MERCER REGATTA.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 361, 1 November 1898, Page 2

MERCER REGATTA.

With this issue appears the notification of the Mercer regatta and aquatic sports, which are to be held on Saturday, November 26th. For years these popular regattas had attracted thousands of pleasure-seekers, and judging by the excellent programme this coining event should excel all its predecessors. His Excellency the Governor, Lady Ranfurly and suite will be present to witness the various events. On arrival of the trains a Maori war dance will be given by the assembled tribes as a welcome to the visitors. The canoe hurdle races are to be four in number, over three flights of hurdles, each 15 inches high. Two war canoe races, manned by 40 and 20 paddlers respectively, over a course of three miles with two turns, form a prominent feature on the programme. There will be a Wakativvai race for Maori children whose ages do not exceed 15 years, and another for Maori wahines, 12 in each canoe. Several new features are to be introduced this year, which should cause much amusement. There are to be two tugs of war with canoes. These canoes, with seven men in each, will be fastened together in pairs, the start will be in mid-stream, the goal being the river bank, with a time allowauce of ten minutes. One of these races is for Maoris only, while the other will be Maoris versus Europeans. Another novelty will be a blindfold match with two men in each canoe. Ihe start will be at the island, the winners to be the .first pair to reach the opposite shore. Swimming races, laities' pair oar, gig races and a tub race form other attractions. King Mahuta has kindly allowed his beautiful war cauoe, " Taheretikitiki," to be exhibited. This is the only war canoe of its kind afloat. She will appear in her full war paint. To see this big cauoe, which is upwards of 70 feet in length, being propelled with lightning speed over the glassy waters of the Waikato, will be a sight not easily forgotten. A grand display of rowing may be looked forward to, as there will be five gig races in clinker outriggers. This will be the first Mercer regatta at which this class of boat will be used, and as all the Auckland Rowing Clubs intend entering crews some interesting finishes are to be anticipated. At Mercer there is an excellent course for a regatta. All can see the races from start to finish. All that is wanted now is a fine day to make this regatta the best ever held on the Waikato.