Solomon Seas Festival not

quite up to scratch

The second annual Festival of the Solomon Seas was held at Point Cruz in late May, and large crowds lined the waterfront to watch the aquatic events and cheer the competitors on.

However, it wasn’t quite up to the standard of last year’s Festival. Due to transport difficulties none of the seven war canoes being specially prepared in the district for the day was present. And the organising secretary, Mr. Jim Michie said it was a pity that only 11 ships entered for the Pride of the Solomons Seas contest, and that no competitors or displays came from anywhere other than Honiara. Nonetheless, he said, there could be nothing but praise for the organisation of the Festival.

The contest for the Pride of the Solomon Seas was won by the Kwan How Yuan vessel New Auki, which for the next 12 months is now entitled to carry the copper cockerel trophy at her masthead.

New Auki gained 36 points in the contest out of a maximum 45, and was followed by last year’s winner, the SSEC vessel Evangel with 34 points, and the Belama with 31 points.

This year, for lack of sufficient entries in the seamanship trials, the Pride of the Solomon Seas contest was based on the inspection of the ships.

Supporting events at the festival included a water ski-ing demonstration arranged by Guadalcanal Plains Ltd., a formation fly-past by Solair, a decorated float-past of nine powered

craft by local power-boat enthusiasts, and a two-hour dancing display in the evening, which was watched by a large crowd on the wharf, Islands were widely represented in the display and included Roviana, Sikaiana, both the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Tikopia, Malaita, the Reef Islands, Ontong Java and Rennell and Bellona.

Apart from the excitement of the copra loading, canoe racing and other competitive events, two unscheduled displays drew much laughter from the crowd.

In one, two canoes of disguised VSO’s intended to simulate battle between the Administration and an invading war party, but unfortunately the Administration, Union Jack held high, was swamped and sunk by a passing speed boat, Most of the team—John Duffyn, John Wickham, Charles Naylor and Simon Boex—were non-swimmers, yet made their way in a rescue boat to the warparty—Chris Adams, Mike Sherwood, Bob Baggott and Stephen Trivett—to continue the battle, All eight canoeists finished up in the water.

There was more laughter when hefty policeman, John Gina, was en ticed to try his hand at water ski-ing.

His two attempts both ended up under the surface.

The three-man canoe race at the second Festival of the Solomon Seas, Guadalcanal.