MERCER REGATTA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11826, 2 December 1901, Page 6

MERCER REGATTA.

MAORI AND PAKEHA ON THE WAIKATO. EXCITING CANOE RACES. O.VCE a year the prettily-situated village of Mercer on the banks of the swift Waikato, throws off its wonted air of quiet, and becomes the scene of a huge aquatic picnic for both town and country folk. The busy hum of flax and saw mills is changed for the blare of a brass band; and on the Waikato Maori and pakeha are afloat, the former in his shapely, long, low canoe, and the latter in his steam launch, row-boat, and racing skiff. All'along the bank are knots of picnickers, and troops of toe-looking Maori men. Maori matrons, and pretty smiling Maori girls, wonderfully and fearfully arrayed. Yonder, for instance, are two, evidently sisters, whose cerise blouses and skirts, bright blue bow ties (plenty of ribbon), white shoes, and a dash of yellow in their hats, strike the eye somewhat forcibly. The townsfolk find plenty to amuse on land as well as on the water. Mahuta's Royal Band discourses pakeha music from the vantage point of a railway truck ; along the river front are side shows, shooting galleries, and the like, while a dozen cheap jacks tempt the natives with jewellery, and finery, which if it be as good as it is gaudy, is worth double the money they extract. The swift flowing willow-fringed river sparkles beneath the ardent sun as it goes down to meet the tide, a broad band of silver in a setting of green fields and stretches of bush. The summer heat is tempered by a gentle south-west breeze, just strong enough to keep the flags fluttering. It is an ideal day for a holiday. Such were the conditions which favoured the annual Mercer Maori Regatta on Saturday. Naturally hundreds of Aucklanders took advantage *of the glorious day, and journeyed up to the river township by the special trains which were put up.. Together with the visitors from the surrounding districts and the Maoris, they made a total of fully 3000 people. Each year the officials seem to improve the management of this carnival and on Saturday there was nothing beyond one or two unavoidable delays that could be criticised. Messrs. C- T. Edwards and R. H. Bourke, the lion, secretaries, worked very hard, and received splendid assistance from the committee. Other officials who deserve mention for their efforts to make ' a success of the gathering were Messrs. D. C. Sheffield and R. Logan, jun,, the judges, and Messrs. M. Gallery and A. Gold water, the starters, all or whom gave every satisfaction. THE MAORI RACES. Naturally the Maori events were the feature of the day, and they were specially good this year. The big canoe race was the best that has been seen on the river for years. The programme opened with a fine proces*sion of canoes, in which four large and about a dozen small ones took part. Next came a wakatiwai race for wahines. The distance was about a mile, with two turns. 'J lie Porangi Potae (mad boat) and the Erueti (Edwards), each paddled by some seven or eight substantial-looking dusky ladies, tried conclusions, and the Erueti, which is a new boat, had an easy win over her rival with the suggestive name. ■ This was followed by a canoe hurdle race for men. The course was not quite a mile long, with three hurdles. Four canoes, each manned by two paddlers, competed. Ivaraka Rotana and Kerapa, who have proved the winners at similar contests for several years past, again proved too much for the rest of J:he fleet, and won easily. All the canoes took the first hurdle (raised some 15in above the water) beautifully without mishap. They were not so successful at the next, and the last, which was somewhat higher than the others, gave them all a ducking. The Tuakau (entered by ToEikuri) was second, and the Hikurere (entered by Wi Maki) third. More amusement was "created by a similar race for the wahines. Two plucky women in the Bluejacket negotiated the two first obstacles splendidly, but, like their " worser halves," floundered hopelessly at the third. The Hiknrere with two good-looking girls on board, made frequent and violent attacks on the first hurdle, but all to no purpose. Their attempts were so full of fun and were so determined, however, that they were given second prize.

Then followed the big canoe race, called in these degenerate days a war canoe. There were four entries, ranging from 60ft to 80ft in length. Two of them, the Wanui-a-Tane and the Matiu Hanata, were new, having been built this year on the river. The first named, which was about 80ft long, was built at Taupiri. She is a fine model, and when properly seasoned should be fast. The Matiu Hanata (Matthew Hunter) is a Mercerbuilt canoe some 60ft in length. The Paparata, which has been on the river for the last 20 years, was lying on the bank a few weeks ago almost a wreck, but a few patches and a new topside amidships made a wonderful difference, and the old crack was once more skimming over the water on Saturday. The other entry was the speedy Whawhakia, from Huntly. In the Wanui-a-Tane there were 38 men, in the Matiu Hanata 37, in the Paparata 39, and in the Whawhakia 25. The course was two miles, with two turns, and was in full view of the banks. A fine start was effected, and the long rows of muscular brown men plunging their poised paddles into the water at the sound of the starting gun was a stirring sight. Steadily they passed up to the first turn, and then, glided swiftly down past the spectator-alined banks on the rapid cmrent. Dip, dip, dip, went the pointed paddles in perfect time, as the canoes all in a bunch swept past. Away down stream they turned in their own lengths and then commenced the battle against the current. The new canoes, still full of sap, were too heavy, and when the paddles began to fly, and the water turn from the sharp prows in two long silver curls, they were left in the rear. The old Paparata, whose long red sides glistened in the sunlight, and the white-painted Whawhakia, were soon fighting out the coveted £25 first prize, and the race became a duel between these old rivals. End-on, with the spearlike paddles flourishing on either side, they looked for all the world like huge centipedes. Urged on by vigorous gestures, and encouraging cries from the excited fuglemen standing amidships, above the row of black heads and bent brown backs, the paddlers churned the water with their " hoes" till the canoes tore through the water and sent wide eddies to either bank, which rudely stirred the tips of the graceful weeping willows drooping into the river. " Paparata !" and "Whawhakia!" were alternately shouted by Maori partisans, and the two straining craft surge along to the winning post, prow and prow for a quarter of a mile. Fifteen yards from the finish the Whawhakias put on an extra spurt, and snatched a victory by six narrow feet from the Paparata, the Matiu Hanata being third. It was a splendid race, and a most exciting finish.

