RAILWAY PICNIC.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5602, 7 February 1879, Page 6

RAILWAY PICNIC.

The second picnic' for the Railway employees took phice at Southbrook yesterday. At about half-past 7 o’clock in the morning acrpwd of -holiday-seekera. might have been seen wending their way towards the Christchurch Railway Station. Everyone seemed to be in excellent humour and evidently, intent oh making a day iff it. At eight minutes past 8 a.m. there were 15 carriages, 17 waggons, and two break vans filled, to overflowing* and a start was effected, two engines being attached to the train, driven by Mr W. Smith and Mr Hoban. Mr Dickenson, the locomotive foreman, acted as pilot. Mr Heaton: was in charge of the train as guard. Oh the way up: Addington had to be passed on account of the train being full, and several on the platform looked rather disappointed. ( On passing Riccarton, Fapanui, Styx, and Belfast, the same sort of thing occurred, but all those waiting W'ere informed that another train would follow and pick them,up. The new bridge at Stewart’s Gully was gaily decorated with flags by, Mr Wilson’s men*,.'and at 8.52 a.m. Kaiapoi . was reached, and the up train from Amberley crossed. A start was again effected at 9.16, and Southbrcjok was arrived at by 9.28 a.m. Every preparation had been made for the'comfort of those who were out for the day. A triumphal arch was erected at the railway gates, with “ Welcome” printed in large letters over the top. On proceeding to the-ground, which belonged to Mr Sansom, who had kindly lent it for the occasion, everything was laid out to the best advantage. There was a large tent wherein Mr Roberts, of Rangiora, provided refreshment; There was a stage for the Christy’s, with proscenium and appliances, a shooting gallery under the care of Mr H.{o. West, and a variety of other sports and games suitable for .me juveniles. The next train, consisting of 16 carriages and four waggons, arrived at 11 a.m. with the southern people, thus making the total number of people brought on the ground about 8400, After the arrival of thiS train the day was commenced in earnest, and under the superintendence of Mr Crosbie and Mr Bain as secretaries, and the various coinmitteemen, everything passed- off with great success. Mr Dickenson and Mr Rankin acted as starters. Mr Ingram and Mr Cole took entries for races, and a good time they had of it. Mr M'Williams acted as judge; Mr Pope took the quoits; Mr Anderson the tossing of the caber, and Mr M’Kenzie the putting of the stone. Mrs Rankin and Nashelaki acted as judges for the S'rls’ races. Mrs Dickenson, Mrs Smith, and jb Evans looked after the entries, &0., for the same, while Mrs Crosbie, Mrs Bain, and Mrs Ockford attended to the tent where all the prizes were exhibited, and _ saw to their distribution. A costume cricket match formed a great source of amusement, the various dresses being extremely ludicrous. But the great feature of the meeting was the baby show, at which 66 were exhibited, each receiving a prize. The Railway Band made its first appearance in public, and gave a'very creditable performance. The following aro the events:— Ail. CoUBBS— 22O yards; first prise, 40s; second 20s; third, IOs; 11 entries —J. Reed 1, B. Frame 2, A. Williams 3. Blacksmiths— 22o yards; first prize, 40s; second, 20s; third, 10s; four entries. —G. Black 1, H. Harbin 2,8. Whitta 8.Cabpbntebb —22o yards; first prize, 40s; second, 20; third, 10s; Sentries—J. Ryan 1, W. Petersen 2, J. Kemp 8. Fittses— 22o yards ; first prize 40s; second, 20s; third, 10s; four entries—B. Haskins 1, W. Bong 2, J.M’Farlane 8. Loco Running— 22o yards; first prize, 40* i second, 20s; third, 10s; five entries—J. Anmrew 1, H. Andrew 2, A, Bartrnm 8.

