New-York tribune., 1878-10-03
THE GREAT BOArRACE POSTPONED.
THE CONTEST TO TAKE PLACE TO-DAY.

A LARGE CROWD DIsAPPoINrED-1HE BETTING STILL
IN FAVOR OF HANLAN-A PICTURESQUE SCENE.
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNF.l
MONTREAL, Oct 2.-Greatly to the disappointment
of the immense crowds assembled here from all over
the country, to witness the great sngle-scu con-
test between Courtney and Hanlan, the champions
respectively of the United States and Canada. the
water was too rough this afternoon for the
race The morning broke beautifully clear,
and there was every prospect OF the race
coming off, for the st. Lawrence was
like glass but by IL o'clock breeze had sprung
up. and by the time set for the race o'clock
had arrived it was out Of the question for the
oarsInen to row. They stayed in their quarters,
however, and the referee and other officials re-
mained on the course III hope Of the wind gong
down. The sky had meantime clouded over,
aud about 4 o'clock there sharp
shower. which it was expected would have
the effect of quieting the wind, and for
a while it looked as If this result wonld be
reached. The sea began to 60 down after the
shower. and the grand stand, which had been de-
serted during the Tan filled up again, but the lull
was only momentary; the wind rose again more
sharply than ever, and few minutes before
the referee ordered the race postponed until to-
morrow race between two crews OF Indians in
their canoes, forty feet noro in length, was to
tho Indians struck for higher pay. which
the Regatta Committee very properly refused to
give them. 80 they did not race The only excite
of the day was furnished by the club house of
the Lachne Boat Club, large floating building
abont 100 by 80 feet in size, which was torn from
its moorings by the force OF the wind, and went
drifting very rapidly down on the steamers which
were lying at the pier but did very little damage be-
yond frightening large number of ladies who were
on its roof.
Montreal is crowded tonight by vast crowds
which come from all parts of the continent aud
have long ago exhausted the hotel accommodations.
Rooms are not to be had for love money and 1t is
n very serious question with great numbers Of
people tonight where they are gong to sleep OF
course the sporting element very largely repre-
sented and famous names are heard and familiar
faces seen at every step. No lace for
many a long day in America has created
40 deep an interest as this and tonight the excite
ment at the Windsor, the headquarters Of the row.
ing element, is intense. There is great deal Of
betting, chiefly at long odds Hanlan, and the
booksellers are doing II good business.
The course is at Lachine, the ST. Lawrence,
nine miles west of Montreal. 1t s on the north side
of the river, where from the start a boom Of logs
has been run parallel with the Shore at about 400
Yards from which, at the north end, the start is
made. FROM mere IHe course lies aIohg tue
west side of the river for two miles
and half to the stake-boats, which are
inside and beyond three small islands.
The race IL five miles rowed with turn. Lachne
ia "A small village which is fayOric Summer resort
of the residents Of Montreal. Ii s pleasantly stu
Gted on the bank of the St. Lawrence. Just at the
mouth of the Lachinc Canal and opposite TO the
Sault st. Louis and the reservation of the Caugh-
nawaga Indians. The shores of the river here are
flat low-lying, and prettily wooded. Above and
below the river is studded with islands.
The scene to-day was remarkably brilliant. aud
interesting IN the highest degree. There were
nearly twenty large excursion steamers, all crowded
with spectators. and the number of small boats was
almost countless. There were light and graceful
steam launches moving about the course, and long
canoes with thirty or iOrtv Indians in double line
padding away for dear life, and there were also
trim little club wherrics and North Woods boats,
iostled by weatber-beatcn fishing boats of II curl
ously primitive construction, with some of
the veriest mud scOws. All this, and the
unfamiliar sound of the bOatmcn calling
10 each other in their Canadian French patOis and
stead Of the Stars and Stripes added 30 the novelty
Of the scene. The thoroughly English accent and
look of "a large part Of the spectators made scene
Of most striking interest grand stand had been
erected on the shore near the inish which well
filed and it was estimated that there at least
% 900 persons present on shore and in the boats.
The great drawback was the wrotChedly inadequate
means of transporting the public from the city TO
the course which caused the hvees
1t is to be hoped that tomorrow something may be
done to better matters in this respect
At a meeting of the Regatta Committee, held this
evening at the Windsor Hotel, il was decided that
IL is confidently expected that the water will be
smooth enough for the race. The betting tonight
ranges at from two 10 TO three to Hanlan,
and great deal OF money IL being put up.