THE ANNIVERSARY REGATTA.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume VI, Issue 3, 15 February 1859, Page 1

THE ANNIVERSARY REGATTA.

The Regatta of 1859 was one of the very best that ever took place in Auckland. In consequence of the 29th of January—the day on which the City of Auckland was founded—falling on a Saturday, and that day being an inconvenient one for men. of business, the festival was postponed until Monday the 51st, when it was celebrated with all becoming honour. The weather was charming, and, as the day wore, a fine and steady breeze set in which enabled the sailing vessels to display their powers to the best advantage. It was a source of much satisfaction to every one to witness the deep interest taken by the Natives, and the cordiality with which they contributed to the sports of the day. Not only did they come forward with their fine Waka Taua Canoes, but entered four out of the seven whale boats that competed in the first race, in which, but for the breaking of an oar, there was a great probability of the Kahawai proving the winner. The accident was much to be regretted, and will, no doubt, lead the parlies who suffered by it lo provide themselves with a pare oar or two on future occasions. j

It is a delightful thing to witness the Natives and the Europeans engaging in these manly and friendly contests; and we incline to think that, year by year, they will enter more fully and largely into the spirit of the thing. Even in the Mosquito Fleet, a native competitor—the Kawana—was to be found, and we are happy in being able to slate that the boat was not only well sailed, but that she took a very creditable position in the order in which she arrived at the flagship. It was unfortunate that there was no race with Tiwai Canoes; luckily it was fully compensated by the race of the Waka Taua Canoes, which has always been considered one of the most interesting races of the day, as well as one of the grandest features of the Auckland Regatta. This Race on tbe present occasion proved to be a most exciting one. Four canoes started. These were— Te Rere Retimona Tuputeuki . . . . Te Waka Reweti Hurimarangai . . . Hapimana Te Rere took the lead at starting; and for some time the other three were locked so closely together that their paddles clashed and clattered in the most noisy manner, to the great amusement of the numerous European spectators. It was some little time before they got clear, and before each canoe was able lo put forth its best exertions; this was eventually done, and a most nervous and animated struggle ensued. Te Rere, however, maintained the lead, the whole of the canoes coming in in the order in which we have placed them. There were nine races in all; and> as we have said, in two of these the Natives competed most gallantly with their European brethern; in ihe third race in which they took a part (the Waka Taua), they measured their strength with each other, and we are sure they will be pleased to learn to the great satisfaction of those who year after year have been witnesses of their prowess, and to the astonishment of all those who then beheld it for the first lime. In future, we hope to see both a Tiwai and a Waka Taua Canoe Race, and it would be a very pleasing addition to the Programme if a prize were given to be competed for by Canoes under sail. That great improvements will be made in the next Regatta we feel fully persuaded; and we confidently rely on the Natives making good the position they have taken, if not of

proving victors, in the Whale Boat Race, but moreover of bringing forward more vessels than the Kawana in that very fine race of the Mosquito Fleet. hftrCs We publish in the present number of the "Karere" a letter from Dr. Hochstetter. In a previous number we informed our readers of the visit of the Austrian Ship of War, the "Novara," and of its object. It was also stated that one of the scientific gentlemen belonging to the expedition had remained in New Zealand to examine the country and collect specimens of its natural productions. The letter is published that all persons in this country may know of his being here and how he is engaged so that those who are willing to do so may have the opportunity of assisting S»m in his work. The way in which they can assist is this, if any one find a strange or curious mineral, insect, or other remarkable thing, be may send it to Dr. Hochstetter to be examined by him or sent to Europe to be examined by scientific men there. Now we think some of oar Maori friends would be well employed in bringing to light the natural productions of their native country which is the reason why tliisjis published for general information. Theie is one thing about which information is much wanted ; perhaps some of our Maori readers may help to obtain it; it .s information about the famed bird the Moa„ We have heard it staled byMaories that this bird has been seen alive during the present generation. This probably is not true. Its bones, however, have been found on the Middle Island and in some places on this island. What kind of feathers had the Moa? What kind of a beak? What was its food? What was the appearance and size of its egg? Is there any one who has seen a Moa's egg, or a fragment of the shell, however small. We invite our Maori friends who possess or know of anything belonging to this bird to communicate with us by addressing a letter to the Editor of the "Maori Messenger." Auckland, January 45th, 1859. Sir,—With a view to make my stay in New Zealand as conducive as possible to a more complete acquaintance with the natural history of the country than has hitherto been attainable, I have the honor to suggest that it would be desirable that public notice should be given to the inhabitants of the Colony, that I shall be happy to receive

specimens illustrative of any branch of Natural History from every part of New Zealand, together with information relative to the locality from whence obtained, and any other remarks that may be thought likely to render the scientific examination more perfect. By sending such specimens in duplicate the donors would enable me to transmit one set to Europe for the purposes of the expedition to which I belong and to leave the other here as a nucleus for a New Zealand Museum,—every specimen in which being numbered to correspond with those sent home, the future Report of the Expedition would enable the colonists to -identify them, and to learn all that had been ascertained in reference to them by the united labours of men eminent in their respective branches of science in Europe. With your permission I would request that such specimens may be sent to my address at the offices of the Colonial Government in Auckland, I have, etc., Dr. Ferdinand Hochstetter. To the Honorable the Colonial Secretary.