ANOTHER MOKAU MYSTERY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 89, 22 April 1913, Page 2

ANOTHER MOKAU MYSTERY.

We have had Mokau ere this, but never one so surprising. Here (says the Wellington Post) is the somewhat curious cablegram forwarded lately from London: “A Mokau Syndicate has cabled an offer of £IOOO to Ernest Barry, the world’s champion sculler, to tow an unnamed sculler on the Mokau River in November next.” So, from its rural seclusion, this Taranaki stream has leaped after the fashion of a tidal wave into the forefront of the world. Many were sceptical when the Arnst-Barry contest on the Zambesi was mooted, but picture the wonderment and hot curiosity of the sporting enthusiasts a,t Home at the name “Mokau!” In fancy we can see the rush to the office of the Dominion’s High Commissioner for further information as to the whereabouts of the syndicate and the river. What a ransacking of the encyclopedia for enlightenment on Mokau, and what a problem for the authorities out side, these islands, searching the map of New*' Zealand for the strange and unfamiliar name! The out-of-the-way, forest-hidden Mokau stream is in the way of becoming a Niagara. Perhaps, the most exacting strain on the imagination is that of visioning the mysterious and romantic “unnamed” and the lithe champion flashing dripping blades down the gleaming, fern-bowered Mokau (where room could be found), the. while bellbirds (did they live there) chimed the “unnamed” first past Hie gun. Even if Barry takes it seriously, the offer is hardly attractive enough ito lure the Britisher across the world, especially as in the event of his beating Pearce* the Australian challenger, he would have the right to await furdhjer opponents on the Thames—his .home course., As the match, is proposed for November next, it, may be presumed that the “unnamed” (not necessarily “unknown”) is already jsufficiently proficient in the ,art, of the .qhdingtseat, .the leg-drive, catch, and recovery, to 'warrant the -syndicate’s rather amazing offer. Whom has the syndicate up its sleeve? Is it the gallant Webb, confident he. can come, back, or Arnst, who is anxious for matches. Is the “unnamed” really an “unknown,” nursed carefully in the Taranaki wilds from apprenticeship to achieve a great coup?. Assuredly, the, country will nbt be satisfied until the syndicate reveals itself and the cloaked wonder to public scrutiny,, This ambitious syndicate (if a cable-editor has not nodded, or if thei'e has been no waggishness at this end of the wire), should it fail with Barry, might reasonably enter into negotiations with Johnson for a championship glove battle with, say, Palzer, to take place at New Plymouth or Patea. Further information in re Mokau will be awaited with interest.