THE FETE AT LAKE TAKAPUNA.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIX, Issue 1702, 2 January 1863, Page 4

THE FETE AT LAKE TAKAPUNA.

Among the many pleasures which at this festive season, present themselves for the acceptance of our good citizens, not the least attractive was the pleasure trip to Lake Takapuna, on the North Shore At an early hour yesterday morning the wharves presented a gay and gladsome sceue. Towards the Queen-street Wharf and the Wynyard Pier largo numbers of plea-snre-seekers might have been observed wending their way from the various quarters of the city and its suburbs. Each p rty appeared loaded with hampers indicative of their intention to make the best of the occasion. No gloomy co mtenance was anywhere to be seen ; on the contrary — in every face appeared the indication of the nearest approach to perfect felicity. Every kind of craft was pressed into the service on the occasion ; boats which since Christmas of 1861 had known no nobler duty than the conveyance of firewood or Maori produce to aud from the adjacent ports, were yesterday brought into requisition to carry freights most precious. Upon the steamer ' Tasmanian Maid ' was the greatest attention bestowed by those desirous of passing a pleasant day at the Lake. Each trip she made, an excessive number crowded aboard, and theieby prevented the time table from being striotly adhered to. The happy beamingcountenances of the juvenile portion of the excursionists plainly told how welcome to them were the festivities; how 1 elieved from thedread of the birch and its dread wielder they could enter into the gaieties with that life and spirit so peculiar to their tender natures. Pater-famihas, relieved for tbe nonce from the toils of labour or the cares of business seemed in his glory— no other thought than that of enjoyment appeared to hold possession of him. And in the bosom of mater-familias what other feeling than that of joyousuess could reign as she looked upon her happy offspring ? Young men and maidens too, in goodly numbers, sought relief from their imaginary cares in the pleasures of an excursion. For out-door amusements the weather was all that coultt be desired ; in fact, if it could be made to order, it would be hardly possible that it could be more propitious. The various excursionists, having embarked, either in steamer or sailing craft, were safely conveyed to their destination, — the scene of the intended gaieties, and on the beach contiguous to it were safely landed. No confusion or other disagreeable circumstances prevailed to mar their pleasures. There could not have been many less than two thousand pleasure-seekers at the Lake ; and these, when landed, dispersed themselves in little picnic parties and otherwise about the beautiful borders of Takapuua. Undoubtedly the Lake is a most attractive spot, and always will be. Nature has formed it with surroundings bo lovely that it is almost impossible that— (art, we weie about to say) — human interference can destroy its loveliness. Every variety of scenery is there to be found profusely scattered. To give an adequate idea of its position and features woiild take more space than is at our command on this occasion. Dispersed along its borders were many happy picnicers, all apparently bent upon enjoying themselves to the fullest extent. All things combined seemed to say "be happy," and happy all combined seemed to be. Grassy slopes and shady groves were sought ; and being discovered, were taken possession of, apparently to the intense satisfaction of the discoverers. Heie, after some time passed in exhilirating amusements, the dainties of the larder were spread by various groups of rural diners. In these sylvan retreats the laugh and the song went round, mingled with the clatter of knives aud plates, and the occasional popping of bottled— say, lemonade,— with which the nervous man would be startled by the man of nerve trying that handy mode of uncorking a bottle so well adapted for picnics and picnicers — the " Kentucky Corkscrew " —as the capitation of a bottle is known. Others, again, who preferred a quiet ramble by the sea-shore, had ample opportunities of indulging in such propensities. The waves, which yesterday might be called wavelets, of the Hauraki Gulf beat slowly but unceasingly upon its shore, falling with sweetest cadence on the ear— their murmurings according with the honeyed words and impassioned thoughts of the loving swains and coy maidens who lingered on the pebbley strand. A few boats on the Lake releived any monotony that might otherwise be apparent With sail or skull they skimmed across its glassy surface to the delight of their occupants. A few more adventurous and ambitions spirits, desirous of enjoying or signalizing themselves, took possession of a tub, which for some time had lain undisturbed on the margin of the lake. In this tub one unhappy mortal started on his voyage of discovery, but, alas ! he had not proceeded far when his scientific designs were crushed by the sudden and unexpected upsetting of the tub, and the consequent immersion of the explorer, to his great discomfort. Near the booth upon the hill, which intervenes between the landing-place and the Lake, there was a Ijand of music and— of course, the witching g^oddes* Terpsichore had her devotees, who tripped it gaily on the greensward, and through the , windings and intricacies of the mazy dance it was a .pleasure to see them go. Some few betook themselves to the game (?) known as "kiss-in-the-ring," and to all appearance enjoyed themselves thereat. The game of "Aunt Sally " is becoming quite an institution in the colonies, and yesterday at the Lake gave much enjoyment to the pursuers of its pleasures, who were not few. For the manlygames of cricket, quoits; football. &c, ample proviaions were made, and each and all had their particular adherents. At the booth on the hill refreshments of good quality were dispensed at reasonable rates The view from the gpot is a most enchanting one, and it would be difficult 1 to" find ita equal for scenic beauty. Here at least,. i« Auckland unrivalled. Twenty yearn ago -what would liave been snid of the

manjwho .would venture,,, tolpvophesy., that , at Jjdke , Takapuna bo glorious and happy a scone would present ' itself "iio the^sp&oiiators; vieV 'yesterday, yet, •uch'it tivwi \ and' who" shall say what tweniy 'years niore may do. The sports were k'opt up with spirit throucthout the entire day—they never once flagged. The onarm* of music were irresistable by those whose*' passionate devotion the Terpsiohorean divinity would ever keep them mazily 'winding, and when at last the shades of evening gathered round, the time 'for parting oame, it was not with a willing spirit thoy ceased their delightful enjoyment. Vain Wjpre.the 'appeals to the dispensers of crochets and quavers, ?or one more quadrille ;— in its anbient case "was tlio more ancient oremona deposited, and to the steamer and boats the exoursionists turned their lingering steps. Their only regret was that of leaving, tjie scene of their enjoyment. The sail home was iiloa- ' snnt beyond description and no acoident of any kind occurred to mar the pleasures of a really Happy New Year's Day.