THE RECEPTION TO THE GOVERNOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10921, 28 November 1898, Page 3

THE RECEPTION TO THE GOVERNOR.

His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Lady Ranfurly, Lord Northland, Lady Constance Knox, and Captain Alexander, came by special train from Hamilton. The engine was gaily decorated with flowers, and at the entrance to Mercer sla-t-ion a triumphal arch had been erected. The vice-regal party were received on the station platform by Mr. P. W. Lang, M.H.R., and .the committee of the Regatta Association. As the Governor stopped from the saloon the Kia Ora Maori Band played " God Save the Queen." Mr. Lang then presented His Excellency with a beau-tifully-illuminated address from the Regatta Association. The text of the address was as follows: —" To His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over the colony of New Zealand: May it please Your Excellency,— the president and secretary of the Mercer Regatta Association, desire, on behalf of that association, to offer vou a cordial welcome 011 this your first visit to us. We beg to assure Your Excellency of our fidelity to the- British Empire, and of our loyal devotion to Her Most Gracious Majesty, whose representative you are. We desire also heartily to welcome the Countess of Ranfurly, and to express our earnest wishes that she may thoroughly enjoy herself here. We hope that Your Excellency will be pleased with your visit to this part of the colony, in which there is much of interest connected with the early history of New Zealand—On behalf of the Mercer Regatta Association, Ahuiiiiu mo te, president ; C. T. Edwards, lion, secretary, Mercer, November 26, 1898." The Governor, in reply, said: As Her Majesty's representative to this her colony of New Zealand, I beg tc offer my cordial thanks for the loyal reception you offer me on behalf of your association, and I receive with satisfaction your assurances of unswerving fidelity to the great Empire which proudly owns her ar its Sovereign mistress. It is with much pleasure I find myself able to be present on this occasion, when so many are gathered together to enjoy the numerous attractions your association offers them, and I thank you /or the kindness which characterises your welcome to Lady Ranfurly and myself personally. Such kindness has greeted us in every district of these islands, and it much enhances the. enjoyment we have in travelling through the colony where so much of both historic interest "and charming scenery meets the stranger on all sides. I thank you for your address, and wish you all prosperity. An address from the Maoris was then read, and presented to His Excellency by Fori' Kukutai, chief of the Waikato tribes, Mr. Wm. A. Graham, Hamilton, interpreting. The following is a translation of the address:—"Welcome, 0 Governor. Representative of nobility of the great nations of the world. Welcome! You and

your lady arid family. Come and see Waikato tribes, although your visit is only for pleasure, that is, to see our sports. " > your Maori people, greet you, for that you have come in person to this part of the colony to see these two people—Maoris and Europeanswho dwell here under the shield of God. Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!— From Hori KrarT.u (on behalf of the Waikato tribes)." The Governor's reply, which was translated by Mr. Graham, to the representative Maoris was as follows: —"To Hori Kliku-t-ai and the Waikato tribes of the Maori people. I beg to thank you most heartily for your address 'of welcome. As tho representative of that great Queen, whom you have never seen, but whose hand stretches out all over the world with equal strength, and equal justice, towards hen children of whatever race or nationality, it gives me the greatest satisfaction to see you all together taking part in pleasure and sport, contending together in friendly emulation and peaceful games, forgetting any disagreements which marred the past, and looking forward to a great future of prosperity and advancement, which you shall share equally with your English brother. My visit to you is not merely for pleasure. I wish to be able to tell Her Majesty the Queen of the loyalty and attachment of the whole Maori people, and on these public occasions I can often best become acquainted with your chiefs and all your people. I can assure you our Gracious Sovereign takes the deepest interest in her Maori subjects, as well as in the other vast multitudes who own her beneficent sway, and reap, together with you. the advantages of her just and merciful rule. It is 110 small thing to belong to a world-wide Empire, so let us uphold its honour, and be ready to stand together, not only in peaceful times, but also as one in the day when trouble comcs. I beg to thank you most warmly for your welcome to Lady Ranfurly, my family, and myself, and to assure you of the friendliness which we all feel towards the natives of New Zealand." Along with the address Hori Kukutai presented His Excellency with a native-made taiaha, ornamented with feathers and Maori carving. His Excellency carried the taiaha with him when lie left Mercer in the evening. A number of representative Maoris, including To Whero Whero (King Mahuta's brother) and Hcnare Kaihau, M.H.R., were introduced to the Governor and family, before the vice-regal parly left the station platform. King Mahuta, it was noted, was not among the company of representative Maoris who assembled to welcome the Governor, and it was understood among the Maoris that Mahuta preferred to stay at home, anticipating that lie may have an early opportunity of holding private conference with the Governor, and giving him a more dignified reception than would be possible on a public holiday, such as Saturday. The various Waikato tribes, however, were well represented, and some 50 of them, male and female, engaged in a dance to welcome the Governor. The members of the Kia Ora Hand were gaudily dressed in piupiu and coloured feathers, and the other dancers were attired in all sorts of fantastic costumes. The dance took place just outside the station, the vice-regal party witnessing it from one of the upper windows of the Railway Hotel. Parti Kau, leader of the Kia Ora Band, led the natives through the dance, which, like the majority of Maori dances, had a particular application to the event of the day, the evolutions of Paru Kau and his followers being intended to convey to the Governor the following Maori welcome :—"Tenei te tangaUi puliuru burn nana i tiki mai Whakawhiti te ra Hup.i 11a Nei Kau pani, whiti te ra." Translated into English this might he expressed as follows ■ —"This is the person (the Governor), who comes here to bring tho sunshine among us. He has come and the sun shines." After the dance the Governor and party walked to the wharf, behind three Maori bands, and the day's programme commenced.

