PICNIC AT WAIHOLI.

Evening Star, Issue 10767, 31 October 1898, Page 2

PICNIC AT WAIHOLI.

The employes of the New Zealand Refrigerating Company held their fink lannual ouing on Saturday at Waihote, Ifr Peterson's paddock being placed at tHrtjr disposal. About 300 proceeded out by the eight o'clock morning train from town, and when the party arrived at the camping., ground everything was in readiness. The weather was perhaps not all that could be desired, but although it turned cold and windy in the afternoon, the rain held on until about 4.30, . by which time the sporty were overwind all present had indulged in games to their hearts' content. Old and young: ▼ere catered for in the programme tint had been drawn up. The youngsters were specially looked after, and the Committee, witt-com-Jnendable thoughtfulness, gave eadrjone • toy of some sort at the outset. The fathering was very sociable, one and all being evidently bent upon enjoying themselves, and assisting their neighbors to do likewise. Mr T. Dallas's band were present, and kept things lively. They played a great many selections in the paddock, and after* the rain had put a stop to outdoor amusemegjfe they provided further music in Mr Paftrson'a shed, dancing being indulged in for an hour. A good programme of races, etc., had been drawn up, and, as substantial prises hall been donated or otherwise procured, large fields were the order of the day, and in several instances the finishes were very dose and exciting. It is needless to say, the competitors being all well known to the majority of the picnickers, that the events, were watched with close attention, and every encouragement in the way of appbSuse was given to the athletes. The Committee who had charge of the sports and general arrangements are to be congratulated upon the thoroughness with which they performed their duties and looked after the welfare and convenience of the visitors. The Committee was composed of the following gentlemen: Messrs J. A. Stewart, J. Aitchison, W. H. Bevin, G. Rusell, J. Lindsay, R. Bremner, D. Fraser, - J. Knox, A. Miller, A. Kirkpatrick, and E. W. Batchelor (hon. secretary). The various events resulted as follow:

Boys' Race, 150yds—T. Ritchie 1, W. Watt 2. Slaughtermen's Department Race, 220 yd—s RusseU 1, H. Crawford 2, A. Miller 3. Young Ladies.' Race (over 17)— Miss Rutherford 1, Miss R. Rutherford 2. Thcee-legg-.d Race—Edgar and Bremner 1. Hop, Step, and Jump—A. Batchelor, 33ft 6iin, 1. Mile Walk —J. Buchanan, 50yds, 1; Charles Cornish, 50yds, 2. Married Ladies' Race—Mrs Graham 1, Mrs Kerr 2. Mutton-hancUerf Baee,' 220 yds —R. Bremner 1, J. Lindsay 2, J. Edgar 3. Old Buffers' Race (over 50>—J. Mason 1, J. Wilson 2. Mr J. Scott (70 the prize for the oldest man in the race.: ©ig-of-war— Butchers and fresh mutton hands L Visitors' Race, 150 yds—C. Laing 1, W. Kerr 2. Engineers and Firemen's Race, 220yds—J, Aitcheson 1, J.Mason2. Egg-and-spoon Race—W.Kerr 1, W. Burt 2. Committee Race—J. A. Stewart 1, A. Miller 2. Bicycle Race (from *fitri to aihola) —W. Renfree 1, Saunders 2. Consolation—A. Miller 1. Mr J. A. Stewart, secretary to the company, distributed the prizes, and on his call hearty cheers were given for the companv and the other donators of prizes. On oeha!f of the visitors, Mr A. Douglas thanked the employes and the Committee for the enjoyable day that they had enabled all to spend. He briefly referred to the extensions to the Burnside works that were now in hand, and expressed his belief that these would be of great advantage to the Green Island and urnside district. He hoped that the sheep farmers would rally round the company and give them the support their enterprise deserved. Mr Douglas concluded his remarks by calling for cheers for the Committee and the employes, which were enthusiastically given. The picnickers returned by the 5.M train, all having spent a very enjoyable outing,