NGARUAWAHIA REGATTA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20823, 16 March 1931, Page 12

NGARUAWAHIA REGATTA

SUCCESSFUL CARNIVAL.

MAORI CANOE EVENTS

ROWING AND DANCING

• [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT."]

HAMILTON. Sunday.

Large crowds thronged the banks of the Waikato River at its junction with the Waipa yesterday on the occasion of the 35th annual Ngaruawahia regatta. Tho carnival proved one of the most successful yet held by tho Regatta Association and although the attendance, about 14,000, was several thousands short of tho figures for the previous two years, tho total number of entries in the competitions represented a decided increase. The weather was fine.

From an early hour the grounds presented a lively scene, a miniature canvas town, with its multitude of showmen, having sprung up overnight. Hundreds of motor-cars arrived from outlying districts during the day, the neighbouring streets being densely packed with vehicles of all descriptions. Special trains from Auckland, Rotorua, Thames. Te Kuiti and Cambridge and an excursion steamer from Hamilton, all of which were well patronised, added their quota to the number of visitors. The bank of tho river formed an excellent natural grandstand, from which to view tho events, tho liakas and pois being performed on a punt moored close to the shore.

A particularly pleasing feature of the gathering was tlio large number of entrants who competed in tlio Maori events, upon which tlio popularity of the regatta to a great extent depends. In addition to local natives, a party of about 60 Arawas, including 40 women from Rotorua, took part in exhibitions of hakas and poi dancing. A novel and interesting item was a poi dance by Maori children, the pupils of Princess To Puca, of Ngaruawaliia.

Of chief interest on the programme were the canoe hurdle races, (lie frequent mishaps while taking tho obstacles keeping the spectators thoroughly amused. Tho historic chase for the bride and the war canoe race, in which four canoes manned with from 16 to 20 warriors, took part, were novel features and afforded a glimpse of tho past, when other canoes on a less peaceful mission were on tho river.

The rowing events again proved very successful, 49 entries from eight different clubs being received. Tho principal race, tho senior fours for tho Ngaruawahia Challenge Shield, was won by the Hamilton Rowing Club after a hard fight against North Shore, which camo second. Tho handicap singles was won by W. Turner, of Tanranga, the Dominion champion. In this event the Hamilton Club's best-and-best boat, rowed by I. W. St. Clair, fouled a snag and was considerably damaged on the bottom. W. A. Stevenson, of Waitemata, and F. Conway, of West End. could not clear St. Clair's boat and Ihe three were unable to coinplefo the course.

A number of competitions were also held bv the South Auckland Piping and Dancing Association and these attracted good entries. No speed-boat or outboard events were liehU

The following are the results: — MAORI EVENTS.

.Girls' f'nnoe Race.—O.K., 3; Kimiliia, 2 Kiniora, 3.

Canoe Hurdle Race, under niul over.— 0.K.. I; Mercer, 2; Kimiliia. 3. AVa(lines' Cnnoe Race.—O.K.. 1; Kimiliia.

Men's Kopnpa 2; Maurea, 3.

He Kmvliaki Tnnmliino (Chase for the Bride).—Maurea, 1; Para Paniki, 2; Punpia, 3.

Oanoo Hurdlo Race, men and women.— 0.K., 1; 'Rulnipnro. 2; Kimihia, 3. "VVn r Canoe Race.—Maurea. 1; Funtra, 2- Ngnruawahin, 3; I'nra Pnniki. ■!. Mounted Swimming Race.—J. Kane, ] and 3; S. Cronin, 2. ROWING.

