MOKAU REGATTA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 24, 5 April 1907, Page 3

MOKAU REGATTA.

The first regatta held on the Mokau river was brought off on Easter Monday, and was most enjoyable. All the settlers of the surrounding districts attended, and there was a large number" of visitors from New Plymouth and Waitara. An excursion steamer was run from the places named, arriving on the Sunday, and returning the following day. The river is admirably adapted for aquatic sports, and it is to be hoped that this year's regatta merely presages the time when the Mokau aquatic carnival will be a feature among the holiday attractions of the district. The champion whaleboat race was won by Clifton, who were in good form, and won nearly every event in which they started. Tikorangi also performed well, but had to take second place to their doughty opponents. The Mokau crew won the Maiden whaL-boat race after an exciting battie with Clifton. The 100 yards swimming race was won by Perrett, who showed good form. In the Maori canoe race for women, there, was much excitement. A crew of young women competed against one composed cf ladies of more matronly appearance. From the start the younger women paddled to the front, and held a commanding lead' at the turning point. Serene in the consciousness of their superiority, the maidens were already preparing to receive the admiration and applause of the spectators. Alas ! for the fond hopes of weak mortality when entrusted to such frail vessels as canoes and the strange vagaries of wind and wave. As the canoe rounded the mark buoy the wind strengthened, and as the vessel was brought round, it received a gust of sufficient force to overturn it. Frantic were the efforts of the maidens to right their vessel, and bale it out in time to go on, and win the race. All they could do was unavailing, and they only had the doubtful satisfaction of seeing their older opponents paddle slowly up, round the buoy carefully, and glide in alone, amid the enthusiastic plaudits of the spectators.