HOLIDAY AMUSEMENTS:

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 306, 28 December 1891, Page 3

HOLIDAY AMUSEMENTS:

WATER EXCURSIONS.

Next to the Ellerslie races, the various I water excursions offering engaged tho atj tention of pleasure-seekers on Saturday. The weather was splendid, though a rather strong wesberly breeze was blowing, and from the appearance of the picnic parties on their return in the evening from their sea trips, it was evident bhab bhey had thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Thore were, it is estimated, close on 9,000 people afloat. on the various trips across the harbour or down thg gulf, and St. Helier's Bay probably attracted a greater proportion of visitors than any other resort. Mosb of fche excursionists refcurn.cl home in very good time, including those steamers which conveyed passengers to suchfar afield localities as Waiwera and Mahurangi Heads. Almost every staamer available in port was pressed into service for the occasion, besides bhe usual ferry steamers, and every boat went away fully loaded in the morning. Moro than ordinary precautions were taken by the morine authorities to prevent overcrowding of sbeamers, as the Customs Department had placed men to supervise the loading the vessels, and to prevent them from carrying more people than was safe.

Cruise in the Gult?.—On Christmas Day the only public excursion, besides the usual North Shore and Northcote ferry trips, was a cruise made by the p. 3. Eagle clown the Gulf and round the islands of Motutapu, Rangitoto, and Motuibi. Over 500 people were on board, and the excursion proved a really pleasant one. The Eagle made a special moonlight excursion round the harbour in the evening.

Mahurangi Heads and Waiwera.—Tho excursions furthest afield on Boxing Day were those made by the Northern Steamship Company's steamers Wellington and Clansman, to Waiwera and Mahurangi Heads respectively. The Clansman started at 10 a.m. with aboub 400 people on board, and also Hunter's Brass Band, which added greatly to the attractive nature of the trip. After spending a pleasant three hours in the pretty scenery of Mahurangi Heads, the excursionists embarked again at 4 p.m. and were landed in town soon after six' o'clock. Mr McLeod, the Company's providoro, was on board, and tbe excursionists had no reason to complain of the lack of creature comforts. Captain Farquhar was, as usual, the life and soul of the party, and did all in his power to make the excursion an enjoyable one, which it certainly

was. About three hundred excursionists were on board the e.s. Wellington afc 10 a.m., when she started for Waiwera, and bhe passengers had an enjoyable brip down to the Hot Springs. Dinner ab the hotel, a stroll around, and a babhe in the Springs filled up the time till the hour of departure. The much-dreaded landing was very smooth, fortunately.

Putiki Bay.—Tlie s.s. Rose Casey ran a public excursion down to Putiki Bay, in the island of Waiheke, and conveyed a large number Of excursionists down to that pretty locality, returning early in the evening. At Putiki Bay, too, tho Bible Class of the Newmarket Wesleyan Church held thoir firsb annual picnic on Boxing Day. The s.s. Waitoa was chartered for the occasion, and left the wharf at 9.30, calling at Devonport to. pick up tbe Rev. S. J. Serpell, loader of the Bible Class, and pfcher friends who were stopping there. The party then proceeded to Putiki Bay, where a very pleasant day was spent, returning home ab 8.30, all well pleased with the day's outing. Tho s.s. Coromandel conveyed the Alexan-dra-street Primitive Methodists down to Putiki Bay, Waiheke, for their annual picnic. The steamer was crowded, about 200 people being ahoard A pleasant clay was spent in various recreations. One of th. mosb enjoyabie picnics of the day was that of the Auckland Cabholic Literary Society, tho members and friends of whicii voyaged down to Putiki Bay, in the Hauraki S.S. Company's fine new steamer Paeroa. A pleasant day was spent, thero being about 120 fcrippiats present. Amongst bhe guesbs wa3 fche Rev. Dr. Egan.

St. Helier's.—Sb. Helier's Bay was 'better patronised than any other public resort on Boxing Day. The two fine ferry steamers Eagle and Britannia wero flying thither during the day, and did very good business, conveying between 3,000 and 4,000 passengers down to tho Bay. The Sundayschool connected with the Church of Christ held a mosb successful picnic afc this place. The Helping Hand Mission picnic was held afc Sb. Helier's Bay, some livo hundred people proceeding down to that locality under the auspices of tho Mission, aecompaniod by tho Mission Brass Band. Ab a camp meebing in the afternoon addresses were delivered by Messrs Parker, Ross, Leonard, and others.

St. James's Presbyterian Church Picnic.—This picnic was held at Mobuihi Island, tho s.s. Waiotahi, of tho Northern S.S. Company's fleet, taking down the membeer of the congregation and their friends. Captain Norbury landed his passengers on tho eastern side of the island, and the landing was effected safely and easily. An excellent luncheon was served by Mr Crawford, and the afternoon was spent in sports and games of various fiorfc3. On reaching the home wharf tho ship's company sang " Auld Lang Syne." and gave three cheers for Capfc. Norbury and for fche commibtee which had arranged bhe trip. Capt; Norbury was kindness itself throughout the day, and the passengers spoke glowingly of his care for fche safety and his anxiety for the pleasure of bhe little ones under his charge

Tabernacle Picnic.—Themembers of the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle and their frionds held their annual picnic at the Pah Farm, Onehunga, journeying out to that locality by 'bus and car. The place was found to be in every way suitable for picnicking, and all present spent a pleasant day. Mr and Mrs Muyer and daughter, and their band of boys from Dr. Barnardo's Homes, were present, and tbo Rev. T. Spurgeon addressed a gathering under the trees, as also did Mr Mayer. The afternoon was spent in games, singing, ebc.

Waiheke.—The p.s. Te Aroha visited Waiheke with a good number of passengers, Captain Sullivan landing his excursioniscs ab Thomson's Wharf, Ardrossan.

Northcobe, Birkenhead, and bhe North Shore, as uaual, attracted several thousands ol excursionists during the day.

Home Bay. —The Hauraki Steamship Company's steamers Maori and Ruby visited Home Bay, Motutapu, on Saturday with picnic parties, and s.s. Beatrice visited the same locality.

The s.s. Ohinemuri made a trip down to Home Bay, Motutapu, with the children of the United. Methodist Sunday-school and bheir parenbs and friends. After lunch, the party, numbering some 200 in all, indulged in all kinds of holiday pastimes until timo came for leaving.