THE PREMIER PICNIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11597, 11 March 1901, Page 6

THE PREMIER PICNIC.

A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION.'. "/■]. ' -.BOUT' 5000 PEOPLE PRESENT. / - The Premier picnic, which has been, so * ft „« , J looked forward to, as being the 57th adversary of the Auckland District M.U. Odi ' fellows, took place on Saturday at Home Bay ' ' Motutapu, by the kind ■ permission of Mr -' ' James Roid. The annual picnic is. not only a source of pleasure, but of usefulness,?and for that reason the public heartily patrcniw ' it. There is a picnio. fund, which at present has a credit balance- of £60. In 1898 £50 I was donated.to aid the suffering Welsh Lodges, which had been affected' by thft mining strike. In 1899 the Oddfellows on- " dowed three children's cots at the District * Hospital, and last year devoted the proceeds (some £44 odd), to tho patriotic fund in aid of "our boys" who had gone to South Africa to fight, and many of ■■them to die, on tha South African veldt. It will be seen, therefore, that "the aristocracy of labour," £ V tho friendly societies have been ' termed have not been unmindful in their v : social' • pleasures of their duty as citizens, and to the State. •".- Saturday 'proved ideal ' : holiday weather There was a clear sky, "a sky so cloudless' clear, and purely beautiful, that God alone was to be seen in heaven," and a refreshing sea breeze," which admirably tempered the heat. From nine o'clock in the morning' the Devonport Ferry Company's fleet consmenced to carry the merry picnickers to the objective point at Motutapu. A fact of steamers was encaged in' bringing in the friends from the Thames and the country districts— Northern Steamship . Company's Wakatere (from tho Thames), Waitangi (from Ooromandel), Taniwha (from'Pacroa), the Coastal Steamship Company's - Kapanui (from Warkworth). Rob. Roy (from Waipu), Orcwa (from Wade), Tongariro (from Panmuro Bridge). Hirere (from Turanga- .Creek ■ and Hawick Wharf). There must havo been fully 5000 people on the ground. Among those present i were the Hon. :T. Thompson, Dr. Moir, and' the Rev. W. E. Gillam (who is a member lot the Manchester [■■■. Unity). There wero three hands, the Newton, the Thames Naval, and tho Waihi Band, but the Pipers expected from Waihi were not able to get away, to the, regret of those present, : Tho following programme of music was per* : formed on the ground by the Newton Band, under Bandmaster Queloh (the other hands playing on board • the steamers):—March, "Challenge:" valse, Smiles and Tears;." trombone solo, "Victory;" overture, "Fair ■ Maid of Perth,:" valse, "Heliotrope;*' march. "Constellation;" valse, "Dreamland:" lancers, "Yeomen of the Guard:" march, "Coon;" valse, " Heartsease selection, "Maritana;" march, "Spartan;" selection, "Bohemian Girl;" and quadrilles, • marches, lancers, etc. (selected). . All the forenoon .the steamers came in. from tl>» various districts, unloading their Hying freight of holiday-makers (among thorn being many members of other friendly societies) at 'Motutapu Wharf, which has now; replaced the old scow arrangement. Once ashore, everything was done by tho committee for their comfort. : Hot water was provided, and the families, after a stroll round the ground and up the hills, soon spread the snowy-white tablecloths on the ground, and in groups were discussing, their ' midday meal. For those who did not take that trouble, there .were, booths. ,at which .. luncheon, tea, and other light refreshments could be obtained at reasonable prices. In the way of amusements there were an archery, swings, arid Punch and Judy, ever., dear to the hearts of: the youngster*, and even to " children of larger growth, lunch.. did a roaring trade. Home Bay is an ideal holiday resort, inasmuch as there is a flat of some 20 acres, through which, meanders a running stream, which falls ink•thi sea at the western end of th« bay, the flat being rimmed in by a semi-circle of tho eternal hills, on the snurs of which sal some of tho tourists, watching the snorts below. _ > Tho snorts were under the supervision of the following f rent] ft men:-.Tud ? ns, Brothers I L"ydon, , P.P.