WAIKAREMOANA REGATTA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17452, 29 December 1930, Page 12

WAIKAREMOANA REGATTA

MOST SUCCESSFUL DAY A RECORD CROWD (Herald Correspondent.) Tho second annual regatta of the Waikaremoana Regatta Club was held on Boxing Day at the landing, Lake House, and proved to be very successful and enjoyable. The weather was perfect, a cloudless sky and brilliant sunshine making tho day an ideal one in every respect. The abundant nnti\c bush surrounding the lake afforded ample shelter for the many camping and picnicking parties which lined the shores for some distance. J here was easily a record attendance, which must have gladdened the hearts of all concerned. Just on 200 motor vehicles were counted from Lake House to a spot nearly half a mile past the landing, and it was estimated that fully 1000 people must have been present. Considering that the regatta, was held at a spot 42 miles away from a town, some idea can be gained of tho growing popularity of this event, which could not he held at a better place. Numerous parties were camped along the lake shores, and from an early hour'a long queue of ears made its way from Wairoa and from various points along the road to Lake House right up to midday.

It was also noted that many private cars were passing both ways along the now Waikaremoana-Rolorua scenic road. The surface of the lake was smooth, which made things very pleasant for all the competitors, both rowers and swimmers. A feature of the day was the special excursions made by the Government launch Bunpaid, in charge of Mr. B. Whaitiri, which made a number of trips round the hay, enabling those on board to follow the launch and speedboat events and see the pretty Aniwaniwa falls. All the events were post entry, and the programme, which commenced soon after 10 a.rn., did not conclude until close on 6 p.m. During the day a troupe of Maori wahines performed a canoe poi, with the smaller girls doing a long poi, all to the accompaniment of the Tuni Maori orchestra. This event was much enjoyed by the visitors, many of whom had never seen anything of the kind before. Quite a gay scene was presented during the day with the crowd of people, young and old, in holiday and swimming attire, and the many boats and launches on the water. Everything: went off splendidly, and iho committee has every reason to be pleased with the success of the regatta, which will become one ol the events of the year and should prove, a great attraction’ for visitors. All the officials worked hard to make the day a most successful one

A word of praise is due to Mr. Don Thomas, whose speed launch was built by himself and members of his mill staff in their leisure time. * Tlie launch was not completed until 6 a.m. that day and launched just before noon. Jt being an unknown quantity —not having had a single trial—the owner and his men should feel very pleased at its excellent showing, as it proved to he the fastest launch on the lake. Special mention also should ho made of the speed-boat exhibitions given by Mr. J. G. Brook, of Auckland, who handled his craft most skilfully and proved to be an expert in turning round the buoys at a hairraising speed, giving his passengers many thrills when doing so.

The following are the results: — Boys under 16 dinghy race.. —R. Gray 1, It. Burgess 2. Ladies’ diving.—Miss M. Murphy 1. Maori pair oar race.—T. Binder and S. Turipa 1. Ladies' pair oar race.- -Mrs. Wi Mei and Mrs. Glass 1, Miss Bene Gray and Mrs. J. Nathan 2.

Men’s handicap single sculls. l —W. Robinson 1, G. White 2, J. Fahey 3. Men’s 50yds. swimming race. —K. Corbett 1, A. Webb 2, L. Spence 3. Ladies’ 50yds. swimming race.—Miss M. Murphy 1, Miss I’. Murphy 2. Men’s handicap double sculls.—llcdley and Robinson 1,-Scott and Pert and Fahey and McGrath (tic) 2. Men’s handicap pair-oared race.—Scott and Pert 1. Devery and partner 2. Outboard motor championship, 2£ miles. —J. G. Brook (Auckland) ].

Speed-boat chanipionship, 6 miles.— J. (i. IBook (Auckland) 1, R. S. Neale 2. Handicap launch race.—D. Thomas (2min. hep.) 1, W. Cook (18min.) 2, W. Riddiford (lOmin.) 3, Tapper Bros. (12min.) 4. Seven competed. Tho winner’s actual time was 12 minutes.

Launch race for Svensen Cup.—R. S. Neale's “Miss Napier” 1, R. S. Neale’s "Fern Glen” 2, Tapper Bros.’ “Kotuku”

Novelty launch race.—W. Riddiford 1, J. Tapper 2. Running events.—Boys under 6 race: B. Pliilpott 1, M. Rice 2, R. Devery 3. Boys under 10: R. Wilson 1, It. White 2, R, Chatfield 3. Boys under 12: B. Wai Wai 1, T. Bray 2. Boys under 14: T. Aldridge 1, T. Gray 2. Boys undei 16: J. Brownlie 1, W. Brownlie 21 Children under 5: Shirley Jones 1, T. Svensen 2, A. Quayle 3. Children under 6: Meagher tryins (tie) 1, W. CTmtterton and K. Devery (tie) 3. Girls under 7 : E. Miller 1, L. Lydian 2. A. Rakai and G. Lovie (tie) 3. Girls under 8: P. Jackson 1, M. Tabu 2. Girls under 9: Joyce Stanton 1. 1). Nelson 2, M. Kahn 3. Girls under 16: A. Rasehinger 1, E. Lvllian 2. Ladies race: Mrs. Harper 1, Miss E. Chatfield 2, Miss Stevens 3. A large number of extra races was also run for the little, tots.