MERCER REGATTA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 64, 31 January 1913, Page 2

MERCER REGATTA.

Splendid Day's Sport. J 'ihe climatic conditions for the Mercer on Anniversary Day WLie most propitious. Thj terrible weather on Tuesday produced considerable fear for Kegattr Day, but fears were dispelled by the fresh sunshine of Wednesday. Mercer hud on its holiday attire. The lines of lla.es fluttering across the streets, the marching bands, the people in derise crowds Hocking to the river-side, the hanks of the Waikato covered with picnickers and sight-srers. the tents with their woi.ders "on Mir 1 inside, ' the shooting gallrries and refreshment stalls galore, all combined to make the day a red-letter one in the history of the township. "Were there many there'.'" Ihat was what the visitors were asked by their friends upon their return. Tho writer asked quite a number of peoj l 1 at the regatta how many they thoueht were present, and the lowest estimate, which w?s t<*o low, was 5000, and th? hghest, which was too high, was 10,000. But it was a bonny crowd, gathered to wiinesi a clean, invigoratir.g firm of athletic sport.

The music supplied hy the Pukckobe Town Band, under the baton of Mr H. McMahon, was very much appreciated, complimentary remarks being heard upon all hands. The boys Drum and Fife iianl, from town, added musical variety and besides eojoy inß the advantages ot some artistic and some physical trairi'g the boys had a good day out.

Congratulations to the officials upun the manner in which their arrangements wen l carried out. and especially to Mr A. C. Tribe, the secre.ary. Mr J. Maxwell was the starter and umpire in the rowing events, the judge being Mr J Clark. Mr J. Keith judged the canoe events, the starter being Mr M. Gallery. Mr C. W. Landon was the ■ lerk of scales and Mr D. Crnfin the timekeeper. The treasurer (Mr E. Halleti), the president (Mr Pickett), a number of the vice-presidents and the executive commi'.tee worked energetically to bring about the great success which rewarded their ll'orts.

The canoe races wtre all enjoyable, but only the names of the boats were available. Th. war canoe race, three canons if 20 psddles each, was n very imposing event, the distance was about two miL. J , first prize £l6, pecond prize £5. After a closely contested and exciting stuggle the canoe Tar.gitikiwi won, with Kobe on seeortd.

The catioe hurdle races cau&ea no 2nd of fun, and the dexterity with whic:i the Maoris were able to lift their canoes out of the water and over the obstacles was greatly admired. but it happened sometimes that a canoe overturned and emptied its occupants into the river, and at other times t«vo or more canoes became entargled while negotialing the hurdle. 5 . Most ot thesa races were about a mile, with three flights of hurdles to be taken at the judge's end. Some of the events were for men, 3ome--for wahines, and some for mixed pairs. Ihe women's canoe race, eight in each canoe, was a vigorous contest and provoked loud applause. The canoe I'ereoctane was lirst and Tuanui secun l. The other events were as follows: Maiden Fours, 10 stone and under, 1 mile, first £6, second £1. —West End 1, Ngaruawahia 2, Hamilcon 3, Waitcmata 4. Upon being weighed in the Hamilton stroke, i'ulford, was found to be 21bs overweight, so that team was diequalilied, Waitemata l.eing given third place. Eight teams contested, Mercer being represented by E. Hunter, stroke, F. Cocper 3, J. T. barren 2, R. Barron bow, E. Beamish cox. Single Handicap Sculls, open weights, 1 mile, lirst £2 and gold medal, second £l—K. W. Aimer, St. George's K.C., 17secs, 1; F. Reynolds, Whangarei R.C., Bsecs, 2; C. Roosc, Mercer R.C., ]2necs, 3. This was a magnificent race ar.d only a little over a boat's length separated the three placed men.

Maiden fours, open weights, 1 mitfe, first £6, secur.d £1 —North' Shore 1, West End No. 1 2, St. George's 3, West End No. 24. A good race; koii by three-quarters of a length. Eight-boats competed. Mercer team: H. Bilderbigck stroke, S. Dobson 3, D. Hassect 2, M. Sweeney Low, A. Beamish cox. Junior Fours, iO stone and under, 1.1 miles, first £7, second £17 — Hamilton 1, West End 2, Whangarei 3, North ishore 4. , Youths' Fours, 1 mile, first £4 second £l. -Whangarei 1, North Shore 2, West End 3, Waitemata 4. Mercer team: K. Kelly stroke, T. Wright 3, L. Barron 2. D. Rogers bow, E. beamish cox. Easy win by 2A lengths, second, third aid fourth boats close up. Junior Fours, open weights, 1J miles, first £B, second £1 Whangarei 1, Mercer (C. Roose stroke, J. Hunter 3, F. Wright 2, R. Hunter bow, E. Beamish cox) 2, Waitemata 3, Hamilton 4. Won by 1J lengths. Men's Double Sculls, open weights, ) mile, first £2 and medals 3tcond £1 —Waitemata 1. Country Fours, open. weight maidens, 1 mile, lirst £4 and Cup, second £1 Whungarei No. 1 1, Ngaruawahia 2, Hamilton 3. Mercer team (E. Hunttr stroke, 'l. Cooper 3, J. T. Barron 2, R, Barron bow, E. Beamish cox) got the advantage ot a good start through two of tne starter's cartridges missing fire, but they were unable to maintain the lead. Won by 1?> lengths. Senior Fours, open weights, 2 miles, lirst £ll, second £l—Ng;iruawahia No. 2 1. Ngariiawahia No. 1 2, North Shore 3. Won easily byjfe lengths.