THE HOLIDAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10594, 1 March 1895, Page 5

THE HOLIDAY.

The holiday yesterday was • generallyobserved. Most of the shops were closed in the morning, and in the afternoon the town, wore quite a deserted appearance. The weather, though rather dull and threatening in the morning, was perfect for holiday-making, and in the afternoon the sun shone out brightly. About 1400 persons left by the excursion train for Otarama, while numbers-of picnic parties went by road and tram to the various picnicing reaorta and the seaside. The rolling-stock on the Sumner line was taxed to its utmost during the-afternoon in conveying people to and from the Christchurch regatta. When one of the trams was returning in the evening, and when, it was near Bsrbadoes Street, some excitement was caused by the front axle of one of the cars breaking, many people thinking that the tram had run over somebody. The excursionists to Otarama left town at 8.15. There were three trains, one of which was occupied by the employes of Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs and their friends, and another by Messrs Ballantyne and Co.’s employes. The route taken was by way of Kaiapoi, Eyreton and Oxford, and then across the Waimakariri Gorge bridge to Springfield, from whence the journey was completed on the Midland Company’s line. Upon arrival at their destination at 1.15, the excursionists scattered to different spots to picnic,, and a pleasant day was spent. The return journey was commenced at six o'clock, and the trains, which came by way-of Eolleston, reached town at 9 p.m. The employes in the drapery department of the D.I.C. held their annual picnic yesterday. The party, numbering over a hundred, drove to Eangiora in four drags, and the weather being beautifully fine, the drive out and home was not the least pleasant part of the day’s outing. The afternoon was spent at the Domain, sports of various kinds being indulged in. Before returning home the party passed votes of thanks to the directors of the company and to Mr E. C. Brown, manager of the Christchurch branch, for assistance given towards the picnic, to the Domain Board for granting the use of the domain and to the caterers, Mr and Mrs M. Scott. The members of tbe Christchurch Fire Brigade held their annual picnic at Bligh’s Gardens, New Brighton, yesterday, whither they were conveyed by’ tram,and boat. A programme of sports was gone through; and all present thoroughly enjoyed themselves. A number of exmembers of the Brigade undertook to look after the interests of the city in the absence of the regular Brigade, but fortunately their services were not required.