PRESBYTERIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL PICNIC.

North Otago Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1161, 29 December 1875, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL PICNIC.

The annual treat to the children attending the Sabbath School in connection with the Presbyterian Church was fixed for Monday ; but, in common with other holiday makers, the young folks were disappointed, through tbe unfuTorabl© weather. Had the day been fine, it was arranged to hold the picnic at Mr S. E. Shrimski's residence — that gentleman having kindly pluced his grounds at the disposal of the School for that purpose, and also made other arrangements for the entertainment of the children. However, at halfpast 10 — the hour for gathering — all hope of an " outing" was abandoned. An unsuccessful attempt was then made to secure the Volunteer Hall, the building being already in other hands in preparation for the evening. Ab a last resource the Oddfellows' Hall wai obtained, and by 12 o'clock the Pastor of the Church, the teachers in the School, and about 100 children (less than hnif the expected number) had assembled. The limited space at comraaud in the hall rendered any great variety in the way of amusement impossible ; but games that were practicable were initiated and carried out with great spirit. An abundance of provisions of super-excellenc quality, the gift of several members of the congregation, were supplied at intervals to the voung people. Excellent addre5ee» were given bj the Rev. A. B. Todd, aud Messrs Flett (Superintendent of the School), Mir.ims, D. Sooth, and others. A marked feature in the afternoon's programme was the singing of favorite hymns, under the leadership of Mr Booth ; the heartiness exhibited by the children and their improved manner of singing being very noticeable. Four or five hours were thus pleasantly spent, in spite of adverse circumstances, and ere the children were dismissed to their homes they were informed that, to compensate for their disappointment owing to the wet day, Mr D. Fleming had promised to exhibit his mugio lantern ior their amusement at an early date in the Volunteer Hall.