HISTORIC REGATTA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 923, 17 March 1930, Page 13

HISTORIC REGATTA

ANIMATED NGARUAWAHIA HUGE CROWDS ATTEND A century ago Maori warriors sped ! in their huge war canoes over the gleaming waters of the Waikato River, its banks then unknown to the pakeha. On Saturday 16,000 people, pakeha and Maori, saw canoes on the river, but they were only part of the regatta which is an annual event at Ngaruawahia. The regatta has characteristics all its own and is perhaps the most fascinating of its kind in New Zealand. For the Maoris it is the event of the year and they come from all districts to take part in the events. Saturday’s function, was a great improvement on former years. The weather was perfect and many new attractions lured the thousands to the river bank. On' a raft anchored in the river a party of Maoris from Rotorua danced hakas and pois. speed boats slipped over the glistening surface of the river at an astonishing rate, oarsmen swung along with expert precision and the native canoes added a romantic touch to the animated river. On an area of land recently acquired by the association noisy sideshows and itinerant sellers called their wares. The Auckland Artillery Band contributed music when it could be heard above the din. Maori children ran everywhere.

always it seemed in pursuit of slices 1 of pink watermelon or pieces of cray- ; fish. Trains, buses, motor-cars and ' carts unloaded their human freight j until it seemed as though the i whole of Auckland Province had ar- ; rived to watch the 34th regatta at his- j toric Ngaruawahia. The rowing events this year were a j great feature of the regatta and some ! splendid contests were witnessed. j Fallowing were the results: ROWING EVENTS Maiden Fours, 1 mile.—Hamilton (Ham- i mond sir, McKenzie, Morpeth, blare), 3; ; Waitemata. 2; West End 3. Won by a length. Maiden Double Sculls, 1 mile. —Waitemata (J. H. Beesley str. R. Smith), 1; i Tauranga. 2; St. George’s, 3. Junior Fours, lj miles.—West End (O. 1 Felton str, W. Bloxham, C. Wright, V. McFarlane), 1; Waitemata, 2; Auckland. ' 3. Won by a length, with a length j separating second and third. Handicap Single Sculls, Bell Challenge Picture and Trophy. 1 mile.—l. W. St. \ Clair. Hamilton. 1; E. A. Waters. Hamil- \ ton, 2: W. Eaddy, Waitemata. 3. Maiden Fours, 1 mile. —North Shore (A. E. Cotes str, S. Gardiner, D. Walsh, C. Oliver), 1: Hamilton No. 2,2; Hamilton No. 3, 3. Won by half a length. Ngaruawahia Challenge Shield, for Senior Fours. 2 miles.—Hamilton No. 1 j (G. W. St. Clair str, B. Sandos, W. Bayley, E. A. Waters), 1; North Shore. ; 2; Waitemata, 3. Won by four lengths, same distance second and third. Junior Pair Oars, 15 miles. —West End (Baker str, W. Johnson), 1; Tauranga, 2; Waitemata, 3. Youths’ Fours, 1 mile.—Hamilton (W. Curnow str, W. Toombs, A. Sweeney, H. Somerville), 1; North Shore, 2. Won by three feet. Maiden Pair Oars, 1 mile. —West End (F. Baker str, F. Conway), 1; Hamilton, 2. Won by half a length. PIPING AND DANCING Marches, Open.—S. Paget, 3; L. Amor, 2; H. M. Anderson, 3. Strathspeys and Reels.—D. Mat hies on and D. Ferguson, equal, 1; J. Robertson, Slow March. —S. Paget, 1: L. Amor, 2: A. McGowan, 3. B Grade Bagpipe Music.—Marches: D. Mathieson, 1; J. Robertson, 2; D. Ferguson, 3. Slow march: J. Robertson, 1; D. Mathieson 2; D. Ferguson, 3. Highland Fling.—Novice: R. Dochertv, 1: P. Mcllroy, 2. Under 13: J. Templeton, 1; H. Sinton, 2; S. 'Wallace, 3. Over 3 3: R. Freeborn, 1; F. Dickson, 2; I. Long, 3. Open: M. Laurensen, 1; D. Purdon, 2: D. Mackie, 3. Sword Dance.—Under 13: I. Long, 1; F. Dickson, 2; I. Galley. 3. Over 13: H. Sinton, 1; J. Temperton, 2; L. Cunningham, 3. Sean Triubhais.—Under 33: 11. Sinton, 1; J. Temberton, 2; L. Cunningham, 3.

Open: M. Laurenson, 1: D. Mackie, 2; I?. Purdon, 3. Highland Heel.—Under 13: 11. Doeherty. 1; I. Long, 2: E. McCarthy, 3. Over 13: H. Sinton, 1; G. Gain. 2; L. Cunningham, 3. MAORI EVENTS Girls’ Canoe Race.—Kimiora, 1: 0.K.. Under and Over Hurdle Race.—O.K., 1: Pukete. 2: Kimiora. S. Canoe Race for Wahines.—Weremahe. 1; Kimiora. 2. Champion Canoe Race.—Weremake, 1: Violet. 2; Kimiora, 3. Te Kawhaki Taraahine (Chase for a Bride).—Parapanaki, 1; Punga, 2. Canoe Hurdle Race. Men and IVomen. —Kimiora. 1: Veremake, 2. War Canoe Race.—Xgaruawahia. 1: Matirea, 2. Mounted Swimming Race. —.T. Howard’s Ka (Blackie), and Toney (O. Wright), equal, 1. Large Kopapa Race.—Punga. 3; Parapanaki, 2. Men’s Canoe Hurdle Race. —Weremake. 1; 0.K., 2; Kimiora, 3. SPEED -BOATS First Race.—Pastime, 1; Miss Hamilton. 2: Miss Arawa, 3. Second Race.—Marquette Fue, 1: Miss Arawa, 2: Blue Streak, 2. Close finish. Four boats arrived at the winning buoy within five seconds.