KAWHIA REGATTA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1971, 24 February 1885, Page 2

KAWHIA REGATTA.

Kuwiiv uih en fete on KncUy la-t, 20th inst., when a mm y successful day's spoit in tho slnpe of a legatta took place in tin piesence of soino thousand spectator (native and European) the dusky 1 »cc roll nit; up m gioit n\nul)cr-«. Visitois came Imm f<u and nun, amongst whom mom Messrs Johnson and Btegman, the fonnei luting dmeii over from Aleuindin hv the nuw road, aftei having overcome l» irtl-.lii] i-^, m. mi fold, he having at times to lower tin 1 buggy down precipices with tho aid of ropes and native labour, tho hor-e b-mg dnven on in front. Mr Johnson's was the fir-»t buggy diiven over thernad. Biegm.iu p<M formed a liko fe.it on the AotetIvjulu.i rond in n spring c.irt, and it is to be hoped that these gentlemen will lie the pionwisnf various enterprising individuals, which I have no doubt will bo tho case as this rising township becomes better known. The steamei H uin.ih MoUavi, aruved in the early morning, was g.uly decked with bunting, and did duty as flag-ship. The ciwtonics of the native* were various and gorgeou*, langmg from the Portuguese full dress (cocked hat and spurs), to West Knd M.ishei dom. The music which on this occasion soothed the savage breast, and enlivened the bosoms of the more enlightened pait of the community, was sweetly discoursed from mom until dewy eve by the amateur band of the A.C. stationed at Okoko, who hnd km.Jly Volunteered their services. At 11.30 a.m. tho first race, for four oared boats, was B Luted, resulting in a win for the Kahawai, owned and manned by members of the[\.C, who rowed w ith vigour and secured a well merited victory. Next canio a Canoe Hurdle Rice, a novelty to Europeans. The hurdles wore fixed in the ground, standing s iinn !) inches above the water, over which the canne-. h,id to pass. There were four entries for tins race, which caused much amusement and laughter, tho skill with which the M>u>tal canoes were piloted over the hurdles being most remarkable. The ne\t on the programme was a sailing race for boats of any sue and rig, mi ii"d by residents (Native or European) in Kauhn district. After n good contest the r.ice w.i-. won by the Wakapuhoi, owned l>v the Ngatimahutas. Unfoitunately another Maori owned boat got .swamped and hid to give up, or she would have in all piob ibility secured the prize. The Siding llace was f Mowed bv a Maoii Canoe Race, limited ti> p.uMle-! Theie wer 1 three eiitnes, tho victoi turning up in Mr.T. Cowell's i.inoe. After this Uie Dingy Race took \Aacj, three boats stai tmg. Mr Harris' Lilly won easily. The Whalebo.it Race came next, the wnmei appearing in the Kahawai, \vluch was well rowed from stait to finish. Peih.ipsthe gieat featuie of tho day wax the Laige Canoe H.ujo, which is, like tho moa and kami, fast becoming extinct. Although this was not a sight to astonish the natne-i, yet it afforded emsideiable diversion a.nd astonishment to the pale face*, each canoe being manned by upwards of 20 muscular natives, in full war-paint. Paint, in this instance, was more conspicuous than clothing. The victorious Nirntimahutas were welcomed with a haka by the ladies of their tribe on passing tho winning post. These lovely damsels, by their graceful pose and fisuies, excited the unbounded admit ation of the spectators. The regatta concluded with a Duck Hunt, which \vo» warmly cmtested, and created considerable ainu sement. While the regatta was in progress, various amusements were indulged in >>n the lk\ieh. one in particular consisting of i juvenile Maoris tiying to obtain in then mouths an apple, tied with a string, .mill dangling from a pole, the said apple having previously been dipped in treacle. In some c ises the youngsters wore aim >st un recognisable, their faces and garments being plentifully.besmeaied. Auoth.i side show consisted of a Lugo till) filled vvit'i water and placed on tho ground, sixpences were (hopped into the tub, and Maori women amused themselves and the spectator* by dipping their heads in and picking the sixpences out with their teeth. Thegieit Micces* of this iega,tti was undoubtedly ov. ing to tho indefatigable r.ud praiscwoithy efforts of Messis Langtiv and lsoinonger in particul.ii, and the committee geneially. The Nation. il Anthem brought the d;\\ s pioceedings to a successful ii-,ue-— (Own Correspondent.)