ROTORUA DISTRICT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6065, 26 April 1881, Page 6

ROTORUA DISTRICT NEWS.

[FROM OUK OWN COBRESrOXDEST.]

Ohinemctu, April 19. THE REGATTA. There had been great excitement during the week over the long-expected regatta, and on Saturday morning the weather-wise were early astir scanning the horizon for signs of a favourable breeze. The morning was dark and misty, and towards the appointed starting hour (9.30) a stiff breeze was blowing from the N.E. with a nasty lumpy sea. The Maoris refused to take out their canoes in such threatening weather, so the committee decided upon postponing the principal races till Monday. However at 10.15 a start was made for the first item, a four-oared boat race; distance, 2 miles. The boat Enterprise, manned by four well built halfcastes, Mr. Kelly's Spray, and Mr. Taylor's Mary Gray made a capital start, at 10.16. For the first half-mile the race was very equally divided, then gradually the Enterprise got slightly ahead, but towards the nag-post the Spray put on a spurt, and rounded the post in fine style, followed by the Enterprise aud the Mary Gray. Half a mile from home the half-caste crew broke down, and Mr. Kelly's Spray dashed in fine style past the winning post fully half a minute ahead of the Mary Gray-. Time, 15 minutes. As usual in all racing matters, a long delay occurred before No. 2 on the programme, a sculling race for skiffs, distance one mile, Mr. Scott's Gem, Mr. Mitchell's Nonsuch, Mr. Taylor's Tenakoa, got away at U.S. The Gem got headway from the start. There was at this time au increased breeze with heavy sea, which caused the .Nonsuch to give up the race and seek safety on shore. The Gem won easily in fourteen minutes, the Tenakoa a good..second, coming in three minutes later. For the third item, pair-oared boat race with coxswain, were entered the Gem, Titaha, aiid Tenakoa. A good start was made at 11.50, but when some hundred yards away the Gem capsised, owing to the heavy sea running, and therefore was disqualified, the other boats returning to shore. The fifth race was a sailing race for boats under 20 feet, distance four miles. The Spray, Titaha, and Mary Gray made a fair start at 1 p.m. On gaining the point off Mokoia, it was found that the buoy moored to mark the distance had broken away, and,: as the exact distance was doubtful, '. the boats returned, to race again on Monday. Saturday afternoon was wound up by a most exciting dual duck hunt. The first being won by Mr, Yates, and the second by Mr. Brown. Monday opened clear and bright, a light fresh S.'W. wind blowing steadily all the day. Rotorua looked a picture in the glorious sunshine, a white cloud flecked the dark-blue sky, with numerous whitewinged boats flitting to and fro, while Maori Canoes, freighted with a/ living mass of mixed colours, presented a gay aud brilliant scene. A great number of European visitors were present, including many wellknown Tauranga friends, and the natives for many miles around came in great force. The third race, which came to grief on Saturday, was re-started at 10 a.m. Mr. Graham's Titaha won by quite two lengths, doing the two miles in 15 minutes, having a steady, fair wind. It was then proposed to start the eighth race of sailing boats from Uhinemutu round Mokoia and back, a distance of some ten miles. There was great excitement over this event, for the Maoris kad entered the Katarina, owned and entirely built by the natives themselves. Besides' this craft was entered Mr. Graham's Titaha, Mr. Kelly's Spray, Mr. Taylor's Bessie. Bell (schooner rigged). A fair start was made at 11.48, when the Titaha took the lead, , closely foli lowed by the Spray, the. Bessie Bell gradually creeping up, and rounding Mokoia fully half a minute in advance; the Katarina, hugging the island very closely, stole a march on the other boats, aud made a fine long reach for the return journey, and eventually passed the flagship at 2.48 ; the Spray, ! a good second, arriving at 3.15 ; the Bessie Bell at 3.18, and the Titaha at 3.40. The natives were highly delighted at the success of .their boat, which reflects-the greatest credit upon its builders. It was skilfully handled, and distanced the European boats easily. The next event was a Maoii canoe race, manned by 10 natives; distance two: miles. Three canoes entered—the Waikato, Poaka, and Taitenui. A most exciting race ensued, and was won by the Waikato by two lengths. A Maori women's canoe race was then announced, which attracted great attention. Three canoes were entered—the Waikato, Poaka, and Taitenui. The Waikato took the lead, continued it, and won by a .couple of lengths. It "was now getting late, and the wind having dropped, it was decided to leave the fifth sailing race, for boats under 20 feet, until Tuesday—when the Mary Gray came in first, followed in eight minutes by the Spray; the Titaha coming in five minutes later. .

This, the first regatta ever held in this district, was a decided success, both natives and Europeans working unanimously in carrying out the programme. The picturesque' shores of the lake presenting so many coigns of vantage for seeing the whole of the races, makes Rotorua the beau ideal of a racing water. It is decided to make this regatta the first of an annual series of sports. It is-hoped that next season more money will be offered, so as to tempt more boats froni a distance. Several Auckland visitors expressed an opinion ' that the Rotorua regatta will in future be ; a great centre of attraction, and cause as much attention as those held on the Waitemata waters. The thanks of the visitors and settlers are due to the Racing Committee for their energy in providing such a capital day's sport. It was regretted that the genial president, Mr. Robert Graham, was unavoidably detained in Auckland on business, but his able colleague, Mr. W. Kelly, efficiated successfully in his absence.