THE MERCER REGATTA.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 373, 29 November 1898, Page 2

THE MERCER REGATTA.

Mekcer is, without a shadow of a doubt, an ideal spot for a regatta, and on Saturday last the little township was simply swarming with visitors from all parts. The. weather was perfect, the strong rays of the sun being nicely tempered by a refreshing breeze from the river. Even after a lapse of six years the name has in no wise been forgotten, and judging by the attendance this year and the excellent sport afforded, the Mercer regatta bids fair to regain the popularity it held in the old days, when to miss it was to lose the event of the year. The reception of His Excellency the (Governor and the presentation of addresses lent an additional charm to the fixture. The viceRegal party arrived by special train from Hamilton a,c 10 a,in. At the station addresses were presented by the Regatta Association and the Waikato Maoris, Mr W. A. Graham acting as interpreter, In his reply, His Excellency thanked the natives foi their address of welcome. It gave him great pleasure, he said, to see representatives of both races contending together in friendly emulation and peaceful games, forgetting any disagreements which marred the past. lie assured them that Her Maje ty took the greati st interest in Her Maori subjects, as well as in the other vast multitudes who own Her beneficent sway, and reaped together with them the advantages of Her just and merciful rule. It was, he said, no small thing to belong to a world-wide Empire, and he thought it was their duty to do it honour and be ready to stand together not only in peaceful times, but in°tho time of trouble. Hori Kukutai (on behalf of the Waikato tribes) presented His Excellency with a taiaha, ornamented with feathers and Maori carving. A number of representative Maoris, including Te Where W r hero and Ucnari Kaihau, M.H.R.. were introduced to the Governor and family, but King Mahuta was conspicuous only by his absence. Some 50 Maoris, both male and female, danced a haka, and the Governor and party were escorted to the wharf by three Maori hands and a large crowd of interested spectators. Hero a grandstand had been erected just opposite the winning post, from wlnch the distinguished visitors obtained a splendid view of the races fiom end to end. The structure had been tastefully decorated for the occasion, and from the roof waved the Union Jack, with the New Zealand flag and the Stars and Stripes on the other staffs. With the exception of a short interval for luncheon at Mr Hallett's hotel, the party spent the whole of the time upon the river bank, and appeared to enjoy the sport thoroughly. The rowing races provided some most interesting racing. The West End crews won three out of the five events and St. George’s two, while the Auckland Club scored three seconds. The canoe hurdle races afforded endless amusement, while the “ whakatiwai ” competitions were most exciting. The tug-of-war was a novel fixture, and it created the greatest interest, the winners being loudly cheered. The last event witnessed by the vice-Royal parly was the exhibition of the laheretikitiki canoe in full war paint, manned by GO natives, which was indeed a pretty sight. It is estimated that over GOOD attended the Regatta, and Mr 0. 1\ Edwards, See re Gary to the Association, and his brother officials are to he complimented on the success which attend their gathering.