THE ROWING EVENTS. The rowing events proved a great attraction, and were watched with keen interest. On the part 0! the clubs, the determination to make the wins somewhat more evenly balanced than last year, and on West End's part to keep up their reputation, was very pronounced, while the. rowing in a new style of beat seemed to invest the races with some degree of uncertainty as to which of the clubs would come out on top." Except for the fact that the Mercer side of the river has he worst of the current, it proved an ideal course for a rowing regatta, there bung a mile of the river without- the slightest bend, thus giving a splendid view of the various races. The smooth water of the Waikato proved an excellent eontcstingplace for the outriggers, and there can be no reasonable doubt that the best crews won every time. The several officers carried out their duties in a most thorough milliner. They were as follows:—Rowing races: Judges, Messrs. W. Jones and I). Miller; starter and umpire, Mr. F. W. Edwards. Swimming races: Judges, Messrs. F. W. Edwards and C Searancke; starters, Messrs. M. Gallery and S. E. Hughes. MAIDEN GIGS (under 10 stone). In clinker outriggers. Ono mile.. St. George's lt.C 1 Auckland R.C 2 West End K.C., No. 1 crew 3 In addition to the placed crews, a No. 2 West End crow, stroked by T. Maxwell, and two Waitemata crews also started. This was tho first race ever contested by Auckland maiden oarsmen in clinker outriggers, and was looked forward to with keen interest. West End (Morpeth's crow) were warm favourites, but St. George's wero fancied by some, and Auckland's four had many admirers. St. George's crew had the best position, the island side of the river, and rowed a very good race. West End No. 1 crew challenged them at the half-mile post, but tho paco was too fast. Auckland's crew put in a claim a little nearer homo, but St. George's won rather easily at the finish, Auckland getting second place, and West End, No. 1 crow, third. TIIO names of tho winning crew aro: G. George (stroke), 11. Litllojohn, S. Kissling, N. Kcano, A. L. Whitley (cox). MAIDEN GIGS (open). In clinker outriggers. Ono mile. West End R.C., No. 1 crow ... 1 Auckland R.C 2 St. George's R.C 3

This event was contested by six crews—two each from Waitomata and West End, and ono each from Auckland and St. George's. Auckland's four had the best position, and West End, No. 1, the worst. Mr. F. W. Edwards got the crews away to a beautiful start. From the very first stroke West End mado the paco very fast, and crossing tho river, took up the pride of position at the half-mile post, Auckland's four being second, St. George's third, and West End, No. 2 crew fourth. After three-fourths of the journey had been traversed, Auckland made a very determined effort to assume the lead, but West End's representatives, rowing as they liked, romped iiome easy winners, Auckland being second, St. George's third. The names of the winning crow are: A. Stephenson (stroke), P. Holland, F. Boyce, J. Blait, and E. Cartor (cox), JUNIOR GIGS (open). In clinker outriggers. One mile and a-quarter. West End R.C 1 Auckland B.C. 2 The third gig race only brought out two competitors—West End and Auckland—Waiteinata's foui being absent. Both clubs had every faith in their crews, and tho issue seemed very doubtful to those not fully acquainted with the members of tho crews. West End's hopes, however, proved well founded, .■jnd their representatives had a very easy win, which was richly deserved, and it is freely stated that during the wholo of their training not one membei of the crew was ever behind time. The names of the winners are: G. O. Stephenson (stroke), J. M. Hickson, C, Stephenson, C. Fricker, and E. Carter (cox). SENIOR GIGS (open). In clinker outriggers. One milo and a-half. St. George's R.C 1 West End R.C ; 2 Tho Waitemata crew did not start, owing to the unavoidable absence of their stroke, M. Keefe. This race proved a very hollow event, the St. George's four winning as they liked, and proving themselves infinitely superior to their opponents. The names of the winning crew are: J. Thomson (stroke), A. G. Busby, G. Nicholson, J. W. Winks, A. L, Whitley \cos). LIGHT-WEIGHT JUNIOR GIGS. In clinker outriggers. One mile and a-quar-ter. West End R.C 1 St. George's R.C ... 2 Auckland R.C ... 3 In this event three crews competed. St. George's were favourites, and their four were expected to make a big bid for the event. West End, however, felt quite confident that Gannon's four w«re equal to the task, and all their clubmates felt quite store that the race would come to theii club. From a very even start West End jumped away, and were never headed, winning the race in good style, St. George's being second, and Auckland third. It was remarked that this makes the eight race won by this crew every event

