LIMBLESS SOLDIERS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 38, 15 February 1933, Page 14

LIMBLESS SOLDIERS

PICNIC AT WORSER BAY

ENJOYABLE OUTING

The picnic given to limbless returned soldiers .by the Evans Bay Yacht and Motor-boat Club was held at Worser Bay on Sunday. The limbless men, with their wives and families, numbered 110, and club members took the total to over 200 The following yachts and launches were made available for the outing:— Wairere II (Mr. E. W. P. Bucholz), Atalanta (Mr. B. Tonks), Wairere I (Mr.-G. Parkin), Romp (Mr. L. J. Ibbotson), Clutha (Mr. A. O. Ibbotson), Bawene (Mr. H. Duncan), Annetta (Mr. Smith), Poneke (Mr. H. Elliott), Veca (Messrs. Harvey and WeineJ, Tana (Mr. D. Robertsou), Stella (Mr. S. Levin), Dana (Mi-. A. Burton), Bawhiti (Mr. S. F. Bailey), Dawn (Mr. C. A. Livingston). A lengthy sports programme was carried out during the day, and a silver challenge shield, presented by the club for the highest points scored in certain events, was won for the first time by the men with leg amputations, the points being "limbies" 30, "wingies" 26. Lunch and afternoon tea were served in the Worser Bay Boating Club's clubhouse, where an Evans Bay committee, under the supervision of Mesdames Harding and Wilkinson, dealt efficiently with the task of satisfying the needs of the large gathering. The club's committee responsible for the carrying out of the function consisted of Captain W. J. Keane (commodore). Mi-. A. J. Ibbotson (vice-commodore), and Messrs. H. Duncan and H. S. Hannah, who were ably assisted by Mr. J. Spence (secretary, Wellington R.S.A.) and Mrs. Spence, and Messrs. F. Thompson and W. Williams (of the Limbless Men's Association).' Addressing the gathering, Captain W. J. Keane said that it gave the Evans Bay Club great pleasure to provide the outing for the limbless men. The institution of the picnic was the outcome of a very kindly thought on the part of the club's previous commodore, the late Mr. A. J. Ibbotson. The club would see that the picnic was held annually, and he felt sure that it would be agreed that the spirit and energy shown by the limbless men in overcoming their disabilities were an inspiration to all. In thanking the many Helpers, Captain Keane mentioned Mr. Hannah, who bore the brunt of the work in organising and controlling the picnic. The club was indebted to Messrs. Hutcheson, Wilson, and Co., Messrs. Briscoe, Mills, and Co., and many others who donated trophies and prizes, and to the Worser Bay Boating Club and the Worser Bay Swimming Club for the free use of their clubhouse and bathing sheds. Thanks were also due to all the boatowners who placed their craft at the club's disposal. Mr._ J. Paterson, president of the club, on being called upon to present the prizes', said that the club had set out to give the limbless men a good day, but he thought that the boot was largely on the other foot. The limbless men had given the club a wonderful day. . Mr. W. Williams, secretary of the Limbless Men's Association, thanked the club on behalf of himself and brother "limbies," and said that they appreciated the great amount of expense, work, and self-sacri-fice which the outing meant to the club. The outing was the day of the year for them, and it meant a great deal to be able to gather together and compete in the various events on the programme. They missed their fine old friend, the late Mr. A. J. Ibbotson, who had passed away last year, but they would always remember his kindly thought for them. Mr. J. Spence also thanked the club on behalf of the R.S.A. SPORTS PROGRAMME. The sports events resulted as follows:— Dinghy Race.—C. J. Webster, 1: W. Williams, 2; F. Thompson, 3. 100 yds Sprint, "Limbies" (above knee).— W. Williams, 1; G. E. Tandy, 2; M. Shecran, 3. , 100 yds Sprint, '"Limbies" (below knee).— H. G. Garrett, 1; T. F. Smith, 2. 100 yds Sprint, "Wingies."—E. A. Robinson, I; A. E. Ogilvie, 2; H. GiffordMoore, 3. 100 yds Walking Race, "Limbies."—F. Thompson and A. J. Ryan (dead heat), 1; A. Pastorelli, 3. Apple Bobbing.—H. Gifford-Moore, 1; E. A. Robinson, 2; R. G. Cook, 3. Thread-the-Needle Race—Miss T. Cohen and W. Williams, I; Miss Bowles and E L. Potts, 2; Miss Warren aud C. W. Deedman, 3. Egg and Spoon Race.—H. Gifford-Moore 1; H. G. Garrett, 2; E. L. Potts, 3. Ladies' Race.—Mrs. Garrett (H. G. Garrett), I; Miss A. White (W. Williams), 2: Mrs. Tandy (G. R. Tandy), 3. Beauty Competition.—F. Coatman, 1; H. Fitzsimmons, 2; F. Thompson, 3. Treasure Hunt.—G. R. Tandy. Boys' Race, under 10.—L. Thompson and G. Gifford-Moore, 1; M. Gifford-Moore, 2 Boys' Race, under 12.— F. Thompson, 1: C. Ryan, 2. Girls' Race.—Joan Tandy, I; Morna Potts, 2.