BOYS' OWN COLUMN

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 67, 19 March 1932, Page 2 (Supplement)

BOYS' OWN COLUMN

. THE CIRCUS PASSES ON. MEMORIES OF SCHOOL PICNICS OF YORE. Dear Boys,— There was great excitement in the city this morning, when the circus people who have been "in residence" on the old dock site, packed up their belongings prior to boarding the Maunganui, bound for Sydney. Huge tents and marquees came down in record time and were packed away with the ease that tells of long practice. The animals, all safely housed, knew what was about to happen, I know, and one wonders just what were their thoughts concerning the long sea voyage which lay ahead of them. One fhing that was pleasant to notice" was the fact several men wore detailed off to rake up and burn the litter and rubbish ever associated with a travelling show. When the ground was finally evacuated few would realise that a huge family of men and women and animals had made a home there for over a week. As 1 strolled on towards the wharves a happy cheer broke in on my thoughts, and I looked up to see a fussy ferry boat steaming out with a "freight"' of school children. What a happy, laughing crowd they were — teachcrs, mothers, and some fathers too —all bent on a long, happy day free from the cares of school or home or office. Well I remember the wonderful times I had at the picnics of my own school days, and for the moment temptation to join in the fun was almost r too strong to resist. But I did, and this letter to-day is proof of that. V^T Here's good luck to circuses and school picnics the world over.