Sydney Herald (NSW : 1831 - 1842), Monday 29 January 1838, page 2


DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE,

THE JUBILEE.

Friday being the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of the Colony, was observed as a pub-lic holiday. All the Government and other public offices, and the greater portion of the shops were closed. A regatta was got up for the occa-sion, and notwithstanding the apathy that had been displayed by the public, it went off remark-ably well. The first race was by first-class sailing boats, first boat ten guineas, second boat five guineas; there were five boats entered, and the race was won by Mr. Sawyer's North Star. The second race was by second-class sailing boats; four boats entered, and the race was won by Mr. Gardner's Sea Gull. The third race was a row-ing match by whale boats, which was won by Mr. Hill's Red Nose. At twelve o'clock the Royal Standard was hoisted at Dawes' Battery, and a salute of fifty guns fired. The steamer Australia had been hired for the day by a party of Australians; about eleven o'clock she got under weigh from the Cove, and after cruising about for a short time, anchored near the starting boat, and dancing was commenced and continued at intervals during the day. The steamer Experiment plied about during the whole of the day with a great number of passengers on board. The iron steam-boat, the Rapid, got under weigh, and run down to the stream, and steamed about the harbour. The miniature steamer Firefly was also running about. The day was remarkably fine, and there were great numbers of boats, of every description, filled with people, who seemed determined to be happy, and we are glad to be able to say that there was not so much drunkenness and riot as we have been in the habit of seeing. The scene about two o'clock was remarkably beautiful; the whole Bay, from Pinchgut to Dawes' Battery, was alive with vessels while the boats that were sailing for the prize were coming up in the distance; and Mr. Manning's new steam-boat Maitland, (making five steamers plying about on the occa-sion) which got under weigh for the first time, was coming up from Bradley's Head. The whole passed off without any accident. In the evening, about forty gentlemen dined together at the Pulteney Hotel, Mr G. R. Nichols in the Chair. A few houses were illuminated, and great quan-tities of rockets and other fireworks were let off.