MASTER MONDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7920, 12 April 1887, Page 5

MASTER MONDAY.

The holiday yesterday was very generall; observed, and the programme of amusement —races, review, grocers' picoic, land an( marine' excursions, &o. — were sufficientlj varied to satisfy the most exacting. Sub joined will be found a description of th< several events. WATER EXCURSIONS. Throughout yesterday the harbour pre sented a gay and animated appearance vessels of all sorts and sizes studding th waters of the Waitomata, each we!! fillet with crews, all on pleasure bent, No aooi dents are roported. To Tnkapuna Lake several oteainor wended their way, those of the Devoupor Ferry Company, the Maori, and others. Thi day was all that could be desired, an< consequently the trips proved moet onjoy able, and the steamers were moat patronised. Maburangi Heads—that very pleasant anc pioturesqao spot—are not very often visited consequently the announcement that thi members of the Dovonport Wealeyan Churct had chartered the Northorn Company , ! Glenelg for the trip to that place, had thi effect of drawing a large number of exour sioniats, and at nine a.m., tho hour fixed foi her starting, the vessel was well lilled. A pleasant ruu down the harbour and across chfl Gulf was experienced, and after a most enjoyable few hours on shore tho roturn ruu was started, and on tho wny up-the members of the choir treated the vislioro and friends to a number of selections of musio, rendered in a most creditable mariner. As of old, the trip of the s.a. Clansman to the very popular island tho Kawau, proved one of the most attractive of the day, and the steamer in consequence was well tilled. The passage both there and back proved nios! enjoyable, the excursionists being allowed the free iun of tho island, and in every re spect the day's outing proved to bo one ol unalloyed pleasure. The Bteatner returnod to Auckland in good time laat evening. Both the Worth Shore and Stokes' Point Forry Co.'s steamers were kept fully employed during the day in carrying thcii patrons to and from the various points of call. EXCURSION TO SVAITAKEREI FALtS. The Auckland Field Naturalists held another of their pleasant excursions yesterday, the place decided upon being the everfavourite Waitakerei Falls. The party, to the number of about b'O, started from town shortly before nine o'clock in two of fatterson's largo breaks, and arrivod at the foot of tno ranges about half-past eleven o'olook. Several then started on foot for the falls, while others contented themselves with searching for specimens in the nearer bush aljacenfc to Mr. Baxter's farm. After a pleasant day's outing, the party started for town about half-past five, arriving about eJght p. in, THE GROCERS' ASSOCIATION PICNIC. The Grocers' Association picnic to Motuihi took place yesterday, and provod a great success. The Ferry Company's psddlo steamers Victoria and Tainui being chartered for the occasion, took down some 900 persons, being followed by tho a.s. Waitoa with about 200 moro. Tho Newmarket brass band was in attendance, and played a number of choice selections throughout the day under Bandmaster W. R. Hunter. The tine weather contributed greatly to the success of the picnic. Mr. F. Rowlinson, caterer, provided a sumptuous supply of refreshments. A number of games were indulged in daring the day. Every attention was shown by th« committee and officers of the sports towards making the arrangements as complete as possible. The following officers discharged their respective duties with satisfaction throughout the day :—Committee, Messrs. White aud Lipscombe; starter, Mr. W. S. Whitley; judge, Mr. Hewin; handicapper, Mr. W, R. Doyle. The following is the result of the races : —All Comers' Handicap, 100, 200, and 300 yards (in three heats) : Ist prize, silver watch, value £3 10s; 2ud, writing desk, value 253. First heat—F. Parsons, 7 yards, 1 ; J. McDermott, 3 yards, 2 ; E. O'Hare, 3 yards, 3. Second heac—F. Parsons, 12 yards, 1; E. O'Hare, 5 yards, 2; J. McDermott, 5 yards, 3. The tinal heat was then run off between O'Hare and McDermott for second place, Parsons having won hie by \viuninj; the two tirst heats, only walked over. It resulted as follows : Parsons, ] ; O'Hare, 2; MoDermott, 3. Grocers' Assistants 150 yards Handicup : Ist prize, silver cup value £4 4?!, W. Taylor ; 2nd, watch chain value 255, A. J. Donaldson. Grocers' Boys (under 16) 100 yarda Hauriicap: l9t prize, writing desk value 15s, C. Harv6y; 2nd, pair of boots value 12s Gd, Creamer. Maeter Grocers' Handicap, 100 yards : Ist prize, gold ring value £3 3*, J. Kelso ; 2nd, album value £2, Mr. hintrican. Married Ladies' Race, oO yards (for grocers' wives only) : let prize, dozen eilvrr dessern knives and forks value £5, Mr 3. Kiut;bam; 2nd, teapot and stand value £2, M rs, Hal vison. Single Ladias' Handicap, 5U yards : Ist prize, silver locket and chain, value £2, Miss E. Byers ; 2nd, hand-bag, value 255, Mias M. Pelham. Commercial Travellers' Handicap, 100 yards : Ist prize, belltopper, value 25*, W. Dunoan ; 2nd, umbrella, value £1, J. Worral. Sack Race, 50 yarde : Ist prize, set of "gold atuds, value 30», E. Manning; 2nd, gold pin, value 15s, W. Manning. Three-legged Race, 100 yards: Ist prize, two hats, value 12a 6d each, McDermott and O'Hare; 2nd, two scarf pine, value 10s each, E. Manning and W. Manning. Two Mile Walking Handicap, grocers and assistants only: lsi; prize, silver watch, value £3 10s, J. Dogherty ; 2nd, umbrella, valno 17s, R. Hamilton ; 3rd, W. E. Fordyce. A protest wa3 lodged against Dogherty in thia race on the gronnd of not being a grocer's assistant. Wholesale Assistants' Handicap, 150 yards : Ist prize, fancy clock, value £3 ss, J. Cummin^s; 2nd, album, value 30s, W. Manning. Girlß , Race, under 12: Ist prize, £1, Mabel Ryder; 2nd, 10s, F. Edwards. The prizes were distributed to the winners immediately after all fcho races were over from the window of one of tho hospitals by Mr. Hewin. Mr. W. S. Whitley made a few brief remarks on tho object of the Grocers' Association to the public and the grocera themselves. Mr. R. French also made a few remarks on tha early closing. This brought the day to a close, everybody having thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Great credit is due to Mr. Wootton, the secretary, for the manner in which he performed his duties throughout the day. AMUSEMENTS. Last night, at Abbott's Opera. House, the admirable company who are visiting Auckland under the management of Messrs. Williamson, Garner, and Musgrove, repeated the effective drama "Hazel Klrke," a crowded house being present on the occasion. It is long since the playgoers of Auckland have bad an opportunity of seeing such a ;horoughiy complete and talonted company )f artistes as those who are now playng at the Opera House, and "Hazel Kirke," which is to be repeated this jvening in, perhaps, tho most effectivo irama among the excellent ones they lave repreeentei during thtir brief etay. It :ombines deep p&thoa and humorous comedy n a manner which rivets the attention of ihe audience, who cannot resist being alternately Bwayed by the varying emotions Dourtrayed during tho progress of the drams. The plot of the piece and the leading characters lave been already noticed hi our columns. Last night it was very oatisfactory to obierve that the ability of tlie company, ihe excellence of tho acenery, and the general )erfeotion of the whole performance waa thooughly appreciated by a larger attendance han we have aeen in the Opera House for a ong time. Mies Agnes Thomas was excelent as Hazel Kirke, showing remarkable ability in depicting the deep aud varying motions by which ihe heroine is nfected during the development of the >lot. The humour -: of Pittacus Green vas well given by Mr. Titheradge, ,nd in every part it was plainly manieat that the company in each of its memiers possessed a far higher range of dramatic .bility than tho public of Auckland can iften witness in theatrical entertainments. )u Wedneaday " Written in Sand" and ' Nita's First" are to be produced. P, Doran's " Mammoth Minatrel Variety Troupe " repeated their entertainment last light before a very fair house. The prolamine was an excellent and varied one, nd was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. Che clog dance by Dumont Bros, was ea>ecially appreciated, and was londly encored. \t the end of the first part the extravaganza mtitled "Moriarty "was given, and the perormance concluded with the amusing farce 'The First Ronnd for John." Afterwards he hall was cleared for the ball, under the upervision of the two M.C.'s, which went iff admirably and waa kept up till the small tours of the morniDg. i