EX-DIGGERS RELAX

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 270, 12 February 1941, Page 5

EX-DIGGERS RELAX

R.S.A. ANNUAL PICNIC

OUTING AT THORNTON BEACH

More popular than ever, was*

the general verdict of all attended! the Returned Soldiers'

Association's annual picnic to Thornton Beach last Saturday. The event was attended 1 by ap-i proximately 500 persons, the number of children: present being a feature which demonstrated that the "Diggers" could bcj relited upon to do their duty by their country in more ways than one. The usual informal sports programme look, place and 1 with the weather clerk well on* association's side nothing more could have been desired.

The picnickers came from all parts of the Rangitaiki, and it would have been harder to have found a happier throng. There was from the outset a 'freedom' and. friendliness which is ab sent all too often from social gatherings. It takes the 'diggers' to break down the barriers of reserve, and while the children swam and explored the beach, the adults indulged in picnic lunchcons under the trees, or took an active part in the races which Avere run off by the indefatigueable 'Taffy' Atkinson. Momentary consternation was caused by the loss of the 'refreshments' which had been buried in the sand as a precaution to keeping them cool. The burial party had. gone off on a boating excursion and in the meantime parched throats cried insistentty. it was a case of all hand's to the pumps, and in a second the beach was covered with hawk-eyed fossickers (one of whom went even 1 so far as to sniff the ground). A,ll good things come to those who wait long enough, and a hoarse crj" of triumph hailed thci lucky finder as he made his strike. The programme then proceeded to schedule.

Tbc arrival of the Pipe Band in the early afternoon created a new diA T ersion, and the brave challenge throAvn out by the Scots to pull the world in a tug-01-AA T ar Avas quickly

taken up by six of the stoutest diggers. The event brought the crowd round and the Caledonians received an ovation as they pulled double their Aveight in the first test. However the R.S. men leiarnt to make better use of their weight in the pull-offs, and by simply collapsing, remained • a flesh-anchor which the pipers despite all their blowing, could not disturb. So the honours went to the men of the first Expeditionary Force and they accepted it in the same manner in which they put it over Fritz and Johnny Turk, twenty years ago.

The Returned Soldier's race saw the champions romp home in the persons of F. Seddell and L. Brown in first and second posies. The pipers race (Blawing the reeds) was won by the juniors Mollie and R. Walton. While, the Home Guard also came into the pic.ture by showing 3 surprising leg, with H. Hex ted in the van.

A booth on the ground did good business and it was pleasant to note the number of family parties which gathered for mid-day lunch. An outboard dinghy made numerous trips up the river and what with presents and lolly scrambles for the children the day was a great success.

"I hope we will ftever have to refer to you as Returned Soldiers," said the president, Mr F. Brown, addressing the children present. He went on to thank all who had patronised and supported the event, and nounced winners of the competitions as follows: Doll, Miss Dorothy Arbucklo (130). 2nd prize, Mrs Kempt (16).

The call of the 'Herd' instinct took most of the dairy farmers away at 3 p.m. Others followed soon after but there were many who dccided to spend the cool of the evening on the grounds and the last the writer noted as he drove off was veteran Sam Browne, entertaining a group to selections on the accordeon.