THE MERGER REGATTA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 291, 7 December 1900, Page 4

THE MERGER REGATTA.

To-morrow the monster Maori He-g-atta and Aquatic Sports and Northern Rowing- Kegatta combined, take place at Mercer. An excellent programme of events will be gone through, including a ngeri or war dance, war canoe races, canoe hurdle races, ladies' pair oar, swimming races, greasy boom, eig-ar and vrmr brella race, and the rowing regatta of the Northern Rowing Union. Itefresh* ment booths will be en the ground and excursions will be run on the Waiknto. The Tan Toko Maori Band will discourse music during the day. Tf the weather is fine there will probably be a recbi'd attendance. Tickets may be purchased at Auckland and Xewina-»ket stations this evening-. The fast through special leaves town Tomorrow morning- at 9.15, and we would ■advise excursionists to be early at fhe station, to avoid the crush.

The ■<rowingl races at the regatta* being- the first of the season, are attracting a good deal of interest. The senior gig race should go to Eees's West End, The junior gig race will probably prove as keen a contest as has been fought out for some time. The Waitemata crew has put.in some good work, and a.s the men are all strong and in really good condition, they should be there "at the finish.^ W rest End • have also been training steadily, and will probably be close handy all the way. West End's light weight juniors appear to be good! enough to account for their race. The heavy-weight maiden race is an open event, but will probably g-o to the St. Georg-e's Bay crew. This crew gives every evidence of careful training, and the men themselves are confident, an excellent sign. The NorthSShoer c creW for this event is also » good one. Graham's crew, West End, is the favourite for the light-weight maidens, but. here again North Shore and. Waitemata have good fours. Altogether the rowing- races should be well contested, and good, finishes may be looked for.