WAR CANOE RACING

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 March 1929, Page 2

WAR CANOE RACING

INTER-TRIBAL JEALOUSY. A curious story revealing petty intertribal jealousies among the Maoris even after so many years of declared peace is linked with the refusal of the Wanganui tribe to compete in the war canoe race at the Ngaruawahia regatta last Saturday. Races for large war canoes have long been a yearly feature at the Ngaruawahia regatta, and in view of the great gathering of natives from all over the North Island assembled at Te Puea’s pa, the Wanganui tribe was invited to accept a challenge from the Waikato Maoris to a canoe race on the river. This was thought in some circles to be a most happy suggestion. The Wanganui Maoris never have been pitted against the Waikatos in such a race, and as both peoples are reputedly good boat-men a stirring contest was expected. Strangely enough the invitation did not meet with the expected reception. It was openly stated in Wanganui that the young men of the tribe were anxious to race their war canoes on the Waikato. In spite of this the old men could not agree. There are two 60ft. canoes at Wanganui which it was hoped by the young Maoris there would be paddled up the Waikato in friendly rivalry. There were delays in accepting the invitation and finally a meeting of the Wanganui Maoris was called to discuss what proved to be a serious question from the point of view of the tribal

elders. Following this it was stated definitely that the Wanganui canoes would not race on the Waikato. It was explained that the crews might suffer defeat at the hands of their hosts and this would not be in keeping with the Wanganui traditions of prowess. It was felt the Wanganui crews should not bo called upon to risk the standing of their tribe in a race with the Waikatos. Previous to this the old men agreed to allow the canoes to compete on condition that their crews were victorious, but as it was hardly possible to make such a definite promise the elders had to refuse to let them go to Ngaruawahia. It is pointed out that no spirit of animosity prompted the refusal to race the Wanganui war canoes. Judged by modern standards all that is revealed is a somewhat distorted view of friendly competition in sport. v