A TREASURE HUNT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 58, 9 March 1935, Page 2 (Supplement)

A TREASURE HUNT.

323, Gladstone Road, Gis borne. Bear Wendy, — I suppose most of us have read Robert Louis Stevenson's thrilling novel, "Treasure Island." To advertise the picture, which was shown here some little time ago, the manager of the theatre held an enjoyable gala function on the Waikanae Beach for okl and young alike. Well, Wendy, the weather was perfect, and experienced authority estimated that the largest crowd ever seen on the'beach turned out to enjoy the gala "Treasure Island" treasure hunt. Well, Wendy, all the boys and girls, dressed up as pirates, met at the post office at 2.30 p.m., and headed by a huge "Treasure Island" float, joined in the . procession and proceeded via Gladstone Road and Grey Street to the beach. There, on the sand, was buried the treasure, a, pirate's golden casket containing £2 in florins, besides 50 other valuable prizes in tins. They marched down to the water's edge, where they awaited the pirates' long boat. In about five minutes' time it hove in sight, and attempted to land on shore. Aboard her were Long John Silver and company of pirates, armed to the teeth, with cutlasses and knives. The children rushed into the shallow water and attacked the pirates. They were then brought ashore, and forced to plant a flag near the hidden treasure. Such a rush at the sand, Wendy. Some had shovels and spades, others were scratching up the sand with their fingers. That section of the beach was sifted as never before. Grown-ups ■■* joined in the fun, and every now and then fresh shouts of joy would tell you that, some of them had unearthed some of the hidden treasures. At last a young boy found the golden casket, where dozens of other people had been searching before Mm, and when asked what he would do with it he said, "Pay the gas bill." There was also a prize for the beet boy's and girl's costume. Speedboat and aquaplaning thrills added to the pleasure of the afternoon, and all returned home, Wendy, after having a very enjoyable afternoon. With best love from Dorothy Calvey.