NEW YEAR THRILLS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 110, 31 December 1931, Page 6

NEW YEAR THRILLS

BATHING BEAUTIES, STEER RIDTNG, AQU APLANIN G AND HAKAS COCHRANE PARK TO-MORROW ! i Rotorua has never witnessed a ro- j deo. This omission, however, is to be j rectified to-morrow, New Year's Pay, j wKen Cochrane Park, the hobby of it? i owner, will introduce to the sporting i public of Rotorua, the champion steerrider of Queensland, and the 1930 Manawatu and East Coast champion. Jerry Russel. This day of days will also witness those activities, well known in other centres but entirely new to Rotorua — aquaplaning, and speed boat raeing. For these events several entries have been received and it is expected that an enthusiastic competition wiL be the result. Those old, familiar Mao"i songs grown even sweeter and seemingly more mellow by virtue of their verj age and familiarity will be a featim of the rythmic poi dances and singing competitions. All teams of Maor" maidens will be dressed in their traditional native costume and thus witl Rotorua's sunny skies above, the hus! clad slopes of Mokoia Island in tli; background and the gleaming whitsand all about, will be drawn in rea

life a picture never to be forgotten. In contrast to this charming scene will be one no less picturesque but one infinitely more harbaric in character. Teams of Maori warriors will take part in a haka competition. This exhibition of warlike and grotesque savagery seen often though it may be, never really outlives its first fascination. Diving, from a spring-board set in a sandy bank, into the deep, slowmoving waters of the Ohau Channel will lend added attraction to a day of all others set aside for sport and : pectacular events. The girls eompeting for the award is the most smartly attired bathing ■ irl will parade upon a raised platform and it is expected that competition will run high. The competitors, however will indeed have to be more than smartly attired to compete against the little native diving beauty, Huia, who, with her brilliant clean nving -and a grace and ease all her jvvn, is a delight to the eye. All arrangements have been made o cater for every wish expressed, or mexpressed. Afternoon tea at a small rharge will be obtainable in a large marquee or in the little alcoves set ■siue for the purpose and all will take place on a stage set amongst ideal •urroundings, on a broad sweep of .vhite sand at the entrance to the urving. willow-hanked waters of the Ohau Channel