PICNIC AT KATIKATI.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XV, Issue 2219, 2 December 1887, Page 4

PICNIC AT KATIKATI.

Ok" Saturday last 26th inst. a very pleasant picnic to the Waihi beach was given by Captain and Mrs Hugh Stewart. The guests who numbered upwards of 45 assembled at an early hour at Athenree, tho residence of Captain H Stewart, Trom whence after a short rest they proceeded in conveyances of various lands, and on horseback along the road leading past Mr Faulkner's property, across tbe ford and over the sand hills on to the glorious Waihi beacn. The morning which showed signs of wind gave more hopeful indications of good behaviour as the hours wore on, changing towards noon into a pleasantly cool day with a fresh breeze aud not too much sub. To describe the Waihi beach in such a way as to convey to those who have not been there even a faint idea of its grandeur, would be indeed a difficult task. Enough that the lands reach for several miles white, level, and hard, with not a river to obstruct their unbroken expanse nor a swamp to check the firm natural highway. To the left lies a low range of sand mounds with a pretty sketch of fern clad hills in the Back-ground, whilst to the right tho billowly waves of the rolling Pacific foam along t>e vast stretch of shore. An irresestible temptation is offered to riders inclined for a " §pin " by the beautifully level finds, indeed the horses themselves •36tn to know what is expected of them, and soon come to share their riders' desire for a gallop. The 11 pleasure seekers " of Saturday appeared fully aware of the opportunity thus afforded, and too quickly, aJas ! disposf dof the 4 miles of beach, arriving at the Waihi heads about 1 o'clock p.m. The spot chosen for the picnic lay witb-n a quiet g<.*een nook, sheltered by a back ground of hills, and covered with a picturesque grove of potuakawa trees, about half way between the native settlement to the) right and the hold headland to the left. Arrived on the ground the horses were quickly unsaddled, tethered where their owners thought the. feed looked moat inviting, or turaed leose to wander through the trees. The provisions were next carried to the spot c bos tn for the "*i*read" where a most tempting repast quickly made its appearance, at once a triumph of cuV nary art and packer's ■kill, the puzzle being indeed how such a variety of delicacies was brought so great a distance with such safety. The great business of the day, dinner, over, the guests found occupation in exploring the many places of interest in the »icia'.ty, returning after a long ramble to the " dining ground," where a variety of games caused time s'mply to take wings and fly, jumping, quoit throwing, boxing, and cricket, being amongst tbe many sources of amusements. Perhaps tbe •vent of the evening was a ladies' cricket match in which two teams of 4 a side batted against each other whilst the gentlemen fielded. The pitch was level and smooth with a good sod, a batter's rather than a bowler's wicket, and some pretty cricket rewarded the spectators who displayed throughout the match the greatest inteiest in both play and players. Miss C. Anderson was the first at the wickets aud opposed the bowling of' Miss Ansley. The 3 opening balls' were well Kept down, being played bard along the ground to long off, who however proved too ■harp ?n the field for a run to be made. The first ball of the 3rd over, a carefully pitched " half volly," was hit clean over the bowler's head for 2, and the 3 succeeding balls each contributed ono to the score. A pretty forward d rive was unfortunately ■topped by a clomp of rushes, and the first wicket fell for a total of 10. Hiss Killen came next but did not make a long stand, being disposed of : after adding 3 to the »core. Mi set Mulgan gut her third ball well away to sauare leg for 1, and driving the next between long off aud the bowler brought the figure up to 22. The Ist ball of the next over dropped off her bat ittto point's hands aud was held. Miss Mulvany followed when after some graceful backpay managed to get one beyond the reach of "mid on " for two ; runs now come fast and the last wicket fell for a total of 89. Miss Ansley for the opposite side made a good stand putting together 8 runs by clean forward play including two drives to the on for 2, and one cut between the points for 3. The 4th ball of the 3rd over however, a horrid "Yorker," got uadec her bat and into tbe stamps. Miss W. Anderson followed, and played one into cover-point's hands, but the umpire ruled it a "no ball," and the next sent long-leg flying over the sands. A little wrist play gave the 'Blips soEetlrng to do, and sent the telegraph up to 20, when long-stop got a efcarp catch and held it. Miss May Anderson got one away ever the bowler's head for two, and a second for three past mid-on. Three off drives added five more to the Bcore, when an unfortunate lump on the ground caused her to " sky" one, which was cleverelv v aught by the bowler. The total had now reached 35, and the match being a single-day one, was de* cided on the first innings. It should be mentioned that the losing side played one lady short. At the close of the match refreshments were again served, ; and; *oon afterwards, the horses beingr saddled, etc., a start was made for 4-thenree, where all arrived aboift & o'clock, in time to do justice to a mott escelle-nt tea, and the day was brought to a clob© at XX o'^ock by a very enjoyable

dance. There are few places in New Zealand where such genuiuo friendship and neighbourly feeling exists amongst the community as is to be found at Katikat't. a blessing wh<ch is mainly owing to tbe exertions of settlers Ike Captaia and Mrs Stewart, who take such pains by bringing settlers together to cement the bonds of frendship between theui.

The following reading matter appeared n Tuesday's Town EiV'ion : —