THE MERCER REGATTA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19567, 21 February 1927, Page 15

THE MERCER REGATTA.

KEEN ROWING CONTESTS. MANY INTERESTING EVENTS. HIGH STANDARD REACHED. [.BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN COKRESPONDENT. | MERCER, Saturday. Tho annual regatta on the Waikato Itiver at Mercer took place to-day in fine weather. The attendance was estimated at about 2000 spectators and the river bank was lined with people from the town wharf for about half a mile downstream. A good standard was reached in the rowing events, for which record entries had been received and nearly all were keenly contested. There were eight Auckland Itowing Association championship events. The course was downstream. The Maori canoe races, mostly over hurdles, the horse swimming race, and other novelty events caused considerable entertainment. A decided thrill was provided by the launch race, the finish of which resolved itself into a contest between two speed boats, tho Baby D and the Isabel. The latter, with handicap, was in front of the Baby D, which, travelling at about 35 miles an hour, gradually gained on her, but could not pass her until just past the finishing line. Music was provided by the T.P.M. native party, ■which also gave an exhibition of poi dancing. adding a charming touch to the day's proceedings. Results were as follow: Maiden Fours, lOst and under, about one mile.—Auckland (G. Jonson, It. Martin. L. Hall. G. Field), 1; North Shore (E. Thome, D. Townsend, W. Seagar, B. McCallum), 2; St. George's (G. T. Kellewey, J. Cooke, R. Gooding. V. Davies), 3. Eight crews competed. Won by two length, with tho third boat another length away. Maiden Double Sculls (Farmer Cup), about one mile). —Tauranga (C. Haua and G. Lindel), 1; St. George's (11. Hulme and K. Page), 2; North Shore (D. Davies and W. Dean), 3. Six crews competed. Won by 1J lengths, with a length between second and third. Maiden Fours, open weight (Dewar Shield) about one mile.—Hamilton (N. Pope, 11. Edmonds, If. Hill, H. Lane), 1: Auckland (R.. Stacy, A. C. Andrews. L. Hall. J. McCormish), 2; West End (C. J. Wright, W. G. Bloxhani, G. Dowling, W. Macredie), 3. Nino crews competed. Won by I}, lengths with the same distance between second and third. Junior Double Sculls, about li miles.— Waitemata (J. A. Stewart and J. M. Stevenson), 1; Hamilton (G. St. Clair and G. Stewart), 2. The only competitors. Won by_ half a. length. Senior Fours.—Waitemata (T. Johnson, L. E. Brooker, N. Doubleday and D. Smith). Only ono crew started. They rowed over the course to Qualify for the cup provided by tho Auckland Rowing Association for this event.Maiden Single Sculls, about ono mile.— H. Edmonds (Hamilton), 1; D. Hume (St. George's), '2; K. D Page (St. George's), 3. Five started. Edmonds finished strongly and beat Hume by two lengths. Junior Fours, open (Seale Cup), about 1| miles.—North Shore (D. Davies, W. Meredith. W. Dean, K. Halm), 1; St. George's (W. Bates. F. Solomon, L. Schrafft, H. Jackson) 2; Hamilton (G. Stewart, E. A. Waters, N. Pope, A. Ross), 3. Five crews competed. Won by half a length, with three lengths between second and third. Maiden Pair Oar (Marriner Cup), about 1 mile.—Tauranga <C. Haua and G. Lindel).l; West End (C. J. Wright and W. G. Bloxhani). 2: Hamilton*'(N. Pope and A. ROS3), 3. Eight crews competed. Won by threequarters of a length, with alquarter of a length between second and third. Handicap Single Sculls.—E. A. Waters (Hamilton), 1; W. A. Stevenson (Waitemata ), 2. Seven started. Won by 1J lengths. Youths' Fours. about 1 mile.—St.. George's (M. Simmons, F Solomon. W. Bates, J. Coote), 1: Hamilton (G-. Stewart, E. A. Waters, N. Pope. A. Ross), 2: Mercer (A. Pitt, J. Baker. L. Allan, L. Parsons), 3. Won by three-ouarters of a length, with a'f)oi*t four lengths between second and third. Junior Pair Oars, about lj miles.—Hamilton (E. A. Waters and F. G. Corlett), 1; Waitemata (J. B. C'otterill and W. J. Lowe), 2. Three crews started. Handicap Launch Race.—E. Beamish's Isabel, 1; W. G. Oliver's Baby D, 2; W. Millard's Gladys. 3. Five started. MAORI CANOE RACES. Maori Canoe Hurdle Race, two men in each canoe —W. and G. Macky, 1; W. Buck and J. Kapua, 2. Seven started. Maori Canoe Hurdle Race, one man and one waliino in each canoe.—W. Mackey and partner, 1; Tuki and partner, 2. Five started. Maori Canoe Race, two men blindfolded in each canoe.—Tuki and mate, 1; W. Bunk and mate. 2. Five started. Maori Canoe Hurdle Race two wahines in each canoe.—Misses H. Mackey and Jurv, 1; Mrs. Tuki and partner. 2. Horse Swimmmig Race.—F. Mackey. 1; N. Douglas. 2. Six competitors.