Is Ngaruawahia Regatta Becoming A Huge Side-Show ?

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 619, 22 March 1929, Page 6

Is Ngaruawahia Regatta Becoming A Huge Side-Show ?

Circus Atmosphere at Big Aquatic Carnival LOSING MAORI TRADITION Can the atmosphere of a sporting event be spoiled if arrangements for entertainment are too liberal, or is there a happy combination of sport and light sideshows? A T least one regatta, with great possibilities on the sporting side, while it is at present prominent for its racing, is likely to earn a name as an immense gala instead of a regatta. One good argument for the assumption that the combination of a regatta programme with all the fun of a provincial fair is the Ngaruawahia rega.tta. The event is certainly a happening of utmost ’mportance for holiday-seeking crowds from Waikato towns and not a few people from Auckland. The regatta is yearly increasing in size. So are the crowds. Now the available sources of entertainment are so bewilderingly extensive that it is practically impossible to cover the whole event. It is all with the idea of catering for huge crowds with mixed tastes. Twenty thousand people last Saturday were packed in a comparatively small area, and there was entertainment for everyone. VAST FAIR But, should the circus and sideshow idea extend much further, there is no-

small danger of Ngaruawahia regattas being considered by the public more in the light of a. vast fair than as a regatta and a Maori carnival. It is the regatta side which can well be preserved. Rowing at Ngaruawahia is always full of interest, and the course is good. Then, again, theregatta has done valuable work, particularly in recent years, in encouraging Maoris to com-pete for canoeracing, poi dancing and haka honours. There are still flaws in the appearance of many of the natives. While the parties in the poi dancing and hakas were pleasingly attired in native costume, many of those in the canoe races had brought bathing costumes, shirts cf all shades, and battered hats into commission. Such attire, even on a few, can make a travesty of the whole Maori atmosphere. Spcrt can easily be buried under a preponderance of carnival entertainment At present, Ngaruawahia Is nearing The cross-roads. Whether the public will bo drawn by the regatta, by holiday picnicking and sideshows, or by the mass attractions in future is in tho balance. By keen organisation, those in charge of the regatta have built up an undoubtedly big and successful event. There is just a chance that the entertainment other than the rowing, the motor-boat and the Maori events will be overdone. The average spectator has to be something of a contortionist to force a path through the crowds between the finishing points for the aquatic events, the actual courses, the marae for the hakas and the poxs, the sideshows, stalls and entertainments spreading over 830 feet of frontage, for this was the impressive figure at the regatta last Saturday. To some, the lighter entertainment at the event is already more than enough. The aim of those who manage the regatta is obviously to make the event a bis success in all branches and to provide entertainment sufficient for the huge crowds. Where Wiil end if the crowds continue to increase is hard to imagine. CAREFUL WORK Meanwhile, the association takes -in immense amount of trouble in con®'r, le ?iV“ US w ° rk to P la n out courses for tainments' d^e^eftaSe programme. the handUn * ™ at the importance of the regatta is the consideration of the association Iffia'i" 11 *5 the eagerness of the carefuUv » ® very race is conducted has f vel y n d ' apparently, no thought of l m ? lven to the Possibility o the sideshows over-riding the ahSady to th° doub ‘ there are limits already to the number of light enterground” t 0 have space ™ the The noise, the crowds and the entertainments are already sufficient to give a spectator an overwhelming sense of smallness. And sports followers will not want to see a regatta of great possibilities overshadowed.