THE PREMIER PICNIC.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 36, 10 February 1906, Page 5

THE PREMIER PICNIC.

• - ■ MONSTER GATHERING AT MOTUTAPU. The Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows', Auckland district, held their Fourteenth Premier Picnic at Motutapu Island to-day when excursionists from various ports of the province were present in large numbers. The number of people leaving the city by this morning's boats was not quite equal to last year, but it was expected the afternoon's boats would be taxed to their utmost. Five steamers were dispatched this morning, and five during the afternoon. The Thames boat brought a very large number, while there was also a big increase in the number of visitors from tho Upper Thames. Boats also landed visitors from the settlements round about the harbour and Whangarei, Warkworth, Waipu and Coromandel. The attendance at last year's function was estimated at 14,000, which constituted a record. It is expected that the. attendance this year will reach within a couple of thousand of last year's record. The boats took the crowds to Home Bay, which is one of the prettiest spot's in this favourite island resort. The lowlying land was covered with dense masses of people throughout the day, the sports and side attracting considerable attention. The Bay presented an animated appearance, being crowded with steamers and an ever-increasing number of yachts nnd other craft. The sports programme provided racing for all classes, from thejiittle ones to the professional runner. The juvenile races were held during the morning, and -the children entered into the spirit of the proceedings with unbounded enthusiasm. The other races, took place during the afternoc/i. The committee received a telegram i from the Premier to-day, in which Mr I Seddon expressed his regret at not being present at their picnic, stating that !he had been detained in Wellington owing to the departure to-day of Sir Joseph Ward for Rome, where he attends tbe Postal Conference. The legislature, however, was well represented, the following M.H.R.'s being present:—Messrs A. Kidd, E. W. Alison; F. LawTy, W. F. Massey and H. Poland. Mr Massey, on "behalf of the committee, presented Mrs Reid, wife of the owner of the island, with a pearl and opal gold brooch. The Devonport and Karangahape Brass Bands enlivened 1 the proceedings on the island with a number of musical selections, and Piper •7. W. Elmslie, of Waikino, was also nrosent. Special provision has been made to get the people away from the island this evening with all possible disupatc-h, and boats will-leave the island at short intervals after five o'clock. I _