KAWHIA NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12760, 10 January 1905, Page 6

KAWHIA NEWS.

TUB weather 011 New Year's Day was not any better in Kawhia than it seems to have been in other parts of Now Zealand, and when the morning of the regatta broke it was most, evident that the races could not take place. Tho temperature was so low that most of the visitors, anil those who would have been perambulating the bcach, spent tho day over the fire in warm rooms, thankful that they were not out in the hail and rain that beat on the windows. The Kia Ora wan weatherbound in Raglan, and the telegraph wires were obstructed, so that Kawhia was properly isolated; nor was telegraphic! communication re-established till Friday at noon, at which time the Kia Ora. arrived and brought the first news of the capitulation of Port Arthur. On Tuesday the weather overhead bad cleared, tint the wind was still very liis'b. and although the Kawhia. bar was fairly smooth tne Italian bar was still unncgotiable. The sports were held at Ivlaketu in the beautifully sheltered basin which constitutes the recreation ground, and the events went off without a. hitch. Mr. F. A. Pearson acted its starter, and Mr. D'Arey Hamilton and Dr. C. (J. Jenkins as judges; Messrs. F. C. Fa'.wasser and Pearson were handicappels, ami so well did they do their work that in almost every event the finishes were most even. Wednesday was very fine, and although the wind was perhaps a little too brisk for small boats the yachts sailed well and were evenly matched. The Kawhia Band, which lias been reconstructed, played throughout the two days, and enlivened the proceedings. The steamer not coming in made a great difference, of course, but there was a large attendance 011 both days. Thursday was a. perfect day, and all the launches took those fond of picnicking to li'akaunui, where a. most enjoyable day was spent anions the oysters and the cherry groves. Many of the parties visited the limestone caves, and explored the long chain-, tiers which ramify under the hills. The launches returned about dusk, and tile picnicker#, loaded with cherries, etc., and well sunburnt, finished the evening- by attending the kinematograph company's entertainment. The three nights previous there was a ball each evening, and as dancing was kept up till after two o'clock on each occasion we are all fairly tired and anxious to get to work again.