BAKERS’ PICNIC.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5589, 23 January 1879, Page 6

BAKERS’ PICNIC.

Yesterday the Master and journeymen bakers of Christchurch held their annual picnic, the holiday being the most enjoyable yet experienced. The party met at eight o’clock, opposite Jenkins’ sawmills, St. Asaph street, where the scene was a very animated one. There were no fewer than 72 traps, all being crowded, and some inconveniently so, as may be judged from the fact that there were upwards of 700 in the party. The traps, which were e’l profusely decorated with flags, evergreens, and flowers, formed in line and headed by Toomer’s Excelsior band, proceeded to Mr Miller’s farm, on the Harewood road, where a spacious paddock had been kindly set apart for the use of the visitors, and another had been lent for the accommodation of the horses and vehicles. The catering was done in true picnic fashion, with, however, the provision of a tent for light refreshments, an arrangement which proved of great convenience. The Managing Committee had arranged a capital programme of sports, the funds for which-amoimting to more than £7o—had been subscribed by the miUers and master bakers. In addition to the money prizes, two pigs were given, one 1 by Mr Sunderland, and the other by Mr

Plumridge. Two whips wore presented by Messrs Dunbar and Earnshaw tor the first horao in each trotting match, and tho pnzeo for master bakers over 35 wore given by Messrs Hopper, Thompson, Taylor, and Sunderland. The prizes given in the Committee race were subscribed on the ground. Two Art Unions had been arranged, including 54 prizes in all, and for these useful and ornamental articles had been provided. The children wore kept well amused by special games and races, and parties of the adults indulged in dancing to the excellent music of the band. The return journey was commenced about 7 o’clock, and Christchurch was reached before 8, not the slightest mishap having occurred throughout the day. The following is the list of races, and the names of the prize winners :

Boys’ Race, 150yds—Cook, 1; Brunsden, 2 5 Flavell, 3. Carters’ Race, 150yds—Reed, 1 j Lambert, 2; Kerridge, 3. Masters’ Race, 150yds—J. Hopper, 1; R. Sunderland, 2 ; W. Robinson, 3. Walking Match, 1 mile—A. Neeve, 1; G. Ritchie, 2. Trotting Match, 1 mile; for horses that had not previously won a race—Mr Crabtree’s St Albans, 1; Mr Hawker’s Sandy, 2 ; Mr Sunderland’s Pride of Wicklow, 3.

Sack Race, 100yds—Dempsey, 1 ; Ford, 2. Tug-of-War—Masters v. Men. Won by the masters.

Girls’ Race, 50yds—Schuemakor, 1; Williams, 2; Taylor, 3. Three-legged Race, for journeymen, IClyds —Lambert and Reed, 1; Donohue and Palmer, 2.

journeymen’s Race, 150yds— Elliott, 1 ; Donohue, 2 ; Barnes, 3.

High Jump—Lambert, 1; Dempsey, 2. Three-legged Race, for masters, 100yds— Ritchie and Whitfield, 1; Simpson and Slade, 2. Trotting Match, 1 mile; open to alt—Mir Sunderland’s Tipperary Lass, 1; Mr Sunderland’s Polly, 2 ; Mr Hopper’s Captain, 3. Cup Vace, 150yds; run in heats; handicap for age—J. Hopper, 1 ; Lambert, 2; G. Ritchie, 3. Committee Race, 100yds—Ritchie, 1; Whitfield, 2; Sunderland, 3. Masters’ Race, over 35 years of age, 100yds —Hopper, 1; Simpson, 2. Pig Race —Won by Mr Reed. Pig Race, No. 2—Won by W. Miles,