ORPHANAGES & INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8540, 14 April 1891, Page 5

ORPHANAGES & INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS.

<jt ANNUAL EXCURSION. The usual annual excursion of the children of the orphanges and industrial schools took place yesterday, the weather being all that could be desired. This reunion was originated many years ago by Captain Logan, of the s.s. Hero, and was continued for many years by the Union Steamship Company, but they latterly discontinued it. This year the Devonporb Ferry Company generously provided a steamer, and the Messrs. Reid Brothers kindly gave permission for the picnic to be held at their .island home of Motutapu. At half-past nine o'clock yesterday morning the Devonporb Ferry Company's steamer Eagle took on board at the ferry tee 70 children from the Parnell Orphan Home (27 girls and 43 boys), under Mrs. Barrance and Mr. J. B. Gilfillan, acting secretary; 11 girls from the Girls' Industrial School (St. George's Bay), under Miss Jackson ; and 40 boys from St. Stephen's Native School, under Messrs. Davis and Smith (managers). The steamer called off Kohimarama to pick up two boatloads of boys (53), from the Kohimarama Industrial School, under Mr. George Hogan, manager, and assistants. From some cause or other the children of the Catholic Orphanages were not present. Among the visitors on board were Messrs. J. W. Carr, A. Kelly (vice-president of the Anti-Poverty Society), and Mr. Collins (the Secularist Lecturer). The Newton band was on board, and played selections during the i day. On reaching Motutapu, the children were speedily landed in boats, and scattered into the paddocks to play at all sorts of games, including the amusing game of attempting to ride the donkey. In the meantime fires were lit, tea made, and ample supplies of sandwiches, cake, oranges, apples, and confecfectionery were brought ashore, and to which in due course full justice was done. In the afternoon a series of races were improvised for the children, under the supervision of Messrs. A. Kidd (starter), J. B. Gilfillan (handicapper), and Messrs. Hogan, Davis, and Smith, with the following' result : — • Under 11 years of age; Sullivan, 1; Courteney, 2; Aley, 3. Under 12: Gardiner, 1 ; Wilson, 2; Lamb, 3. Twelve years of age and over : Marshall, 1; Cody, 2 ; Smith, 3. Half-mile : Mack, 1; Marshall, 2. Walking Match, one mile: Thompson, 1 ; Hauraki, 2. Long Jump : Heta, 1 (22 feet). Sack Race : Marshall, i ; Mack, 2. Threelegged race: Albert Marshall and Punipi, 1; V. Mack and C. Marshall, 2. Girls' races —Under 10 years of age : Emma Major, 1; Ethel Reid, 2. Twelve years of age and under : Foy Waddell, 1 ; Mary Reynolds, 2. Thirteen years of age and under: Violet Wardell, 1 ; Annie Jamieson, 2. Special prize for girls of Girls' Industrial School: Martha Johnson, 1; Jane O'Neill, 2. Ladies race: Miss Biddick, 1 ; Miss .Charnock, 2. Consolation race : Nellie Nazer, 1; Blanche Baskitb, 2. The prizes, which were all donated, consisted of silk handkerchiefs, neckties, balls, knives, books, etc. Messrs. Wild man and Lyell, booksellers, gave a number of books. Some of these were given as sewing prizes, to be competed for by the girls of the Girls' Industrial School, and those of the Parnell Orphan Home, the balance going to the Kohimarama Industrial School. Messrs. Donald and Edenborough supplied a quantity of fruit for the orphanages, and during the afternoon scrambles of fruit, lollies, &c. , were made, in addition to what was given at the meals. A very pleasant day was spent, and at six o'clock all the children were got safely abonrd again. As the Britannia cast off from the scow used as a landing stage, those on board gave three hearty cheers for Mr. John Reid (the band playing " For He's a Jolly Good Fellow") who from the beaoh courteously acknowledged the compliment. Before leaving the island, Messrs. Gilfillan and Davis went over to the residence and personally thanked Mr. Reid on behalf of the orphanages and the industrial schools for his kindness to the party. Another stoppage took place off Kohimarama to debark the children of the Kohimarama Industrial School, those on board giving three cheers for Mr. Hogan and his lads on parting. Just before nearing the wharf, the children gave three cheers for Mr. Kidd, one of the official visitors to the Kohimarama Industrial School, to whose exertions the excursion, and the enjoyment resulting from it, was largely due. Mr. Kidd, in reply, said the excursion had cost but little in comparison with the pleasure it had given • the little ones, and he hoped to meet them all next year. Three cheers M'ere also given for the Devonport Ferry Steamship Company, to whose liberality they were indebted for the steamer. The children then ■ sang the National Anthem. On reaching the Queen-street Wharf the children were speedily taken off to their respective destinations. Mr. Martin, of Parnell, omnibus proprietor, kindly placed an omnibus and brake at the J disposal of the Parnell Orphan Home children to take them to and fro. Not a single accident occurred to mar the pleasure of the day, which was largely due to the care exercised by the respective teachers.