neck and neck, each applying his
power for the pride of place ; and as they approached the bridge
Light Blue shot a-head three-quarters of a boat's length
only of Blue and White, and maintained his position, win-
ning by that distance. Pink was close upon the second
boat's quarter. The other boats were in a ruck about two

length; astern.
Grand Heat—This was started downwards. 'Blue and
White at the first moment took the lead, followed by Red and
Stripes, who appeared nervous at starting, pulled up vigor-
ously to compensate for lost time, and quickly put the other
parties on their mettle. Blue and White fell off, and weint
astern, and Red, with the most apparent ease, led the way
down in gallant style, and won by two or three lengths ;
Pocock was second; Wigham third.
Pair Oars, by Watermen, for Eighty Sovereigns. Three heats.
First heat—G. Everard and Moore, Red ; F. Lett and H.
Campbell, Pink ; Meekiff and May, Black and White ;
Kipping and Harris, range;Q R. Doubledee and E. Maynard,
Purple; H. Green an G. Campbell, Green.
Second heat—C. Hill and J. Maynard, Stripes; Shelton
and Poett, Black; J. Phelps and Maxwell, Red and White;
R. Coombs and J. Godfrey, Yellow ; J. Everard and F.
Brocklehurst, Light Blue; Dodd and Joyce, Orange and
White.
First Heat—Green and Purple shot off in the lead at the
moment of starting, but Green went toe much into the Mid-
' dlesex shore; Black and White and Pink were close toge-
ther. Pink then took the lead and was first at some consi-
derable distance from the bridge, and passed through little
more than a boat's length a-head. The actual contest was
between Red and Orange ; they were close almost to the
qridge, but Red obtained second place, and beat his adveasary
three-quarters of a boat's length; Purple was fourth, Green
fifth, and Black and White last.
Second Heat—After two false starts, in which there was
some fouling between Maxwell and Phelps, Hill and May-
nard, and Shelton and Poett, Yellow took the lead, closely
followed by Red, and Black being near. The remainder of
the distance the race entirely lay between Yellow and Red
and White, and Light Blue being third, in which order they
arrived at Hammersmith-bridge ; but the umpires placed
Light Blue second, in consequence of the fouling which had
taken place ; Black was fourth, Stripes fifth, and Orange last.
Grand Heat—A gallant rae?. Pink had somewhat the
advantage at starting, and led at a tremendous pace, followed
up by Light Blue, Yellow, and Red. Yellow and Pink, shortly
after the start, extricated themselves from their opponents,
and a desperate pull followed all the way down. Offthe Crab-
tree Pink succeeded in shaking their opponents off, and won
the race by a length. Yellow was second, Red third, and
Light Blue fourth.
The Apprentices' Race, for a Coat, Badge, and Freedom, pre-
sented by Evan Morris, Esq.
First Heat—Prince, Black ' • Green, Green ; Sage, Yellow ;
Castle, Orange and White ; Meesharn,Light Blue ; Taylor,
Stripes.
Second Ileat—Adams, Purple ; Dewing, Red ; Johnson,
Orange ; White, Black and White ; Brurasgrove, Pink ;
INlCanne, Red and White.
In the first heat Light Blue and Black immediately after
the start took the lead, and the first-named increased it, and
won by seven lengths, the others were nowhere.
In the second heat Black and White took the lead, fol.,
lowed by Red ; Purple then challenged the party in advance,
and a sharp bout followed; Red and White then took the
lead, maintained it, and won by four lengths; Purple was
second, Black and White third.
In the grand heat, Light Blue and Purple made some very
pretty rowing in advance of their opponents, who, however,
waited too closely upon them to be pleasant companions.
Light Blue shot by the winning post ten lengths ahead of
Purple; Red and White was third.
The Committee were most punctual in keeping time ; but
it is to be regretted that the competitors did not keep their
colours in the head of their boats, as it would save much
confusion and mistake. The watermen wore dresses of the
colour, which was a very excellent arrangement. Towards
the close of the afternoon's sport the company had very con-
siderably increased, and things bore a much brighter aspect
lan at the opening.

REGISTER! REGISTER ! REGISTER
TO THE EDITOR OF THE
Sin,— Allow me to call attention to the days and periods
and several matters of county registration required by the
Registration of Voters' Act.
20th June—Overseers are top üblish their notices, direct-
ing persons to send in their county claims.
20th July—ls the last day on which a valid claim can be
made ; which should be sent to the overseer of the parish
where the qualification is situate.
31st July—The list of claimants is to be made out by the
overseers.
Ist August—The list of voters is to be published.
2295tthh AAuuguguss—
t—tThe jecltisiots maybearnsetob e beforelimdaedevoenreodrbyth e
rs
this day.
to the clerk of the peace.
Ist Sept.—The list of persons objected to to be published.
Between the 15th September and 31st October, the Regis-
tration Courts are to be held.
Forms of claim and any information will be supplied to the
Liberal electors, on application at the Middlesex Reform Re-
. gistration- office, 15, Bridge-street, Blackfriars (removed front
' 11, Beaufort-buildings, Strand).
H. JAMES.
Your obedient servant,
_ _

THE CONFECTIONERY TRADE.—Sfime few weeks
since a statement appeared in our paper respecting a memo-
rial which had been presented to the President of the Board.
of Trade and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, by the jour-
neymen confectioners of the metropolis, as well as others
from the different cities of the United Kingdom, respecting
the introduction of hard confectionary into England front
Halifax, Notith America, and which was done in direct op-
position to the tariff of last year. The parties who imported
the goods contended that, under the Navigation Act, which
was passed to enable the inhabitants of Halifax to enjoy the
same privileges as the people of England, the goods, by being
manufactured at Halifax, were to all intents and ptsrPoses,
British manufactured goods, and therefore could be admitted
at the duty of one penny per pound. This was met by the
trade, who stated that sugar was not the production of Id a i -
fa x , but procured from the West Indies, and by its being ad-
mitted at a very small duty to Halifax, the result would be,
that if the trade was allowed to continue, it would throw
every workman in England out of employ, besides causing
deficiency in the revenue of upwards of a quarter of a milheit
sterling. These proceedings have at length terminated by
an order in council being issued last week, prohibiting the
import of any hard confectionery into any of the ports of the
United Kingdom under a duty of 6d. per lb., and whicht
enactment came into operation on Monday last Since then
it is understood that seven tons weight of lozenges_have.
arrived-in the port of London, and although exertions have
been made to get it admitted at the duty of Id. per lb., the
attempt has been unsuccessful, and it 13 now in bond.