THE SCHOOL EXCURSION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1199, 22 February 1895, Page 13

THE SCHOOL EXCURSION.

The school excursion from Masterton to Wellington,, on Friday was a great success, close iijSdn-.-,800 children and adults taking advantage of the outing. The excursionists were accommodated in a train consisting of 12 carriages, which left Masterton -punctually, at a quarter to 6, in charge of ■Sir"ftftptoe, Pisbrict Traffic Manager, who went up specially to superintend the arrangements. The train came to Cross 3 Creek without stopping at any of the stations on the route, and was hauled from there to the Summit by three engines. The, run from the Summit to Wellington was also made with only one stoppage — Kaitoke—the train arriving punctually at 10.20' a.m., the advertised time. As the majority of the excursionists had never. travelled so far from home before, the sharp curves, the tunnels, the pretty bush s scenery and the three powerful engines puffing and struggling up the steep grade between the Creek Station and the Summit were to them a source" of great interest, and, it is to be presumed, enlightenment, The children were accompanied in nearly all cases by their parents or friends. Mr Jackson, the headmaster, and nearly all the teachers, the chairman of the, School Committee, Mr Sellar, the secretary, and several members of the committee also came down, all of whom spoke in very complimentary terms of the admirable manner in which the children conducted themselves. MrHcgg, M.H.R., who had been instrumental in, arranging the excursion, was also present. A large crowd gathered at the station to see the train come in, amongst those present being the Hon R. J. Seddon, Mr J. R. Blair (chairman of the Education Board), Mr Dorset (secretary) and Mr Robertson (secretary of the School Committees' Association). The Premier informed Mr Hogg that he had acceded to his request, and had directed that the Government offices and buildings—such as the Telephone Exchange and Telegraph Office, GovernmWt Buildings and Parliament House —be thrown open for the inspection of the visitors. Had the excursion been confined solely to the School children under the care of their teachers, it was intended by the executive of the School Committees' Association to entertain the youthful excursionists, and provide lollies, &c, for them, but as it took the form it did, they did not feel called upon to carry out the proposed arrangement. A request was also made for the use of the Ellen Ballance, but as the launch was otherwise engaged, it could not be obtained. During the day numbers of the children visited the shipping at the wharves, the various public buildings, had a look : at the cricket match on the Basin Reserve, and freely patronised the trams. The return journey started at 5.30 p.m., extra accommodation being provided in anticipation of the children being tired. Mr [Donne accompanied the train again.

More carriages would have been provided in the morning, but it was found that 12 would be as many as the three engines would be able to haul up the steep grade of the Rimutaka. Our Martinborough correspondent writes : —" The cheap railway trip for the school children was not taken advantage of here. The powers that be do not seem to take nruch interest in the children's amusement, and no effort was made to induce them to take a trip." The Railway Department have issued a circular stating that in order that the children of parents in needy circumstances may not be debarred from future school excursions, 10 per cent, of the children from any school will be carried free. The free tickets will be given on the recommendation of the master as rewards for diligence and good conduct.