they have started for since December last year—ll months.- The names of the crew are:—L. Gannon (stroke), A. Ross, C. Sly-1 field, J. 0. Hodges, and E. Carter (cox.) j West End have thus won three of the five events, and St. George's two. Auckland re-1 presentatives obtained three seconds. St. J George's used a boat built by Norton, of j Wellington, while West End's boat was built 1 by Edwards, of Melbourne. A protest was entered on tho ground that West End's boat was less than the proper weieht— and the boat was weighed in the presence of the umpire, Mr. F. W. Edwards, when it was found that she was more ] than 201b over. LADIES' PAIR-OAR RACE. About half-a-mile. Waipa 1 Rawene 2 Other starter: The Waikato. All three boats were well in lino until 100 yds from the post, where tho Waipa crew, answering to tho call of their coxwain, with a capital spurt won by better than a clear length from the Rawene. Tho ladies in the winning boat were tho Misses M. and N. Paterson, rep.'isenting the Ngaraawahia Rowing Club. THE MAORI CANOE RACES. Nothing could have been more interesting to the townsfolk than the Maori canoe races, the skilful manipulation of the "hoe" ipaddlo), the splendid time kept—due mno small measure to the exhortations of the "tongata hautu"and the speed at which the big canoes were propelled through the water exciting the admiration of tho onlookers, while the ludicrous figures cut by the participators in the canoe hurdle races, who, in their wild endeavours to negotiate the obstacles, were frequently toppled o!Ut and submerged in the stream, only to reappear a moment later, paddle in hand, to right their frail craft and resumo the journey, evoked peals of laughter and much good-humoured advice as to how to avert the catastrophe— easily given but difficult to put into practice. The various posts were well filled by the following gentlemen: Judge, Mr. C. Searancko; starter and umpire, Mr. W. Galler; ; assistant starter, To Tawha. CANOE HURDLE RACE (Maori Men). Two in each canoe; about threequarters of a mile over three flights of hurdles, each 15in high. Mapeio ... 1 Roman 2 Kahiraiti 5 Other starters were the Maori and Waiknre. Tho Kahiraiti and Maori singled themselves out before the canoeists had completed a quarter of a mile, and nose and nose raced to tho first hurdle just below the pavilion, where the dusky occupants in the bow shuffled back towards their companions in the stern, end tho canoo skimmed up on the obstacle, where the forward portion hung momentarily suspended until the gesticulating jabbering natives scrambled into tho bow and over toppled the canoes, occupants and all, only to find themselves Scrambling and blowing in the water with their canoes capsized. The canoes were, however, soon righted, and clambering in, the Maoris, by a skilful application of the hoo (paddle), soon bailed out and set out for a second hurdle, where a similar fato awaited them, while the competitors in tho rear were now in a like predicament at the first obstacle, creating no cud of amusement among tho onlookers 011 shore. Tho Mapero being moro skilfully handled, the natives showing themselves more adopt at taking tho water jumps, soon reached the leading canoes, and eventually won comfortably, while tho Roman finished a good second. Tho winning canoe was entered by Karaka Rotana. CANOE RACE (wahines). Two in inch canoe. About, threequarters of a mile over llireo flights of hurdles, each 15in high. Kahiraila 1 Waikarc 2 No others started. The native damsels wero oven less fortunate than their male friends, and not a hurdle but brought (hem to grief, to tho huge delight of the thousands lined along the shores. Pukangu Ptmga and Tiaho, the occupants of the Kahiraiti, after getting over the second hurdle, pushed their canoo ashore, and upending it, cleared it of the water much more quickly than the others who had resorted to the uso of th Ml* paddles, and this strategic move saving considerable lime, enabled them to win comfortably.

