PREMIER PICNIC.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 37, 12 February 1910, Page 10

PREMIER PICNIC.

The sixty-sixth anniversary of the foundation of the M.U., 1.0.0. F., lodges was celebrated to-day by the holding of the Premier Picnic, which is proceeding at Motutapu. Owing tq the cloudy weather, the morning boats did not attract as many people as might otherwise have been expected, still, nevertheless., they were well patronised, the 9.30 boat taking away 800 people and the following boat about 600. The noon boat was dispatched with a full complement, upwards of 800 travelling by her, while the afternoon boats carried between them 1200 people. The Paeroa steamer landed 280 people at Motutapu, and the vessels arriving from the various centres around the Hauraki Gulf were all well patronised The Auckland City Band i 3 in attendance, and there are numerous games provided for visitors. A sports programme comprising 29 event's is set down for decision, and should attract a great deal of attention. Valuable prizes have been donated, and the committee have supplemented these with over £75 in prize money. Owing to the length" of the programme, it is not 'expected that the sports will be finished much before halfpast five, and it will be quite six o'clock before the majority of the picnickers return to town. The Hon. Dr. J. G. Findlay, who arrived by the express from the South this morning, proceeded to the picnic by the one o'clock steamer. He was met at the railway station this morning by Messrs. J. McLeod and E. Leydon, representing the Oddfellows.