NGARUAWAHIA REGATTA

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13701, 18 March 1908, Page 8

NGARUAWAHIA REGATTA

A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. I R EST I. X(i MAORI V N TS. Ihk great country aquatic event of tht> year, |.],e Ngaruawahia Regatta, took place yesterday under most, favourable weather and other conditions. Tim day whs perfect, and a, more successful earnival has not, been hold at Ngaruawahia 'J he spot seled.-H for th- regatta i- ,-,,, almost ideal one for the spectators for the junction of tin- Waikato anil Waipa Rivers I.Mm.- a .harming peninsula, and enables the great majority 01 the specta-' tors to see the slatting and finishing of all the Maori events and th,. finish of th) other events, while the high bridge ovoi the Waipa, just. at. Iho finishing post, i another advantage. The attendance wti the largest seen for many years, and till '.'unction was a financial as well as a i aquatic success. Special trains were mi Iron, Auckland, Thames, Waihi, Rotorual a.nd King Country line-, and all wer« packed, many waggons, fitted up for th.j occasion, being utilised, li was estimated] that about 10,000 people were present, and" tin' hustling throng provided an interesting picture. J' The Maori events proved the main, feature of th. regalia. Large prizes were' offered in all the Maori events* and the natives entered into the sport with the greatest enthusiasm. The large Maori wsrl . canoe tares, with good entries and fine handicapping, resulted in splendid cottests. The crews consisted of from 27 t, 40 paddlers, and the events created coisiderable enthusiasm amongst the speot,. tors. The committee make a, speciality <f the canoe parade, with which the »r<gramme was opened, and this was a vet" fine, sight. The. Maori hakas and pc dances were also very interesting. The other events were principally row ing contests, and though the Auckland clubs were not represented so fully as on other occasions fine: taring was witnessed. Ngaruawahia, Hamilton., and Hotorua were well represented. Hi? Excellency the Governor had in tended to be present, but another engagement prevented his attendance. Anions! those present, were the Prime Minister (.Sir Joseph Ward), the Hon. J. Carroll, and Messrs. H. J. Greenslade, A. Kidd, F. \\. Lang, C. H. Poole, and H. Kaihati, M.P.'s. Towards the end of the carnivJ the Prime Minister and party were entertained at a social in the Public- Hall! Sir Joseph Ward, in replying to the toast of his health, congratulated the committed on the success of the regatta. While in England he saw the Henley Regatta, ant 4 he compared the Nganiawahia carnival favourably with it. In the course of some remarks made bi members of the Regatta Committee, in repli to a toast, it was suggested that the Go vernment should give the Regatta Com, mittee a subsidy. They recognised thai, the Railway Department assisted them ma terially, but the regatta induced the, people to travel, and it was considered that some further help could be given by the Government, especially for the Maori, events, for which, very large prizes, were!, given. L The results of the contests are as follows :— r He Haka: Papawharanni, 1. Three tribes competed. Canoe Hurdle Race (men): Tini Tukiri and ** Poto Tukiri. 1; Wi Maki. 2; Timoti Rotana.' 3. Five canoes of two men each competed and made a good race, but the -winners came out near the post and won by a couple of lengths. War Canoe Race (for crews of not less than 20 men): Ngati-Rangimahora. 37 paddles (handicap 33ft), 1; Njrati-Whawhakia, 27 paddles (handicap five chains). 2; Ngati-Pikian. 40 paddles (handicap 10 chains), 3. Nga.iIline (on scratch) did not start. After goiigr a short distance the canoes closed up ard a very fine struggle was witnessed to tie post. Canoe Race (girls only, one girl in eacl canoe): fioka Hone, 1; If at ire Awa. 2; Emma Karena, ,5. Five competed. An interesting contest and close finish. • ■_/ Canoe Hurdle Race (wahines): Whakaara and Hina, 1; Kirikowhui and Pare, 2; Rimi Hone, 3. Only the three started. The contest was an amusing and well-contested one. much skill being shown in negotiating the . hurdles. Te Kawhaki Tamahine ('! Chase fcr a Bride"): Ngati-Naho crew, I; Ngati-Whavha- « kia crew,, 2. Four competed. An interesting • and well-contested race. Poi Dance (for companies of not less than 10 girls): Tuhourangi-Hakereti poi dancer.