NGARUAWAHIA REGATTA.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 66, 18 March 1910, Page 7

NGARUAWAHIA REGATTA.

A RECORD CROWD. GREAT MAORI CARNIVAL. There were crowds of people from Auckland, and nearly every village -within half a day's journey of •Ngaxuawahia went a-fairing there yesterday. It is the habit of the New Zealand people so to do on certain high days, and it is quite evident from the size of the crowd which spread itself over the banks of the river at Xgaruawahia yesterday, that this particular way of spending a day is no less popular than it used to be long ago. It is estimated that ; the crowd yesterday numbered about 10,000 people. The spot is an ideal one for a regatta. There are beautiful reaches in both rivers, so that everybody may see all that is going on. and the banks are like smooth gras 1 lawns. All over the grounds yesterday there were any number of marquees, in which nearly every kind of showman •offered some inducement for people in holiday humour to get rid of their small change, and surely there were never so many booths in one place where one could buy things to eat. The Maori events on the programme were those which claimed the, attention, of .the visitors. The haka and poi dances . were all splendidly performed, especially the latter, and the crowd signified their unqualified approval by cordial applause. The aquatic event's for natives were also exceedingly popular, both with Europeans and Maoris, those attracting most attention 'being the races for war canoes. Of these there were two, both handicaps, ami the two best crews of the three competing had very exciting races. Tangitekiwi, conceding 88 yards to Waomii, beat them in the first race, after a long chase over the whole tliree-mile journey. In the second race Tangitekiwi had to concede a, longer handicap, ami Waonui were able to keep some of their lead until the end. Other exciting races, both to competitors and public, were the canoe hurdle races, and the "chase for a bride." All the natives showed remarkable skill with the paddle, and the time kept 'in the war canoe races was such as to make rowing •men envious. Incidentally, there were a number of amateur rowing events, competed for by a fair number of crews .from- clubs in the Auckland district. The form shown was not good, however, die one exception to be made being in favour of the crews from the local shed Following are the results not published in yesterday's issue:— Haka.—Maggie Papakura 1, Te Wlkiriwhi te Tuaha 2. Junior Pairs.,—Ngaruawahia R.C. (W. Wilson stroke, H. Henderson) 1, Ngarua wahia R.C. (E. Quintal stroke, G. Kellow) 2. Crews frour the North Shore and Kotorua Clubs also started, but neither of their finished. Canoe Hurdle Race iwahines).—Rina Ta rawhiti and Haua 1, Te Whakahau and Hea 2, Erina Mata and Hira 3. Junior Fours (lOst and under).—West En-d R.C. (C. Carter stroke. R. McDonald, Ben nett, and Wright) 1, Hamilton R.C. (F. R. Baker stroke, C. Tonkin. S. Beavan, and O. Fulton) 2. Won by half a length. Te Kawhaki Tamahlne (chase for a bride) —Four crews competed, but the Waikatc men caught the bride first, and passed the

winninc post without being overtaken. Country Fours (Waikato challenge shieK and gold medals). —Ngaruawahia R.C. (F Parker stroke, W. Miller, W. Fuller, and H Sampson) L Hamilton RiC. (.W. Masot stroke, E-; J. Meais, J. Luxford, and- A atiuchln) 2. Rotorna R.C. (Wylie strokp Landells, Fitzgerald, and Redward) 3. Th< Mercer crew did not finish. Xgarnawahls took the lead In the early part of the race and maintained it -with apparent..ease. , Pol Dance (adults).— Tawlilarangl 1, Xga tiplklao 2. l'oi Dance (girls').—RJTnsiuru 1. Ladies' Pair Oar Race.—Xgaruawnhii R C 1 and 2. The winning crew wen Misses S. Kellow and M. Booth, and th< second Misses B. Patersou and J. Kay. i crew representing Huntly R.C. also com £eted. Junior Fours (open weights).—Ngarnawa iia R C (W Wilson stroke, H. Henderson B. Quintal, and G. Kellow) 1, West- Em fl C (C Carter stroke, R. McDonald, W Massey, and G. Wright) 2. These were th< only competitors, and won easily by Be lengths. Canoe Hurdle Race (man and woman).— Te Whakahau and Hira 1, Te Poro te Kir and Hana 2, Paora Hopera and Riniawa 3. ' Maiden Double Scullk.—Xg-aruawank R.C. (A. Kay stroke, and R. Fuller) 1 Xortb. Shore. R.C. (C. Seagar stroke, and F Bennett) 2, St. George's R.C. <F. R. O Gor man stroke, and E. D. Elliott) 3. Won bj three lengths. St. George's four lengths be hind North Shore. Mounted Swimming Race.—Tβ Amarai Taika 1. G. T. Harwo-od s Darky 2, W Emmery's Mangawara'3. War Canoes' Race. Waikato, trandicap.— Te Waionui a Tune 1. Tansiteklwi 2. Woi after an exciting race by about 50 yards. Large Kopapa Race.—Waipa 1, Waikati 2, Tauanui 3. Won by aalf a length. Senior Fours. —Xparuawahia R.C. (W Wilson stroke. H\ Henderson. R. Puller and G. Kellow) 1. Waitenmta R.C. (F- Her ring stroke, F. D. Bell, J. Magee, and A Andrews) % St. George's R.C. (C. E. Stom stroke, W. Smith, H. B. Harper, and T Stone) 3. Won comfortably by five lengths St. George's eight leugths away. Tjnuer and Over Canoe Hurdle Race.Hokioi TarawWti and Xcahn Rotana 1, T Poto Tuklri and Tini Tukiri 2.