NGARUAWAHIA REGATTA.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 535, 21 March 1901, Page 8

NGARUAWAHIA REGATTA.

The annual regatta and acquatic carnival was held under favorable circumstances on Saturday last at Ngaruawahia. A great number of excursionists journeyed from Auckland, Thames and the Waikato districts. '1 he progamme was well carried out, and an i teresting day’s sport was the result. Most of the attention wag naturally centered in the Maori races and outeats, which were all keenly fought out, and were better from a spectator’s point of view than they were at the last regatta. During the day the Haureki Brass Band went through a programme of popular music. All the officials woiked hard, and deserve credit for their efforts. Professor Carrollo made an excellent starter of the rowing races, Mr E. Macky acting in a similar capacity for the native events. The committee were : Messrs E. Rathbone, E. Hall, R. H. Nicholson, W. Hunt, R. James, J. Marshall, M. N. Skelton, G Roper, J. H. Hanlon, A. Nicol, J. A. Lynch, A J. Simmelhay, D. O’Leary, H. Booth, T. McKeown, T. U. Wells, F. Warren, F. W. Hunt, I. Davis, W. Collins, H. E. Burr, H. Hinton, W. R. Gillespie, J. A. Sage, J. W. Ball, F. H unt, A. Kav, M. O’Connor, G. Greaves, W. Simpson, P. Aubrey, H. J.

Saulbrey, W. H. Soper, and E. Macky. Mr J. A. Lynch, the new secretary, fulfilled his duties very satisfactorily. The results were as under :—

Canoe Bace for Maori Girls; first prize £l, second ss. Five competed in this event, which was won by Bina, Ngahoro Paki being second. Maiden Gigs (open), about one mile; first £7, secon £l—West End and Waitemata City, started, and the race ended in a very easy win for the latter.

Big Canoe Bace, about two miles ;• first prize £25, second £lO, third £5 —This was undoubtedly the draw of the programme. Th req wakatiwai started, and as the course was a long one, the spectators had a very fine opportunity of witnessing the dexterity with which the natives propelled their long shapely canoes. The Whakawhakia manned by a crew of 24 ; the Kaiwha, with 25 on board ; and the Pupirikana (Anglice publican), with a crew of 27 (several being wahines). After a very close and dingdong go over a long course Gradually the Whawhakia forged ahead of Kawha as they ■wept by the willow-clad banks, and by the time the finishing post was reached she was leading by a narrow sft, and carried off the prize amidst much applause. The Pupirikana was some distance away. Maiden Gigs (under 10st), about one mile; first prize £7, aecond £1 —This event was won fairly easily by West End, who finished two lengths in front of Waitemata-City, Ngaruawahia third, North Shore fourth. Canoe Hurdle Bace for Men, over three flights of hurdles; first prize £2 10s, second £l, third 10s—Considerable amusement was caused by this race, as the two occupants of each canoe made determined attempts to negotiate the obstacles The five canoes which started glided over the first hurdle beautifully, but the ranks were very much thinned when the second was reached. Bluejacket finished first, with Hikurere second, and Kauri Gum third. Ladies’ Pair-oar Bace, about one mile; first prize £3, second £1 —Misses Garnaut and Smith (representing the Waitemata-City Olub), defeating Misses N. Patterson and J. Kellow (Ngaruawahia) easily. Canoe Hurdle Bace for Maori Women; prizes and course the same as for men - Ema (paddled by Emakarena and Whamara) won, with Hikurere second, and Bluejacket third. Junior Gigs (open), about one mile; first prize £B, second £1 —Two crews from Waite-mata-City, two from West End, and one from North Shore, started. Waitemata No 1 crew essumed the premier position, and was never headed, winning easily from West End No. 1West End’s second crew was third. The winning crew was as under : —T. Brownlee (I) B. Annan (2), G. Nicholson (3), P. J. Bailey (streke). Big Canoe Bace; first prize £25, second £lO third £5. I'he course this time was a straight one, about half the length of the former big event The same canoes competed, and the result was the same, Whawkakia being first, Kaiwha second, and Pupirikana third. At the finish a good ledgth separated the first and second canoes.

Junior Gigs (under 10st), about one mile ; first prize £B, second £1 —West End, Nortu Shore, and Ngaruawahia competed. West End had no difficulty in annexing the first prize, beating Ngaruawahia without extending themselves.

He Kawhaki Tamahine : This even was intended to give the public some idea of the old Maori method of courtship, its title meaning “The Chase for a Bride.” The girl, or “lamahine,” was given a start in a small canoe, and several canoes, each manned by six men, gave chase, the first to catch her taking possession of the bride. Should one or the other canoes overtake the successful canoe the bride has to be given up to the canoe overtaking. The Bauwhitu passed the post with the bride on board, but the Takapuna entered a protest, which will be decided by the committee. Mounted Swimming Bace; first prize £3, second £1 —Several natives competed. The course was across the Waikato. Hakarimato, piloted by Henare Koti, secured the first prize. Can oe Hurdle Race, for men ; the course and prizes were similar to the other hurdle events : Ema (manned by W. Paiura and Mana) won, with Bluejacket second and Kauri Gum third. Senior Gigs ; first prize £9, second £l—St. George’s : E. Cuthbertson (1), E. E. Stone (2), H. B. Armitage (3), and T. Richards (stroke), scored an easy victory, beating Waitemata City by over a length, with North Shore close up third. West End also competed Conoe Hurdle Race, for Maori Women — Bluejacket won this event, with Ema second, and Hikurere third.

Big Canoe Race —I he starters for this; the last race on the progamme, were the Whawhakia, Elenor, and Pupirikana, but they were only manned by 15 men each, instead of 25, as in the former events. Ihe Eleanor won by about half-a-length from Whawhakia