-. 1; Papawkaranui poi dancers. 2. Only the two competed. A fine display with given. the movements being executed with singular grace. Canoe Hurdle Race (man and woman): Rina Hone, 1; Whakaara, 2: Powhiri Rotana,-5. Five crews competed. A splendid contest all the way War Canoe Race (Waikato Handicap). For crews of not less than 20 men: >*gati-Rangi- ' makora crew (37 paddles), 1; Ngati.-Whawha-Ma crew (27 paddles',, 2; Ngati-Pikiao crew (40 paddles). 3. The winning tribe, who were in the scratch boat, made a great race of.it all the way, but the finish was very exciting. the three boats being bunched. Canoe Hurdle Race (men). Under and over; canoes to go over, men under hurdles: Poto Tukiri and Tini Tukiri, 1. Five crews competed. A good content. Mounted Swimming Race (riders must enter and leave the water on horseback; acros* Waikato River): Taika, 1; Tiaki, 2. Ter competed. Boys' Boat Race (for boys 16 years am Under; boats made by competitors.-: X. Lynch, 3; C. Kay, 2. Four competed. Won easily. Ladies*' Pair Oar Race {distance about half-a-mile): Misses W. Fuller and L. Graves, 1: Misses N. Lockie and N. O'Connor. 2; Misses P. Lockie and N. Moffitt, 3; Misses A. Myles and A. Walsh. 4. All are members of the Ngaruawahia Club. Won by two lengths. Maiden Gigs (lOst and under). Distance, about one mile: Waitemata Boating Club— W. Scale (stroke). L. Bridson (3), W. Heath 12), F. Bond (l)-.l; Hamilton Bowing ClubA. G. McKenzie (stroke), F. S- Tyerman (3). R. Bridgman (2), A. Manning (1), B. Wilson (cox)—2;. llotorua R.C. (Harker, stroke*, 3. . Ngaruawahia B.C. and West End R.C. also started.' From a good start Waitemata soon got to the front, and were never headed winning easily by two lengths. The othet crews were close together and made a good iinis-s-Maiden Gigs (open weights). Distance, about one mile: West End Rowing Club— Dixon (stroke). E. Kennellv (3). J. Grundy (2). F. Baker (D—l; Hamilton Rowing Club— Snail (stroke). A. Mears (3), R. Butterworth (2). R. ('rati (D— .St. George's blowing Club (H Steele, stroke). 3- Waitemata B.C. and Xsra:rua,wania B.C. also competed. WaitematH got the best of the start, and so. increased their lead to about the a - e:iuUis. They then changed their course to near the bank, but. when they met the Waipa and Waikato current West, End's boat fouled them, and Automata partially stopped rowing, with the result that West Knd got a length's start. A fine race to the post saw West End de teat Waitemata by a canvas, but the lattei were disqualified for fouling West End. Junior <iit,-8 (lOst and under-. Distance, about 1; miles: West Knd Rowing Club—< Carter (stroke). I. Kelly (3), T. Blomfjeld (2. •V. Carlaw (1)—1; Ngaruawahia. Rowing Club —A. Lockio. (stroke!. V. Gillander (3), W. Wilson (2), A. Kay (I)—2. Only the two crew* started. Won all the war. passing the post two lengths ahead. Junior Gigs (open weights). Distance. about li miles: Ngaruawahia Rowing Club A. Lockie (stroke), R. Fuller (3*. W. Stubbing (2). A. Kay (11-l; West End Rowing Club (No. lt-C. Carter (stroke). I. Kelly ■:• . I. Blomfield (2), A. Carlaw Hi -2: West End Rowing Club (No. 2) also started. Ngaruawahia led all the. war, and gained a populai win, securing the verdict bv three length? A length separated second and third. Waikato Challenge Shield. About one mile: Ngaruawahia Rowing Club—-A. Locki* (stroke). R. Fuller (3i. W. Stubbing l2>. AKay (lh-1; Hamilton Rowing (Tub—A. M. McKenzie (stroke), S. F. Tyerman (3), H. Bridgman (2), A. Manning (1). 2. Only the two crews competed. Won by two lengths, all the way. Single. Sculls (...pen weights 1 . About one mile and a-half: Waitemata Boating Club (T. Richards), 1: Kopu Rowing Club A. Clark), 2; St. George's Rowing Club (C. V.. Stone), 3. W. West-ray (W.H.C.) also competed. Richards upheld his championship form, and won by several length?. Stone was a length away third. West ray did not finish. Senior Gigs (open weights). About t-W" miles: St. George's Rowing Club—('. E. Stone. (stroke). W. Smith (3). 11. 15. Harper i2). .1. .1. Timmins (11—1; Ngaruawahia Rowing Club—A. Lockie (stroke'. R. Fuller ioi, W Stubbing (2), A. Kay (1)— These were th« only crews to finish. 'lhe contest between them was a fine one, St. George's winning by half-a-length.