THE ANNIVERSARY HOLIDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11876, 30 January 1902, Page 5

THE ANNIVERSARY HOLIDAY.

Notwithstanding that there was a heavy downpour of rain during Tuesday night, yesterday morning > broke fine, and the day proved to be a good one from a picnicker's point of view. The Queen-street Wharf presented every sign of activity during the greater part of the forenoon, and large crowds of excursionists were seen busy embarking "on small steamers ready to convey them to various pleasure resorts. The regatta proved to be a big attraction, and ferry boats were ' busily engaged all day plying to and from the flagship, while the races at the North Shore had a large attendance. The Devonport Ferry Company ran excursions to Lake Takapuna, St. Heliers Bay, Kangitoto Island, the fishing grounds and other popular resorts. -The steamers Kotiti and Kawau conveyed: the "Central Mission picnic party to Maraetai, and left the wharf at nine a.m., many having to be left behind. Mr. Smith had kindly placed his property at the disposal of the picnickers, and a pleasurable outing was spent, both young and old entering into games and sports that were thoughtfully provided by tli-3 management. Tho Helping Hand Mission held their picnio at East Tamaki, and this outing proved a most popular one, the e.s. _Kapanui conveying a large party to the picnicking ground. Tho Auckland Cycling Club held their sports on tho banked track at "Waiheke,. and an unusual number of patrons were conveyed to Cowas Bay by the Northern Company's'steamer Wakatere. , The Knox Church choir and congregation held then annual , picnio at Motutapu and spent an enjoyable day. The Rev. Hugh Kelly carried out the arrangements and Mr. Bennett amply attended to tho wants of "the ladies. , ..- _ The.Auckland Orangemen held their annual picnic at Motutapu Island, and the steamers Rose Casey and . Awaroa, which had been chartered for the purpose, conveyed about 300 excursionists to the island. An enjoyable outing was spent, the arrangements being capably carried .out by the secretary (Mr. W. Cox). ;; Hulso's Band was in attendance, and during the day a sports programme was carried out -J 111 "^. 1 ' tho supervision of Messrs. W. Cox, U. Bother and J. Cox. Messrs. J. Ashton and W. Cottingham officiated as judges. Tba results were as follows Orangemen's sons race (15 to 20 years), 120 yds: W. Morton 1, Cottingham 2. Orangemen's daughters raco (15 to 20 years), 75yds: Miss Ruby 1, M. Murphy 2, R. Brewer 3. 100 yds (boys under 15 years): Dorrmgton 1, Templeton 2. Pastmasters' race. 75yds: Bother 1, Jno. Cox 2. One milo ««lk: Cox 1, Morton 2. 440 yds handicap: . Craig, 3yds, 1:; Morton, scratch, 2.75 yds (girls Tinder 15): Miss Campbell 1, Miss Piper 2.75 yds Orangemen (over 45): Cottingham 1, Mother 2. 60yds (Orangemen's wives): Mrs. Double 1, Mrs. Ashton 2.100 yds open: JS.asser i, Lucas 2. Bandsmen's race, 100 yds: Ewar* 1, Dryland 2, . . ... The Now Church annual picnic was held yesterday at Hunua by the kind permission of Mr. Hay of Woodstock. About 120 exoursionists arrived at Hunua station by the train leaving Auckland at half-past nine, and at once proceeded to the paddocks placed at their disposal by Mr. Hay. Games of all sorts were resorted to for the younger people who belong to the Sunday-school, while many of the older people thoroughly enjoyed the long-looked for chat and exchanges. Not tho least enjoyable part of the day's undertaking was the ramble through the far-famed Woodstock orchards. The trees are literally groaning and breaking down under the tremendous crops they have produced this year. The day passed till too quickly, and litter tendering their thanks to Mr. Hay by three hearty cheers the friends reluctantly returned to the station and joined the train, reaching town at eight p.m. The Railway .Department Were well pre pared for holiday traffic, and tho arrangements were most'satisfactory. Excursions to tho various pleasure resorts in the Waikato district were all largely patronised, and everything passed off successfully. <

THF THAMES. [ill TELEGBAFH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Thames, Wednesday. Anniversary-Day here was favoured with fine weathei, although there was a little more wind than was altogether agreeable, especially during the latter part of the day. A Close holiday was observed, and a considerable numbei of people went train to To Aroha, whilst many others went picnicking down the coast, and up tho Kauaeranga. The principal local attraction, however, was a floral fete, held under the auspices of tho Hauraki Band, in Dodd's Paddock, at Parawai, which was capitally attended by the public. It was first preceded by a march through tho town from the Bank of New Zealand corner, the procession being composed of decorated bicycles, vehicles, and mounted horsos and ponies, headed by tho band, the procession being under the superintendence of Captain Lucas, who acted as marshal. Some of the vehicles were very handsomely decorated, amongst the most conspicuous being those driven by Misses McLaren, Miss Haszard, and Messrs. 'Kenny, Moorman, and Gubb, whilst for original designs Miss "Williams' lifeboat crew of little girls and Miss Gemming' decorated chariot were the best. The prooessin attracted a great deal of attention and presented a very pleasing spectacle. On arrival at Dodd's Paddock at Parawai, there was a grand march round the ground, after which judging was proceeded with in the various competitions, the judges boing Messrs. J. Hague Smith, W. Scott, and J. Shand. The results were as follows:—Bicycle (natural): Ladies Miss Harris (bride), 1; Miss Jephson 2; Miss Specr, 3. Bicycle (artificial): Ladies— Jacobson (Britannia), 1. Bicycle (natural): Gent.J. Swindley, 1; J. Horn, 2; Martin and Griffin, 3. Bicycle (artificial): Gent.'s—J. Constant (swan), 1; Alf. Long, 2. Go-carts: Mrs. Booth, 1; Mrs. Strong, 2. Ladies' horses: Miss Price, 1; Miss West, 2. Girl's ponies: Miss West, 1 Miss Winder, 2; Miss C. Brown, 3. Boy's ponies : Wright. 1; Deeble, 2. Two-wheeled vehicle: Miss McLaren, 1; Miss Haszard, 2. Four-wheeled buggy: Miss Whitehead, 1. Sprint carts (natural): Kenny, 1; Moorman, 2; Gubb, 3. Spring carts (natural): Kenny, 1; Moorman, 2; Gubb, 5. Spring carts (artificial): Thornton, 1. Most original design: Miss Williams (lifeboat), Captain Elsie Clarke, 1. Decorated Chariot: Miss Gemmings (the harvesters), '1. Decorated domestic pet: Parcy Payne (decorated dog), 1.

COROMANDEL. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Cokomandel, Wednesday. The Coromandel Volunteer Firo Brigade hold their annual picnio at Tawhiti Bay today. The s.s. Falcon conveyed the picnickers to the bay, where all enjoyed themselves, the weather proving fine. Tho Methodist Sunday-school picnic, held in Mr. Bridson's paddock, broke rip about two p.m. owing to steady rain setting in.

WAIIII.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Waiht, Wednesday. This morning about 500 Sunday-school children, marshalled by the Rev. Mr, Olphert and headed by tho Salvation Army Band, marched down the main street. The parade included six denominations as follows: — Church of England, Methodists, Presbyterians, Primitive Methodists, Baptists, and Salvation Army. At the junction of the main street and Rosemont Road the procession was broken up and formed into an acute anglo with a wide base, and in this position were photographed from Munroe's buildings. The procession then formed up in fours and moved off in tho direction of Hollis' Paddock. Unfortunately rain showers at intervals spoilt what promised to bo a most enjoyablo outing. {■•.,,