Painxhbs—22o yards ; first prize, 40s; second, 20s; third, 10s; four entries—W. Eaton 1, J. Smith 2, G. Bond 8. Pebmanbht Way—22o yards; first prize, 40*; second, 20s; third, 10s; three entries— R, Hepburn 1, J. Brown 2, H. Pegnaty 8, ’ Tbappio.—22o yards; first prize, 40s ; setohd, 20s; and third, 10s ; 6 entries—A. Wfllmms, !; B. Frame, 2; J. Gordon, 8. ALLDBPABTMBNTBr-220yards; first prize, 40s; second, 20sj_and third,Wißentries B. Frame 1 j B.Haskinß, 2j W.M‘Parlane,B. Men otbb 40 Ybaes,—i first prize,4os 1 second, 20s;jam third* 10s; 5 entries—D. ,Orange, ! ; J. Meaaman, 2; G. Bond, 8. ■■■ 1 -r f r , Walking. - —Half-mile ; first prize 40*, second 20s, and third 10» j, 6 (Main, 1 j W. A. Wood, 2 | J. Gilmore, 8. BPNNING,T-Hoyß under ! 14; 3SO first prize 20s, second 10s, 1 and third os; is entries—o. Nee; A. Ford; 2; W.Bkinner; 8* Boys uhdbb ; 20s, second 10s, and third tt/. f 7'bnt!riee—A. Ford, 1 * t W- ■&&&, K Boys undbb 14.—880 yards ; first prize 20s. second 10s, and third fis ; 4 entries- B. Norton, 1; J. Hoban, 2; H. Merrin, 8. Boys undbb 16—227 yards; first prize 20s, second 10s, and third 6s; 7 entries—G. Wells, 1; J. Atkinson, 2; A. Montague, 8. Consolation SxAEBBr-The priee in this case was a veiy handsome clock presented by

Mr Brunnette, the watchmaker. . Mr ,S.' Counter was the,fortunate winner. '. The Committee's Race, for which there Were four entries, was won by Mr M* Williams Mr Rankin second, Mr Ashley third, and'Mr Lane, fourth. The first prize was a silver cup, and the second a trophy worth 20s. Mb Nabhbmki’s Pbizb, a beautiful silver jug and oup, brought 16 on the field. The first heat was won in the following order : H. Freeman 1, J. Williams 2, J, Gordon 8. The second heat—H. Freeman 1, J. Gordon 2, J. Williams 8. Third heat —H. Freeman I, J. Gordon 2, J. Williams 3 ; Mi H. JVee* man carrying off the handsomest .prize of themeetmg. ,m . ; . Mb A. D. Smith b Pbizh of a gold brooch had four competitors, Mr Mazey, from Lyttelton, being the fortunate winner. Tossing the Oabbb had four aspirants' for fame. p. Creagh took the first, and J. M’Laggan the seooad prijse.. The Christya had a race for a set of gold studs, which were won by Mr Graham. / : - Baby Show —First prize, silver cruet stand, Mrs T. Hynes; second,, a silver oup, Mrs Harper; third, a silver knife, fork arid spoon, Mrs Armitage.. , , i:!; Running— Girls under 15, 100yds; first prize, 20«; second, 10s; six entries. First,. Jj. Kelly ; second, S. Porters. j Running— Girls under 20, lOOyds; flriat prize, 20s; second, IQs ; six entries.' First, A. Willis; second, M. Jeffrey. . Makbibd Women’s Rack— looyds;, first E‘ e, 20s; second, 10s; ten entries. First, Shields; second, Mrs Widgery. r , Another married women’s race of lOOyds bad. eight entries, and. Mrs- Shields , again carried away the prize.

About 6 p.m. a. start was made for the station, and aftbr the carriages were filled and everything ready (Mr. Withham,. the station master, arranging matters);'the cry ;of “ All Aboard ” was heard,and SOuthbrook was left at 7.10 p.m., and' town reodhediin safety at 8.30 p.m., the train consisting of twenty- two carrioges, seventeen waggons, two vans, and two engines. It may be'mentioned that Mr W. Si Moofhouse, late Superintendent, presented the sum of £3 2s to thoCommitteefor a prize which! it is hoped, will her rim for at the next annual picnic of the rail- ' way employees.> / ’ : -