Later in the day the same canoes met in a handicap race over the same course. The YV anni received 405., the Matiu 205., the Paparata 35., and the Whawhakia was placed on scratch. After the first turn the canoes paddled down stream in pairs, the new boats leading, and the old boats following 1 at a distance of some 30yds. It was easy going till the second turn, and all four paddled as if for dear life. There was a big gap between the new and old boats, and the latter set to the work of overhauling their rivals in deadly earnest. It was seen a good way down stream that the Matin Hanata must win. but the other three were racing without half-a-length difference between them, and ;• great fight ensued for second place. It was more exciting than the iirst race. All eyes were concentrated on the wallowing trio, and there was a great shouting while the last 20ft were being covered. The Matiu Hanata passed over the line a winner by a clear length. Paparata, Wliawhakia, and Wanui-a-Tane were racing nearly in a line. A matter of a few yards from the post the Paparata came with a rush that almost lifted her out of the water, and by sft or 6t't her red prow caught the judge's eye before the Wliawhakia and Wanui-a-Tane Hashed past a dead-heat for third place.

ROWING AND SWIMMING EVENTS. The pakeha events provided some good sport. In past years West End have practically had things all their own way, but on Saturday the honours wore very evenly divided, so the contests were much more interesting than usual from this fact alouC. Each of the competing clubs, except North

Shore, scored a first during tho day, and, in addition, West End carried off a second and two thirds, Auckland two seconds, automata and St. George's each a second, and North Shore a third. Details of the cvotit3 follow: — ... Maiden Fours (under lOst), one mile, with tho stream; Ngaruawahia-—A. Lock i (stroke), V. Gillander, E. Rath bo no, A. A. Kay— West End—D. V. Banna (stroke), A. M. Wilson, W. E. Cossar, 11. Notion--2; North Shore— Cave (stroke), Macindoe, 11. D. Burgess, D. Richardson—3. When the boats were getting into position for tho start one of tho Waitemata crews and St. George's had tho misfortune to foul, with the result that Waitcmata's boat (which happened to be an old one) was smashed up. The St. George's boat was also slightly damaged, but not sufficiently to put her out of the race. Seven boats competed, and a very pretty sight they made coming down the river. They all kept well together from tho start, and right down to the wharf the result was a very open one. About 100 yds from the post Ngaruawahia put on a spurt, and, challenging West End, rowed in winners by tho narrow margin of half-a-length. North Shore were close up third, and the rest of the crews were not far behind. This was probably the most popular win of the day among rowing men. who were very pleased to see the country club take first honours. The Ngaruawahia crew well deserved their success.

Maiden Fours (open), ono mile, with the stream): Auckland—D. Fort (stroke). Arch, G. Neville, G. Griffin— Waitemata A. Smith (stroke), D. Bell, W. Stevens, A. C. Stead—2: West End—C. J. Franklin (stroke), D. W. Etui lop, C. Wilson, J. A. Stephen—3. Six crew? wero despatched by the start©., in this race. Auckland, who wero pulling splendidly together, ,'cd for the greater part of tho course, and won by a good length from Waitemata. West End pushed the second boat towards the finish, but only succeeded in getting a. third. North Shore we-ro in close attendance fourth.

Junto, Fours (under lOst). one mile and a-quarter, with the stream : West End—J. H. Bigclow (stroke), 11. N. Cossar, W. A. Graham, J. C. Hodgesand Ngaruawahia—A. Lockie (stroke), V. Gillander, E. Rathbonc, A. A. Kay— for first place ; St. George's A. Black (stroke), A. .Tagger, D. Allen, R. Thornes2; Waitemata— Payne (stroke), E. Brewin, J. G. Bond, F. Brewin— 3. Ngaruawahia led during most of the latter half of the race, but West End were close up, and could liavo won had they made their effort soonei. They left it too late, ,however, and Ngaruawahia made a. dead-heat of it. St. George's wore a couple of lengths away second. The clubs who tied for first prize decided to divide the money. Junior Fours (open), one mil© and aquarter, with the stream: WaitemataP. J. Bailey (stroke), G. Nicholson, A. Annan, 'i. Brown lee 1; Auckland—H. H. Bach (stroke), M. M. Anderson, N. Wade, 11. MoKnight' -2. West End. the only other entry, did not start. Waitemata won comfortably by a length. Senior Gigs, one mile and a-half, with the stream: St. George's—T. Richards (stroke), 11. B. Armitage, J. Thomson, 0. E. Stone 1; Auckland— 11. Bach (stroke), M. Anderson, N. Wade, H. McKnight2; West EndA. Littleproud (stroke), G. O. Stephenson, Jos. Carder, Bert Stephenson3. Littleproud's crew were leading at the wharf, but had to give way to St. George's, who wore pulling a fine long stroke, and won with ease. Auckland shot into second place, with West End a good third. West End also had a second crew entered. Ladies' Pair-oar Race: Ngaruawahia and Waitemata entered for this event, but die town pair did not utart, and Misses Paterson and Kellow, who represented Ngaruawahia, rowed over the course alone.

200 Yds Swimming Race, with the stream: F. Warbrick, 95., 1; H. S. Hall, 65., and G. A. Tyler (scratch), tied fo. second place. Seven started. Tyler, the scratch man, was conceding the limit man 145., and made a good race of it for second place. Greasy Boom: There were four entries. Bishop, Linberg, and Warbrick each reached the end and shared the prize money.