MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT N.Z.R. PICNIC.

Evening Star, Issue 12760, 13 March 1906, Page 7

MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT N.Z.R. PICNIC.

Every Saturday for the last five or six weeks one has seen large train-loads of picnickers move out- of the Dunedin .station bound either to the North or the South. Those were the tradesmen's picnics. Nor do the School Committees neglect the health of the children of the several schools under their control, but take the opportunity of giving those scholars a run into the country. In this interval of time the railway hands, from the station-masters, guards, engine-driv-ers, etc., right dorm to the surfacemen, have the responsibility that no accident shall occur to the thousands of persons carried. When the rush, so to speak, is over, thoso who had the hard work in looking after the above-mentioned picnickers, or at least as many as can be spared, also indulge in a picnic. The main-tenance-department of the Dunedin section New Zealand Railways, to the number of 1300 adults and children, sought a " mouthful of fresh air" at Outram last Saturday. The weattier was perfect, and one and all, old and young, enjoyed themselves to their hearts' content. It was a gratifying sight to see the representatives of the various departments—shpp carpenter, bridge carpenter, blacksmith, apprentice, painter, engine-driver, guard, inspector, and F. of W.—joining hand-in-hand to.make the outing a thorough success. . The picnic was by far and away the best arranged and conducted and most orderly one that has been held at Outram for many a day. The recreation ground was transformed into a veritable Caledonian ground, what with some half-dozen tents—competitors', committee, ladies', etc.—swings, vaulting appliances, distance flags, national flags, boilers, etc., and the proverbial Turk, wife his " head " very large. Nothing but genuine praise must be extended. to Messrs J. Kane, Herlend, and Pearson, leaders of the movement, and their\" grafting " Committee of Management for the success of the day's crating. The children present were well catered for, the employees subscribing £5 for toys, which were competed for, on the understanding that every starter was a prize-winner. There was not a disappointed mother on the ground. The event»of the day was the tug-of-war Shop Hands v. Outside Hands, with Messrs Pearson and Herlend as respective captains. To the surprise of all, the shop hands beat their worthy antagonists after a hard struggle. Mr Kane, in a neat speech, in which he hoped all had enjoyed the outing and would look forward to "this time next year, presented tie winning team with a case of pipes. Mr Pearson, on behalf of the winners, suitably replied. The wjnners were not slow to fill up the "clayey" and go straightway to the camera and there fix for all time the members comprising that particular team. One or two had faces as pale as the pipe after the photo "had been taken. The day's proceedings were marred by an unfortunate accident which happened to one of the picnickers. Thanks to the foresight of Mr Carr, an ambulance kit was brought, and came in useful, for he, with the assistance of another ambulance man, had to render first aid for a simple fractnre of one of the ankle bones. At 5.45 p.m. sharp the engine of the special train bearing all .back to Dunedin sounded, and the picnic of 19C6 was a thing of the past. Subjoined are the results of the events: Bridgemen's Handicap, 440yds.—Shepherd 1, Mariner 2. Married Women's Race.—Mrs G. Monk 1, Mrs Evans 2. Works' Handicap, H. Williams 2, Ferguson 3, Apprentices' Handicap, 220yds.—Williams 1, Barker 2, Ferguson 3. Half-mile Walk (works staff only).—Ferguson 1, Rusbridge 2, Williams 3. Baby -Bhow.—Mrs Perry's 1, -Mrs E. -Monk's 2, Mrs Gill's 3. Married Women, Nail-driving. Competition.—Mrs E. Monk 1, Mrs Hepburn 2, Mrs Calder 3,-Mrs Blanc 4.

Cutting Turk's Blanc 1, Mrs Johnston 2. • High Jump (/fppreritices only): Ferguson 1, R, Williams 2. . ;' * Tug-of-war (Shop 1 v. Outside Staff).— Shop won. Sawing Wood, Single Ladies.—Miss Wills 1, Miss MTaadaae 2, Miss Calder '3. Young Girls' Race (short Gale 1, Miss Barker 2. Handicap Hop, Step, and Jump-.—S, Smith 1, J. Shepherd 2. Pole K. Reid 1, J. .'Shepherd 2. ' Sack Race.—A. Waite 1, Barker 2. Single Ladies' Race.—Miss- Smellie 1, Miss Johnston 2, Miss Duncan 3. Old Buffers' Race.—A. Barr 1, G. Hepburn 2. : -<' •