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Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 11, 25 May 1872, Page 2

An interesting canoe race in honor of the Queen's Birthday took place at Ngaruawahia yesterday afternoon. Two oanoea came to the post; one was much larger tliun the oth«r, and had a proportionately large) crew, The course was from a short distance up th< Waipa to a boat moored in the Waikato at about hal. a mile distant from the starting point. A very gooi start wds effected and the two canoes kept well togethe for some distance. The heavy one rounded the flag-boa about a length ahead of its opponent and gradually in creased the lead, and about 100 yards from the wiuninj post, the crew of the smaller canoe, seeing that th y hat no chance of winning, ceased to paddle. After thei landed the crews performed a war dance for the edifica tion of their pakena friends. It is :: gratifying fact tha the natives thought sufficient of the Queen's Birthdaj to put themselves out of the way to celebrate it. Andrew Barton, a very intelligent native, was, we understand, th* originator of the whole afiair. Soutli's Polygraphic Company performed twe evenings at Alexandra, with great success. We learn from Alexanda that the natives arc anxiously looking out for Mr. McLean. Three men fully equipped for prospecting have started from Alexandrra for the King country. We are glad to learn that the Rev. Mr. Brady lias refused to allow himself to be nominated for the pastorate of the North Shore. He has done so on the ground that he is the only clergyman of the Anglican church in the Waikato. A tervice will be held in the Ngsruawaliia Church on Sunday (to-morrow), by the Venerable Archdeacon Pritt, at 3.30 p.m. We understand that the address to the Hon. Donall Maclean will be presented at 11 o'clock to-day. Capt. Norman Leslie got his arm dislocated yesterdayaf ternoon in a singular manner. Whilst putting the bridle on a horse, the animal by a sudden and violent jerk of its head succeeded iu putting the Captain's arm out of joint. The injured limb was set by Mr. Smith, chemist, in the absence of the regular practitioners. The Hon. Donald Maclean, accompanied by Colonel St. John and Mr. Clarke, arrived at Ngaruawahia by spccial coach yesterday evening. Wo understand that they will proceed to Alexandra about noon to-day. It is rumoured in Alexandra that the King has offered to hand Te Kooti over to the Government on receiving payment of the £5,000.