A DAY OUT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 245, 6 January 1928, Page 10

A DAY OUT

TOKAANU, PARADISE OF ‘ ANGLERS. EN FETE FOR BIG ANNUAL SPORTS I GATHERING

FUN ON THE LAKE

Nestling at the foot of low hills in a peaceful valley at the southern end of Lake Taupo is the small settlement of Tokaanu, known the Dominion over as the Mecca of North Island anglers. The tour of the Duke and Duchess of York placed Tokaanu definitely on the map. This summer it has experienced a mild boom. Car loads of tourists have been arriving daily, and Mr. J. A. Asher, Mine Host of the popular hostelry at the lakeside, has been a busy man, placing at the disposal of visitors his unrivalled knowledge of the things tourists want to see and do. The little township was en fete this week when an aquatic sports meeting was held. There was plenty of fun and novelty about the gathering, which was greatly enjoyed by the crowds of tourists, visitors and local residents who attended. HORSEMANSHIP—AND SEAMANSHIP The swimming race for horses had a smattering of real adventure about it. Mounted on their steeds, the competitors lined upon the shore and on the word “go” galloped into the lake. Out of their depths, the horses began to swim, and all went well until when about to round the launch 50 yards out, when there was a horrible mix-up and tangle, mainly owing to one well-known local competitor attempting to take his neddy round the bend a shade on the wide side. No one was drowned, however, and the finish as they came toward the shore again was chockfull of excitement and thrills. A swimming race for dogs is certainly an uncommon event in most parts, but not at Tokaanu. Laden with a crowd of dogs, a launch proceeded some distance out into the lake. When all was set. the competing “Fidos” were dumped overboard in a heap. There was a wild scater, and some who appeared to have a certain amount of sense and an Inkling pf the fact that they were taking part in a race, made straight for the shore. Others, however, paddled out in all directions until gradually it dawned upon these doggies that they were making the distance between them and the shore more and more as they proceeded, and one by one they turned about. Amid yelps, which of course may have indicated either pleasure, surprise, anger or annoyance, there was a great finish between the more sensible poodles, while the “also starteds” came in one at a time, manifesting their joy at reaching terra tirma again by dashing showers of spray over the spectators, who hastily ducked lor shelter. “PIGGY” IN THE WATER Chasing the greasy pig is an old and popular event at country sports, but Tokaanu goes one better. Here, “Denny the Pig” has to swim for it.

Heaved from the jetty into the cool, clear waters of Taupo lake, the poor Piggy. greased with butter and oil, arrived at the water’s surface some distance ahead of his squeals, and after bobbins up and down a few times, appeared to find his bearings and sw'm off. Then in plury;ed the contestants. Piggy suffered many an onslaught. At times he was caught, but with the assistance of the coating of grease, he managed to slip through the arms of his pursuers. Often he was pushed under, and came gurgling to the top as though to end his days by a prolonged series of snorts, but he kept on going until finally caught. Numerous other interesting and thrilling events took place, including a high dive off the shed on the jetty. With some of the amateur competitors landing either on their backs or their stomachs, the spectators found plenty of fun in the event. "We haven’t much money, but we do see life.” runs the old saw. At Tokaanu they enjoy every minute of their idyllic existence in one of Nature’s beauty spots. Pointing Tactics The right of appeal to the umpire is the privilege of each or all of the eleven players in the field. But it is a function which can generally be j exercised most effectively by either the bowler or the wicket keeper, and j left to them. It is, however, not un- ; common for the man at square leg to ; make a confident appeal for lbw, or mid-off, to yell “Zat!” when the keeper whips off the bails, and sometimes a united chorus from all round the I boundary circle is heard making a ; unanimous and confident appeal. Such irritation tactics are distinctly not cricket, and are more likely to cause j the umpire to resent the bluff than give a favourable decision. On the i football field over-frequent and frivolous appealing can be treated as “ungentlemanly conduct” and duly rectified, but the only check on point- ' ing tactics in cricket is the sporting instinct and the traditions of the game which every captain should instil into | his team.