Kites which Fight.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 9 October 1914, Page 2

Kites which Fight.

Whilst the old-fashioned pear-shaped kite of our forefathers with its streaming tail still holds its own, numerous other kites have put in an appearance, notably, the squareshaped East Indian Kite. It is about this kite 1 wish to write. Whilst in (Jreat Hritain kite-flying is one of the sports of childhood, kiteflying in the Hast ig followed with enthusiasm by those who have entered their second childhood.

Whilst stationed in Fort Lahore in the Punjab I have often watched their kite-flying competitions with interest. The procedure is as follows : One native fancies himself more adept at the game than another, so a match is arranged and

sometimes large sums of money are staked on the result.

On the evening of the date fixed both fliers and their supporters meet outside the city walls, where there is a large space of vacant ground. The two fliers proceed to points already pitched upon, at the same time paying out about 100 yards of twine. At a given signal the kites are released, and each flier with a succession of jerks endeavours to get his kite to a good height. When tooth kites are as high as it is possible to get them the duel commences in ea/nest.

It is the desire of each flio§ to drop the other's kite. This is done by

crossing one another's string, ' and then b y continually see-sawing, cutting the string through.

To watch two experts at the game is very interesting, and the way in which they manipulate their kite is nothing but astonishing. To see the kites swoop first to the right, then to the left, then dive downwards and then soar rapidly up-

wards continually dodging one another, one could almost imagine thejn things of life. Then comes the end ; a string- is severed, and down comes the defeated one, fluttering gracefully, as if it would say "defeated but not dishonoured,"

On the plain is a host of native children hustling one another, anxiously waiting to have a scramble for the unfortunate kite as soon as it reaches terra firraa.