RAILWAY EMPLOYES' ANNUAL SPORTS AND PICNIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6297, 23 January 1882, Page 6

RAILWAY EMPLOYES' ANNUAL SPORTS AND PICNIC.

The annual sporte and picnic of the railway employes took place on Saturday, at Hunna. Notwithstanding the somewhat unfavourable weather which prevailed on Friday and Saturday, the affair was very successful; but, of course, not to that extent it would have l>een had both days been fine. A special train left Auckland for Hunua at 9.33 a.m., also special trains from Helensville and Te Awamutu for Hunua, at 6.30 a.m. The special train from Auckland comprised thirty-four carriages, drawn l>y three engines, and an estimate of the number of passengere was made, and found to he 1030. The train from Waikato consisted of ten carriages, drawn by one engine, and conveyed to Hunua 400 people. The Kaipara train consisted of five carriages, drawn by one engine, and conveyed to Hunua 340 persons —Making a total of 1770 passengers. Thie is only a rough estimate. Including children, there must have been over 2000 conveyed in the special train 3to Hunua. This number was augmented by settlers from Papakura, Drury, and the surrounding district, and also by numbers who reached the scene of the picnic by the ordinary train. The number of persons on the ground must have been about 2500. The Kailway Band (under the leadership of Mr. Impey), and the Te Awamutu Band (under Mr. Sibley), were present during the day, and played popular airs at intervals. The Auckland and Helensville specials arrived at Hunua about 11 o'clock, but owing to some mishap the Waikato train did not arrive for some time after this hour. AH of the engines were tastefully decorated with nikau, tree-ferns, flowers, flags, &c, and several mottoes were conspicuous on them, some being quotations (in Maori) from Tavvhiao's written address to the Auckland people; amongst those in Euglish were, "Advance Auckland," "Advance Kaipara," &c. The senior driver of the Auckland engines was Mr. J. Whitburn. Mr. Salsbury was driver of the engine from Helensville, and Mr. Picket was driver of the Waikato engine. Five shillings wa3 given for each decorated engine, 3nd ten shillings for the best decorated engine. Miss Speight kindly supplied the flowers for the decoration of the Auckland enginee. Mr. J. Smith was chief guard of the Auckland special, and he and those who worked with him were successful in preventing accidents arising from confusion at the terminal stations and stations en route. The spot chosen for the picnic and sports is very suitable, and, as it is for sale, it has been suggested that the Government might purchase it, and reserve it for the benefit of the public. Luncheon was provided for the railway employes and their friends. The committee deserve praise for the very substantial luncheon furnished for the guests and others. Amongst the guests were Sir G. M. O'Rorke and Lady and Miss O'Rorke, Mr. F. J. Moss (M.H.R ) and Mrs. Moss, Major Harris (M.H.R.)aDd Mrs. Harris, Judge Macdonald, Mrs. Macdonald, and Miss Macdonald, Mrs. H. W. Hales, Dr. Beale, Messrs. Cruickshank, Gresham, Rev. Mr. Gould and others. After luncheon, Sir I G. M. O'Rorke thanked the committee, on j behalf of the guests, for the very pleasant day they had given the guests an opportunity of spending, and for the good luncheon provided. He was much pleased with the admirable arrangements to promote the success of the picnic and sports. Mr. R. Farrell, hon. secretary of the committee, replied that he and those who were acting with him were very glad to see Sir G. M. O'Rorke and the other guests, and were pleased to hear that their efforts to carry out the wishes of the employes were successful, and were appreciated by the guests. He hoped to see Sir G. M. O'Rorke and the other guests present on similar Occasions in future ycora. Mr. T. MuEvrin, of the City Buffet, furnished the luncheon. Besides the money prizes for races, to., the results of which are given below, £20 were spent in purchasing many useful articles and toys, for races for women and children. Messrs. Bruce and Muir had charge of this portion of the sports, and their decisions seemed to give general satisfaction. Games of the Jolly Miller, French Tig, &c, were organised, and there was dancing on the green, the band supplying the music. The rain which fell during the day had made the foliage wet, rendering excursions into the foreet impossible, thus debarring many from gathering ferns to add to their collections. The Waikato train left Hunua for Te Awamutu at 5.25 p.m., and the trains for Auckland and Helensville at 6.20 p.m. As tea was not provided, it would have been desirable to have left Hunua at an earlier hour, and thus have enabled excursionists to be home at tea time. Owing to a delay at Newmarket, the train did not reach the Auckland station till about 8.30 p.m. Sergeants Jackaon and Greene, and Constables Graham and McKnight, -were present to preserve order. The following are the names of the gentlemen appointed to make the arrangements of the sports, &c. :—Messrs. W. Elliot, R. Farrell (hon. secretary), Mullinger, Picket, Such, Smith, Hargraves, Brigham, Mack, Tee, Muir, Criap, G. Elliott, Parsons, Alcock, Dando, Whitburn, and Brett. Mr. A. V. Macdonald (general manager of the Auckland Railway lines) acted as judge of the footraces, &c; starter, Mr. W. Elliot ; handicappers, Messrs. W. Watt, J. Bracwell, and J. McCarthy; clerk, Mr. J. Brigham. The following are the results of the various events : Two Hundred Yards' Handicap.—lst prize, 25s ; 2nd, 15s ; 3rd, 10s. Lawry, 1 ; Melles, 2; Patterson, 3. There were fire starters. Pdttixo the Stoke (251b5.). —Ist prize, 25s ; 2nd, 15s ; 3rd, 10s. There were five entrie3. The first prize waa won by Smith (24ft. Sins.); Hargrarea (23 feet) and Donaldson (22ft. 7ins.) taking aeoond and third prizes respectively. TWO HCKDEED AND FIFTT YaBDS , HoRDLE Race. —Over 6 hurdles, 3ft. 6ins. in high. Ist prize, 255; 2nd, 15a; 3rd, 10a. Flemming, 1 ; Pulman, 2; Melles, 3. There .were nine starters. Two Hundred Yards' Race.—For employes, or eons of employes, from 15 to 13 years. Ist prize, 253 ; 2nd, 155.; 3rd, 10s. Fleming, 1 ; Melle3, 2 ; Pullman, 3. One Honored Yards' Sack Race.—lst prize, 25s ; 2nd, 15s ; 3rd, 103. Burke, 1 ; Otway, 2 ; Firth, 3. Six started. Half-mile Handicap.—lst prize, 25*; 2nd, 15s ; 3rd, 103. Faulkner, 1 ; PatterBon, 2; Smith, 3. Thirteen ran. The Platelayers' Race, for platelayers over 40 years of age, was won by Milla. The prize was a purse of silver (£2 15s), and was presented by the locomotive dep3t. Hop, Step, and Jdmp.—lst prize, 25s ; 2nd, 15s; 3rd, 10s: Donaldson, 1 ; Mellee, 2; Hogan, 3. There was also a three-legged race. The hon. secretary and the members of the committee were indefatigable in their efforts to promote a successful day's sports, and an enjoyable picnic.