Milburn.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 109, 3 February 1903, Page 5

Milburn.

' (Fbom Ou» Own Cobrbspondbnt.) aknoal school pionio. I The annual school picnic was indulged in i last Thursday, Waihola being the scene of merrimenb this year. A large number journeyed thither by the 8.45 train, and thus had the full benefit of the weather changes, so prevalent now-adays. The remainder drove down after mid-day, and as the weather had then obtained a more settled policy, they had the pleasure of getting through the afternoon under pleasanter conditions. The committee kept the youngsters going " quick and lively" — foot races, twos and threes, French Tig, and all the various games usually indulged in being followed in quick succession. Some of the more venturesome went a-sailing on the lake, and thus increased their appetite for the good things which the baskets and boilers contained. Each family btought along a liberal stipply of eatables, the committee supplying tea in abundant quantity. A number of holiday-makers from Dunedin were in the vicinity, and were able to further increase their knowledge as to the bent of the country kiddies. Towards evening the youngsters were in for a special " windfall." Mr Ewing, of the Clarendon Phosphate works, got going, and his bump of benevolence threw out special inducements to the physically fit to get to the tape early and often, and secure a hansome prize in sterling silver. He had all the boys sod girls racing, and the prizes got a boost up from sixpences and " thruppences," to half- ! orowns and shillings. Altogether a very enjoyable day was spent, and the children came home voting the picnic to be " one of the best;" CLARENDON SUNDAY 9COOL PICNIC AND PRESENTATION TO "THE BRABYNS." On Friday another very pleasant day was indulged in. This was the annual picnic in connection with Mr W. T. Brabyu's Sunday School. As usual, it was held in the paddock adjoining the Horseshoe barn, kindly lent for the occasion. For the information of your readers, I may mention that Mr Brabyn, junior, Mrs and Miss Brabyn have for years given the use of their commodious dwelliug to all the children in the neighborhood of Clarendon, and furthermore, have every Sunday taught Bible lessons, songs of praise, and good morals to the lads and lasses. This labor of love they have farther supplemented by giving cards, tickets, and books to each and all of the children. Their valued work deserves the highest commendation, and during the afternoon under review, they were the recipients of some practical testimony from the thankfu] parents. Immediately after tea was finished— about four o'clock — the Rev. G. Budd called Mr, Mrs, and Mias Brabyn to the front, remarking that he had a very pleasant duty to perform. He had been asked by the parents and scholars to present on their behalf to Mr Brabyn, junior, and to Miss Brabyn, a handsome Bible each, and to Mrs Brabyn a beautiful pair of floral vases. He spoke at some length of the great amount of good that the teachers were doing in their district, and he trusted they would long be spared to oarry on the labor of love. He specially mentioned the amount of energy, as well as ability, that Mr Brabyn put into his work. He called for three hearty cheers for the teachers, which request was responded to in "no small voice." The scholars then got together and joined in singing the favorite hymn, " Shall we gather ab the river ?" Mr Brabyn, in replying, spoke feelingly of the kindness which prompted the handsome gifts. The conducting of the Sunday School had always afforded his sister and himself a great amount of pleasure, and it was pleasant to know that their small efforts were appreciated by the parents. Any children who had not yet come along to the house on Sunday afternoons were gladly invited to do so, and he would always endeavor to the best of his ability, to teach them something that would be of value to them when they come to undertake the more advanced stages of life. From the bottom of hia heart he thanked all the contributors for their valued presents. He hoped they would spend a very pleasant evening, and all come back again in good health and strength next year. The children did not seem in any way tired with their previous day's outing, as they romped and ran, skipped and scampered around to their heart's content. Mr Brabyn was ever there with a race on hand, a jumping contest, a scatter of lollies, and all the different diversions thai a picnic embraces, It was nearly dark ere the last of the merrym kers departed, and all were unanimous i'> saying that it was an Al affair. LOOKING BACKWARD AND FORWARD. The School opens again this week, and the boys and girls once more begin to advance their education. Reviewing thf» various tendencies of the Day School, the Sunday School, and the school picnics, calls to mind what Horace Mann, the celebrated American educator, once remarked in speaking of the *' Aim of Education," " The Aim of Education," he said, " should be to prepare the individual to make the most of himself in life. It should be a process which will make the most practical men, the most effective workers for the advancement of all human institutions. Any system which neglects anyone of the ; three departments of human nature, mental, moral, or physical, must necessarily be a I failure. Mental and moral discipline, without proper attention to the physical wellbeing may ia m.any respects qualify men for great usefulness in those departments of human life, but will very likely leave them so lacking in physical force and stamina required for an active and useful life as to render them dead- weights upon Society, rather than effective agents for the advancement of its interests." The Day School educates the mental, the Sunday School the moral and spiritual, and the games and picnic romps tend to educate the physical, which, last is ". the soil from which spring Sowers of mental «,nd spiritual loveliness,"