Ngaruawahia Regatta.

Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 952, 27 March 1897, Page 23

Ngaruawahia Regatta.

The good people of Ngaruawkhia, who pro. jected the regatta and aquatic sports that toot place there on St. Patrick's D*y, have abundant reason to feel entirely satisfied with the result of their spirited experiment. And the folk who flocked thither from all parts of the "Waikato, even to its remotest confines, as well as , those who, to the number of fally 1500, journeyed from Auckland, are 'perfectly convinced now that they could not have had more enjoyable entertainment for their money, or more hospitable treatment. All the officers, from the president (Mr F. W Lang, M.H H.) and the very capable and energetic hon Bee. (Mr T. U. Wella) downward, worked like Trojans to deserve success, and they certainly attained it. Such an.animated spectacle, such a throng of Maoris, yonng and old, and so much well-ordered recreation on a large scale, have rarely been witnessed in the Waikato. The delta of greensward formed by the junction of the Waipa and Waikato rivers looked for all the world like an old-fashioned country fair, dotted over as it wa3 with refreshment tents, shows of one sort and another, and games of chance or skill.

There was an Indian juggler on exhibition, a shooting gallery was in full blast, an enterprising photographer was taking and finishing off your portrait while you waited, a billiard table under an awning afforded the means of playing billiards in the open air, and the Syrian hawkers were there, too, to tempt Maori customers with their cheap trinkets and gaudy handkerchiefs and small articles of ' bigotry and virtue.' More than that, the Hamilton Band, under Mr J. Munro, and the Ngaruawahia Band, under Mr D. O'Connor, were present to keep the visitors enlivened with plenty of bright and stirring dance music. It was a perfect summer day, and the long programme of twentyone events, embracing Maori dances, gig, pair-oar, stump outrigger, and dingy races, swimming matches, canoe, canoe hurdle and war canoe races, and a greasy boom competition, was carried through without a hitch.

By far the mo3t novel and interesting of all the events, and we venture to add the most keenly contested also, were the Maori canoe races. There were two war canoe races between the Meremere, manned by 44 Maoris, and the Publicana, a lighter and smaller craft manned by 24 Maoris, and the lightness of the latter vessel compensated co well for the numerical inferiority of her crew, that in two long races it was an open question, until within a few yards of home, which would win. More than that, every man Jack of both crewß exerted himself vi ith the utmost vigour to wrest the prize from his opponents. As for the cance hurdles, they brought out into strong relief the skill, daring and resource of the canoeists, both men and women, while the frequent stranding of canoes on top of the hurdles and the occasional capsizing of the canoeists by the filling or capsizing of their frail craft, yielded immense fun to the spectators. We would advise the Committee on future occasions to give even larger prominence to these Maori canoe matches, and to also offer prizes for swimming and diving matches for Maoris only. If they do this, and carry out the affair with aB much spirit as they did last week, the fame of the Ngaruawahia regatta and aquatic sports will become noised throughout the colony,andit will become one of our largest fixtures, besides attracting visitors from all parts of the colony.

In conclusion, a hearty meed of praise is due to the ladies of Ngarcawahia who assisted the Committee to entertain the visitors most bountifully at tea. This repast was laid out in the hall, and was simply first-class— delicious tea, mo3t appetising sandwiches and cake, and a splendid array of fruit. It was ostensibly for the entertainment of the competitors, but in reality it was made free to all Auckland visitors who sought admission, for all were made welcome. Mr F. W. Lang was a most genial host, and the ladies were assiduous in their attentions. The train arrangements worked smoothly, and altogether the Ngaruawahia Regatta passed off as merrily as the proverbial marriage bell. We cordially compliment Mr Wells and his Committee on the result of their labours. May. their shadows never grow less.

Auckland mining market has been flattened out for the last three months. The falling due of many calls has slackened the nerves of local syndicators. The old chap with the long-head can now pick up from the long eared fellow scrip which in April will- be trebled in value. Hundreds of co's with scant capital are hanging on in the hope that Bull will pull them out. However, the bottom has not dropped out of the boom. In March or April papermining will probably be as lively as ever on Auckland Exchange. — Sydney Bulletin.