PRIMARY SCHOOL PICNIC.

Matamata Record, Volume XIII, Issue 1104, 10 March 1930, Page 5

PRIMARY SCHOOL PICNIC.

DAY OF GLADNESS. Under “ The Tower Trees. Last Friday was an eventful day for the scholars of the Matamate Primary School, when the annual picnic was held on “ The Tower ” estate, beneath a fine spread of oak and other trees admirably suitable for the purpose. There was a very good muster indeed, the pupils being conveyed in Mr. A. G. Findlater’s lorry and several private cars, all transport, and all the prizes and extras, being gratis, thanks to many generous donors. The headmaster (Mr. J. F. Wells), members of the staff, also Rev. A. C. Hampton (chairman of the School Committee), Mr. F. Banks (secretary) and other willing helpers of the same sex were kept busy at running the sports and various jobs. The ladies managed ercellently in providing the eatables for lunch and afternoon tea and serving the crowd, which included a fair sprinkling of adults. The scene reminded one of Oliver Goldsmith’s beauteous pen picture of “ Sweet Auburn ” village sports on the green. Appropriate to this allusion is a comment that it was a pioneer from the Old Land, the late Mr. X,C. Firth, who had the trees which, something like half a century later, the boys and girls of Matamata Primary School hold festal day annually—yet it is but a few weeks ago that' his name was commemorated by being given to a Matamata street, and not the principal street, either. This is by the way, but is desirable of mention in order that the young generation, as represented at the picnic, may not be unmindful of the debt we owe to pioneers. The weather was gloriously fine, warm but not oppressive, and people could stroll from the shade of the trees to the green turf of the field at will, basking in the sunlight. Races were run for folk of all ages, and provided much healthy enjoyment. A peanut scramble for the youngsters was a lively interlude for them. After a day’s really good fun afternoon tea was served before the picnickers dispersed. The following are the results of

the sports:— 1 • Boys’ Races. Under 5: Tommy ‘ Warrender 1, Keith Cowling 2, Gor- v don Hunt 3. Five years : Bruce t Barkman 1, Billie Fowler 2, Peter r Bell 3.- Six years : Norman Reeve t 1, Brian McEwan 2, Ernie Beagrie 3. t Seven .years : Cyril Stewart 1, Bruce Catchpdle 2, Teddy Hollis 3. Eig’it t years : Tong 1, Billie Bates 2, George Clover 3. Nine years : Colin Spinley 1, Robert Black 2, Russell Banks 3. Ten years : Leslie * Scott 1, Ted Farmiloe 2, Harry * Flower 3. Eleven years : Ted Sherer ' 1, Max Sweetman 2, Fred Davis 3. c Twelve years : Harry Rogan 1, Wal- t ter Bidois 2, Jack Johnson 3. t Girls’ Races. Under -5 years: t Thelma Hawes 1, May Stewart 2, , Frances McCormack 3. Five years : t Jean McCormack 1, Meyrl Clover 2, ( Rita Booth 3. Six years : Poynder ( Goodall 1, Natalie Wells 2, Florrie Stanley 3. Seven years : Dorothy , Steele 1, Joyce. Clothier 2, Ruth La ( Trobe 3. Eight years : Ruth McCormack 1, Margaret Anderson 2, Paul- , ine Barkman 3. Nine years : Dora , Cranswick 1, Ngaire Clover 2, Win- , nie Stanley 3. Ten years': Shirley Taylor 1, Joan Howe 2, Wendy Stevens 3. Eleven years : Olive Spinley 1, Margaret Beverley 2, Elswyn Garland 3. Twelve years : Eva Swinbourne 1, Gwen Forbes 2, Myra Were 3. Sack Race.—Boys : Alf Warrender 1, Ron Hall 2, Don Briscoe 3. Girls : Blanche Trundle 1, Shirley Taylor 2, Margaret Beverley 3. Motor Tyre Race (boys). Ted Sherer 1, Les Scott 2, Alf Warrender 3. Three-legged Race (girls). Olive Spinley and Elswyn Garland 1, Joan Howe and Eva Forbes 2, Gwen Forbes and Thora Barnes 3. High School Events. . Boys’ Races. Under 14 : Walter Bidois 1, Henry Rogan 2, Jack Johnson 3. Over 14 : Dick Bidois 1, Jack Rogan 2, Norman Johnson 3. Girls’ Races. Under 14 : Phyllis Adams 1,. Clarice Jones 2, Jean La Trobe 3. Over 14 : Phyllis Adams 1, Annie Wright 2, Clarice Jones 3. Three-legged Race. Boys : Bob Briscoe -and Celestine McKean 1, Douglas Scott and Owen Clothier 2, Max Sweetman and Len Goodwin 3. Girls : Leila Blackburn and Annie- • Wright 1, Edith Prowse and Margaret Briscoe 2, Hilda Chilton and ] Margaret Schwarz 3. . A race for married ladies aroused 5 keen interest and drew so many competitors that it had to be run in ] heats. After a keen contest the winx ners proved to be : Mrs. Barugh 1, ' Mrs. Spence 2, Mrs. Wells 3.