THE MAORI CANOE RACE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 8, 11 January 1899, Page 2

THE MAORI CANOE RACE.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —In reply to T.H., in which fie . j blames your reporter for not strictly ] stating the truth re the canoe racb t Qfl|j beg to state that your reporter was conversant with the facts, and htaffi' report was correct. T.H. is rather in a fog, as he calls it the big- canoe raC&|H and then quotes the prize advertised , 1 for the whakatiwai canoe race. The I advertised programme stated that I there were to be three contests, thejjm winner of most events in this race to^Ss receive £50, second £10, and third "t £5; but the wily native dcinauded(9f that the first contest should seeun? ; the first prize, £ 50. Of course to thffS the committee would not agree, as. in ; the first place, it was.an off day, an^jjft in the second place they fortunateij ■ j had received reliable informal ion that JH the natives purposed securing the £50 ;- and then leaiving for their homes with-Sj. out carrying out the three contests, '~. and at the suggestion Of the natives'^H representatives they agreed to run foBJjPj £10, then.for £50, and lastly for £5. ""{[' but when the race was to start th3m natives endeavoured to put the- : I committee in a false position by de^J manding. that £50 should be paid fin the first contest. The committee stooftHH firm and knocked^ the race off their jp; list. The same tactics were pursued | with the big canoe race, and in whica . . the natives have not carried out theitSai. agreement, and so far have not run i off the third heat or contest. —I aiflH CfiAS. C. DACRE, , t Hon. Secretary, vflj: E.FORD, fll Hon. Treasurer N.S.N. Regatte.>iW