GREAT AQUATIC GALA.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 43, 21 February 1927, Page 13

GREAT AQUATIC GALA.

CROWDS GATHER AT MERCER. ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS. ißy Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") MERCER. Saturday. Excellent weatber conditions prevailed for the Mercer Regatta, held on the Waikato River to-day. There was a large crowd present, and nnmnou side shows on the picturesque banks. In addition to eight Auckland Rowing Association championship events, there were three other rawing events. The racing was of a high order. and some particularly close finishes resulted. Over fifty crews competed, and clubs representing Mercer. Auckland. Hamilton. Nsaruawahia. and as far away as Tau range were out on the river in the various events. A special feature of the day's out Ins was an exhibition of old-time poi dances and haJcas. given by Mercer and Tepuea Maoris. Aquatic events were also held. including the canoe hurdle races, duck punt races. horse swimming greasy boom. and such-like interesting exhibitions. Members of the Auckland Rowing Association executive were present in the person of the president. Mr. W. G. Mason, the hon. secretary. Mr. E. H. Buck It hon treasurer. Mr. W. M. Milsom. ami Messrs C. Hunt and Mackay. K D. Page. A. C. Mercrem. N. Cossev. G. Johnson. P R. Graham, and G. Mevis." Mr E. H. Buck ler acted as starter, and Mr. W. G. Mason as unipirp. and Mr. H. M. Wilson as judge, assists! by Mr. P. R. Graham. The hon. secretary. Mr. A. Wisnesky. and the committee had all arrangements well in hand fur r"tving races to commence on tim«\ Results are as follow :— MAORI EVENTS. Canoe Hurdle Race nwo meni.—Billy Macky 1. Billy Buck 2. Canoe Hurdle Race tone man and one wahine'.—W. Macky 1. Tuki -. Hurdl" Race iwahines). —Misses Macky and Jury 1. Rangiriri ladies 2. Hurdle Race men blindfolds -Tuki 1. Horse Swimming Race.—F. Mackey 1. X. Douglas 2. Six Competitors Canoe Race (two men blindfolded in each canoe.—Tuki and mate 1. W. Buck and mate 2. Fire started. CHAMPION MAIDEN SCULLS, about one mile, for the Farmers" Cup. Taumnga (C. Haua. str. and G. Tindelli 1 St. George's (Hulme. str. and K. Pagei 2 North Shore iD. Da vies. str. and W. Dean) 3 Won by one and a-half lengths, a length between second and third. There were six

starters in this race, namely. Waitemata. Hamilton. Aucnland. North Shore. St. George's, and Tauranga. Tbe latter crew jumped away at the start, and. making the pace a cracker. rot a ?<••■.! lead to "he wharf. l'ass:ng here, tbe urd< r was: Tauranga. North Snore. St. George's, with Wuitemata coming up strongly. A couple of hundred ;anis further down th- river. St. <ie<rge s overhauled North Shore. ami Waitemata dropped liack. Hamilton r<-zi<mz into the picture Although St. Geo rg>- s put in a tine <:TorT. tbey could not catch the Taurangn crew, who wfii on To trio comfortably by a length and a-h»lf • ■ North Shore a Kcgtb .- Hamilton fourth. MAIDEN FOURS, open weight, about one mile, for Dewar Shield. Hamilton No. 1 i.N. Pope. str. H. Edmonds. R. HilL H. Lane, bowi 1 Auckland (R. Stacey. sTr. A. C. Andrews. L. Hall. J. MWomish bowi 2 North Shore (E. Horn. str. ToWßsend. W. Seagar. B. McCallum. bowi 3 Won by two lengths, a similar distance between second and third. Ten crews started in this race, making a pretty picture as they came down the river. Hamilton No. 1 got a good lead at the start, with Auckland chasing them. West End was left at the post, but when they got going they made up a lot of ground. Approaching the wharf, the tea crews appoar'-d to be bur.ched. with Hamilton No 1 slightly in the lead. At The wharf Hamilton had inor--as»d their advantage over Auckland by two lengths, with West End gaining All the other crewi were going after the leaders, and a great race to the judge resulted in Hamilton hanging en long enough to win by two lengths. w:;b Auckland the same disrance ah<ad of North Shore, and West End tiro awai -,n fourth positiin Mercer No. 1 and -. St. George's. Waitemata. and Hamilton No 'J were all together following. CHAMPIONSHIP SENIOR FOURS, about two miles, for Auckland Rowing Association's Cup. Waitemata No. 1 iT. Johnson, str. L. E. Rrooker. N. Do'ibleday. D. Smith, bowt 1 Only one starter. Waitemata No. 2 and Hamilton scratching, and Waitemata No. 1 had a walk-over. CHAMPION JUNIOR DOUBLE SCULLS. Ahout one mile and a-half. Wa'umata iJ. A. Stewart, J. M. Stevenson. 1 North Shore tD. Davies, W. Dean! .... 2 Hamilton scratched. Won by a bare length. North Shore had a slight advantage ct the start, but Waitemata. rowing strongly, drew ahead, to gain an advantage of about a length. It was a great rao- all the way. At The w-harf. North Shore had decreased the distance between them and their opponents to half a length, and That was The position of th* crews to within a couple of hundred yards of the winning post- There Waitemata, sprinted, and went on to win by a bare length.