&.M., G. H. . Rowley, PPGM and Carl : Westnfahl. P.O.' Tho handicappers wero the Auckland Comm-tto3 and the starter, Brother John Clark., pommHtee: Brothers S. 1. Fletcher, Proving Grand Master: F. J. WheatW Provincial Deputy-GrandMaster: John McLeoci Pro- . vincial Corresnonding Secretary : P.P.G.M, .* Brothers H. .T. Syms, J. J. Holland. K Ley don S. H. Matthews, A. H. -.7. .Rider. J. BaHantine. John McDonnell, John Lovdon Tnlm '•'lark- PPD.G.M.'s Brothers C. ». wShUnd'GF. Fowler; P.G.'s Brothers KnaWmL. Solemn,, KB. Simpson, W. Thomas. C. Westpfahl, I. Frankbn. . During the forenoon the children s races were run off-under supervision, namely:- ~ Girls'race (8 to. 10 years). 50yds, free entry£ boys' race (8 to 10 years), 50vds; girls « (10 to 12 years), 50yds: boys race (10 to Uvears), 50yds: girls' race (12 to 14 vear, 50yds bovs' race (12 to 15 years) 100 yd" i young ladies' race, 100 yds; youths' raw (15 to 18 years). In addition to the nmes to ho winners there was a large quantity of. tovs distributed to all,, also Short.lv before three o'clock-he o.s. Onwwv with SGO bolidaymakers on board, and part of tho Newton band, followed by another steamer brining the last of the pleasureseeking crowd who could get away from Auckland, came in to the .bay. and larded their passengers. Many white-winged v chts also sailed into the bay from Auckland, which, with the numerous steamers at anchor, made a scene of a most animated character. > At half-past three, all having arrived ■ tto afternoon sports .commenced, a.l of. tho , events being well contested, except the tug of-war. It shows forcibly tfie present, social condition of the working classes, when even " a fiver" failed to entice them to compete, although the entrance foe was only sixpence a man, and the event was open to all members of friendlv societies. .Following are the results of the snorts !v?al«,:-, M.U. Members' Race. 100 yds. • .Jfirst prize, trophy valued at fil Is: second rain, trophy value 10. M. First heal• -J. Cochrane, 1: J. P. Hansen. 2; I. roW.i Second heat: N. G. Na.smith. .; , L. B. Tood, 2: F. Rrewin. 3. Final:. L. B. Todd, i,. Cochrane. 2: Nasmith. 3. : •. ■■'i-«.» Mr. Void's Emnlovees' Pace, lOOyo--: Jiirs: prize, £2: second prize, £1. Anderson Lrai& scratch, 1: Crai <r, sen..' 15vds. 2; MaoKay, svds. 3. ' Rolleston (10yd«) also nan..-,- _ 'ALU. Members' Race, 150v.1v. First nn?o, . order for trophy, value £1 Is: second nroa, order for trophy value 15s; thud .'»"*£ tronhy. First heat—W. Brown, 1: i-, Polov, 2: P. Brewin. 3. ' Second -hcut--U B. Todd, 1: N. R. Nn-smiHi, V.: J. ?■ H«nsen, 3. Final heat.-L. B. Todd, 1; >;»• smith. 2: Hansen, .3. .. - : ' M.U. Juvenile ■ Mcmhcrs' Race, years ■ and under), 100 yds. ' First wise, .trorliyi . ■second prize, trophy.; Halstead, 13yds, I, Salisbury, 2. ___ ' . Friendly Societies' Randicip. 150 yds: First /;, prize, order for trophy value £2 10s; WCtmrt . prize, order for trophy value £1 lis; th, l? iiizc, order for trophy value 10s o:l. L. «■ Todd. 1: J. Cochrane, 2: T. Brown,' *- . Past Grands' Race • (M.U. rnly>, 120y;«s: ; First prize, past grand's collar and apron: second prize, past grand's collar. _ V; Brown. 1; C. F. Allan, 2; X. G. S.wmith.-a. Old Members' Race, (over 50 years), 100}*= First prize, order for trophy vilue £1 •■*• presented by Dr. King (surgeon of i'm Uooa Intent Lodge): second nrizo, order of photos. Whealoy, 1; Solomon, 2. 150 yds Handicap (for professionals): first nrize, £3; second prize. £1. F. Barton, 12yds, 1: W. Patterson, 10yds, 2; R. H/Law-,„ ford, 13yds, 3. This was a well-contend - race. M.U. Juvenile Members' Race (over 15 years), 100 yds: First prize, trophy; second prize, trophy. Anderson, 1; Rcwcastle', -> B. Ley don, 3. ' By the time the sports programme was finished it was past five o'clocic, -and the sirens of tho steamers from the o - t-distritfs were calling the passengers to their respective boats. Tho embarkation was effocte in the most orderly manner, the vast crowd heing handled without the slighted accident to mar the enjoyment of ihe day.' - The shades of night were closing in as the las' steamers got away, and the .'.ucicland port:"" of the excursionists were debarked at the Queen-street Wharf by a little after oi'M o'clock, feeling that the Premier picnic. l>'< again added another success to the list a! ; ready obtained by its predecessors