ODDFELLOWS' PICNIC.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 50, 27 February 1915, Page 9

ODDFELLOWS' PICNIC.

» BIG GATHERING AT THE -> DOMAIN. SPORTS AND ; DANCING COMPETITIONS. BAND CONTESTS A FEATURE. It is thp prido of the Manchester Unity Oddfellows of tlio Auckland provincial district that they have worked up one of the biggest, if not the biggest, w annual picnics in the Southern Hcmix, sphere. Time was. not so very long ago, ts when thousands of people from all parts it of the province were wont to rendezvous w at Motutapu for the gay occasion, and iy it was quite usual for leading politicians of the day to be present and even to speak. Nowadays the promoters of the event consider that the convenience of country visitors is better met by holding the picnic in Auckland. That is being done to-day. The scene of festivities is the £■ Auckland Domain, and Oddfellows, with their families and friends, .have come from far and near by special trains and steamers and tram-cars. ), Early in the forenoon citizens were f- made aware of the occasion by the x r marching of various hands through thp g- main streets en route to the Domain le Cricket Ground. Unfortunately the v. weather wa.s somewhat overcast, but it s- would seemingly take more than this le to dampen the ardour of the many inly terested in the gala outing. Festivities 0 "f were got under way pvumptly, and during the morning a series of races l 0 were run for the ohifdren. lt After midday there commenced a programme of English. SeotUsn, and Irjsh o . dancing and quickstep contests for brass <c bands and boys' drum and life bands. o This latter innovation wals highly apn( j preciated by the gathering. The contest tv was conducted under tht rules of the North Island Brass Band Association, and over £100 was given in prizes. The spirit of patriotism has caused the Manchester Unity Oddfellows to devote the proceeds of their "23rd annual H. picnic to the Patriotic Distress Fund. For the efficient organisation of the carnival special credit is due to the chairman of committee (Rro. A. J. Pople). P.0.M.). anil to the honorary secretary Bro. A. J. McLcod. P.G.M.). They t, c were rendered valuable assistance'by the tv deputy-chairman (Bro. V. A. Smith. p T P.D.G.M.), and the members of a strong re committee. , n . There were five entries for the Boys' j. Drum and Fife Hand quirk-step contest, o f as follows:—drey Mount Eden. ■q Thames. Ponsonby, and Ponsonby No. 2. A similar number of bands entered for the Brass Bands quickstep contest, viz., YVaihi Federal. Temperance Guards, Auckland Garrison Artillery. Onehiinga, and 16th Waikato Regiment. Mr. Fred \V. G. MeLeod. of Ipswich. Queensland, acted as judge for both contests, and also conducted the massed bands in the selection " Imperial Echoes."'