BIG WAKATIWAI RACE. Number in each canoo not to exceed 40. /distance, three miles, with two turns. Pupirikaua (Keri Te Paki tribe), 26 men 1 l'aparata (Nga Tamaolio and Ngati Nalio tribes), 40 men 2 Kaiwlia (Kangituataka tribe), 26 men ... 3 No other started. The three canoes were despatched to a splendid start, and the race throughout was of a most exciting character, not more than a length separating the wakatiwais until tho last half-mile was entered upon. The l'aparata and Kaiwha wore slightly in advance of the Pupirikaua before a quarter of a mile had been left behind, and kept in front until the bottom turn, whero the Pupirikaua—whoso crew wero being exhorted to renewed efforts by tho Tongata Ilaulu, upon whom devolves the duty of seeing that tho men keep good tune — be' seen creeping up, and taking the load as they turned for home, managed to win by half-a-dozen yards, after a most exciting setto with the Paparata, tho Kaiwha easing up in tho last 100 yds. The Pupirikaua (otherwise the Republican) is recognised as the crack canoo in tho district, and has previously won several races. TUG-OF-WAR WITH CANOES (for Maoris only). Seven in each canoe. Distance from mid-stream to river bank. Time allowed, ten minutes. Painter (Kooti) 1 Tho competing canoes wero lashed .stern to stern, with a rope some five or six yeards in length, and 011 the word " go" being given, tho occupants commenced paddling in deadly earnest, and for some time neither side gained perceptible (advantage. Eventually, after drifting some distance, the nose of the Painter was turned slightly down stream, and, having something tho best of it, with tho assistance of the current, tho natives in this canoo ultimately succeeded in tugging their opponents to the river bank.

CANOE HURDLE RACE (allcomers). Two in each canoe. Over three flights of hurdles, each 15in high. Distance, about threequarters of a mile. Mapero 1 Maori 2 Roman 3 With tho exception of the winning canoe, tho natives in which negotiated the hurdles without a singlo mishap, tho spectators were afforded another hearty laugh by the antics of tho competitors, who were capsized and were scon floundering about in the water time after time, cutting most ludicrous figures. The Mapere was entered by Karaka Rotana.

BIG WAKATIWAI RACE. Number in each canoe not to exceed 20. Distance, throe miles, with two turns. Kaiwha (Rangituataka tribe) 1 Pupirikaua (Kerei To Paki tribe) 2 Tuakau (Europeans) 3 Other starter, the Paparata. This event was oven more interesting than the previous big wakatiwai raco, the four boats being locked together for the best part of a mile, when the Paparata dropped out. A little further on the Kaiwha and Pupirikaua drew away from the Tuakau, and running almost noso and noso over the remaining distance, the bow of the Kaiwha was just half-a-dozen feet in front of the Pupirikaua as they passed the winning-post, the Tuakau some lengths away third. The winning canoe was manned by 19 natives. WAKATIWAI RACE (wahines). Twelve in each canoe, Distance, one mile, with a turn. Papata 1 Te Kauri 2 No others started. The damsels in the Papata, wearing garments more varied than the colours of the rainbow, kept _ uplendid time, and paddling throughout with great expertness, won rather easily. CANOE FLAT RACE (open). Two in each canoe. Distance, one mile, with a turn. Powhiri J Churchill 2 Tomata 3 Won after a good race, the winning boat being entered by Karaka Rotana. THE SWIMMING EVENTS. 220 YDS SWIMMING RACE (handicap). W. Kenny, scratch 1 V. Lindberg, scratch 2 A. Bishop, 14s 3 Other starters were: T. V. Frost, 155.; G. Douglas, 165.; P. Cronin, 18s.; J. Diamond, 20s. After f well-contested race, in which no less than four of the competitors were almost abreast in the last dozen yards, Kenny was awarded first place, Lindberg, who was second, failing to pass the line, through a misunderstanding, thus losing the principal prize. 440 YDS SWIMMING RACE (handicap). A. Bishop, 26s 1 The only competitors at the post to time were Bishop and Kenny (scratch) and these were despatched without waiting for the others. Kenny reached Bishop at the halfway post at tho opposite side of the river (round which they had to swim) but both having been carried some yards down stream ty the current, had great difficulty in regaining the markboat, and Kenny, not completing the correct course, Bishop was awarded the race. Tyler, who started some time after both competitors mentioned, swum the proper course in fine style, finishing first,, but was disqualified, owing to his not having' been officially started. .