Maiden Fours, one mile.—Waitemata (T. C. Coinvay. D. Smith. P. J. 0. Mason, A. Graham), 1; West End (M. Conway, X. .Terrome, D. Stotter. J. Parsons), 2: Tauranga (S. Smith, W. Teasey, F. Lysaght, E. Fletcher), 3. Waitemata won easily by three lengths, Tauranga being a length further back. Maiden Double Sculls, one mile.—North Shore (W. Seogar, L. B. McCftilum), 1: Hamilton (R. Morpeth, I. Duncan), 2; West End (J. Haylock. M. Taylor), 3. Won by two lengths, with a length between second and third. 1 Junior Pair Oars. one and a-half miles.— Waitemata (J. 11. Beesley, G. Thompson), 1; Taurangn (C. Cameron, A. R. Cullimore), 2; West End (G. Conway. V. McFarlane), 3. Waitemata led throughout, to win by a length and a-half, the same distance separating second and third. Maiden Fours, open.—Auckland (S. Scott, O. Chamberlain, J. McComish, R. Porter), 1 ; St. George's (J. R. 11. Biss, P. Williams, J. Coote, G. H. Biss), 2: Waitemata (R. Smith, N. B. Hunt, T. C. Conway, A. Graliarn), 3. Won by four lengths, with half a length between second and third. Handicap Single Sculls.—Tauranga (W. Turner), scr, 1; North Shore (W. Dean), 20s, 2; Hamilton (E. A. Waters), 14s, 3. Won by about six inches, with third boat half a length away.

Junior Fours, one and n-hnlf miles.—Hamilton (E. Attwood, I. Duncan. J. C. Baiter, J. Graham), 1 ; St. George's (,T. R. H. Biss, P. Williams. J. Coote, G. H. Biss), 2. Won by two lengths. Maiden Pair Oars, one mile.—Waitemata (R. Smith, N. B. Hunt), 1; West End (R. Witten. H. Nowcombe). 2: Hamilton (R. Morpeth. N. Mitchell). 3. Won by two and a-half lengths, with a length between second and third. Senior Fours, for Ngaruawama Challonco Shield, two miles. —Hamilton (N. Pope, B. Sandos, W. Bayley, E. Waters), 1; North Sliore (E. Cotes, L. B. McCallum. W. Seagar, C. Oliver), 2; Waitomnta (C. G. Fearon, W. A. Stevenson. W. H. Eaddy, L. Paterson). 3. Won by half a length, with Waitemata well behind. Youths' Fours.—Auckland (S. Scott, C. Chamberlain. P. Hewlett, V. Corbett). 1; West End (M. Conway, A. Dalton, E. Plomfield, N. .Terrome), 2. Won by a length.

PIPING AND DANCING

Marches, open.—D. Matheson, 1; J. Robertson, 2; D. Ferguson. 3. B grade: L. Amor, 1; Flora McKenzie, 2; W. McKenzie, 3. Strathspeys and Reels, open.— D. Ferguson, 1; D. MathesO'i, 2: J. Robertson. 3. Slow Airs, open.—D. Ferguson and D. Matheson, equal, 1 • J. Robertson, 3. B giado: Flora McKenzie, 1; L. Amor, 2: F. A. McKenzie. 3.

Highland Flinc. tinder 13. S. Wallace, 1: O. Evans, 2; .T. Clark, .1. Under 10: A. Bocherty, 1; B. Freeborn, 2; IT. Sinton, 3. Novice: Joan Daniels, 1; .Toan Tucker, 2; Thelrna Lour, 1!. Over 1(5: W, Lockwood, 1; M. Laurenson, 2; TC. OWn, 3. Local novico ■ J. Laurenson, 1; G. Scott, 2- P. Oliver, .1. Sword Dunce, under 1:5.—0. Evans, 1; S. Wallace, 2; .T, Clark, 3. Under 1Q: U. Freeborn. 1: A. Docherty, 2: 11. Sinton, 3. Sean Truibliuis, over 1(5. —B. McDonald, 1; M. Laurenson, 2; E. Olson, .1. Under 13: R. Doclierly, 1: P Boyle, 2; J. Clark, 3.

Hieidand Peel, under 10.— G. Carr, 1; IT. Sinton, 2; T{. Freeborn. 3. Under 13: S. Wallace, 1; .T. Clark, 2; P. I'oyle, 3. Trish .Tin. over 10.—A McCownn, 1; E. Olson, 2: K. Peid, 3. Under 10: IT. Sinton, 1: P. Freeborn. 2; L. Kay. 3. Sailors' Hornpipe, ovor 10. —B. McDonald. 1: A. McCownn. 2: M. Laurenson. 3. Under 1(5: R. Freeborn. 1: G. Cain. 2; Tl. Sinton, I).