EXCURSION TO PICTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6439, 2 December 1881, Page 6

EXCURSION TO PICTON.

BY ODR SPECIAL REPORTER.

The special excursion across the Strait to Pictou offered by the owners of the Grafton, on the Prince of Wales’ Birthday, was taken advantage of by nearly 150 people, who, as a company bent on enjoyment, and with a determination to be sociable, could not have been more happily met had they been specially chosen. On board of a small steamer with crowded decks and cabins, even on a short run of a few hours’ duration, matters can be made very unpleasant by a “ crabby ” ship’s company or disagreeable fellow-passengers. Fortunately the Grafton possessed neither, as the captain, his officers, Mr Blacklock (purser), and the steward and stewardess were most civil and obliging, and, although their tempera must on more than one occasion during the trip have been put to test, nothing occurred to mar the pleasure of a sea voyage ; even Neptune’s victims grinned and bore it without a murmur. The Grafton cast off her lines shortly after midnight, and, there being a clear moon, the voyage across the Strait at the rate of nine knots, with a light breeze and gentle swell, was made pleasant to one and all. Entering Tory Channel about 4 a.m. on Wednesday, our vessel returned leisurely up the Sounds, stopping for about 20 minutes at the Golden Point Company’s mine to land a picnic party. We reached the Pictou Wharf shortly before 7 o’clock. The p.s. Charles Edward, which left Wellington the same night as the Grafton, arrived soon after that vessel, and also carried a number of excursionists, including the Bohemian team of cricketers. The Piotonites welcomed their arrival, early as it was, with a profuse display of bunting and a crowded wharf, except, if I may remark, one crossgrained hotel-keeper, who apparently regarded the Wellingtonians as interlopers and not entitled to consideration even to the extent of civility. The final destination being Blenheim, some 20 miles distant, a special train, which left at 8.15, and comprised 10 crowded carriages, reached the Blenheim platform at 10 o’clock, where a number of express carts, ’busses, and other vehicles were in waiting to convey the visitors to either the Foresters and Oddfellows' sports or to the scene of the cricket match, Wellington v. Blenheim. Wednesday was observed by the Blenbeimites as a strict holiday, in honor of the Prince of Wales’ Birthday, everyplace of business—except the hotels—being closed ; consequently, there was little inducement to keep the visitors in town, except, perhaps the novelty of wandering about the streets to see the scenery and note the many pretty private residences and flower gardens. The centre of attraction was, undoubtedly, the

Friendly Societies’ Sports, on some private J grounds near the racecourse, and about two ] miles from town. There were at least 600 people present, and sports of all kinds—including kiss in-the-ring and dancing on the green—were indulged in the whole day. The pleasure was further enhanced by the presence of the Blenheim Brass Baud. The other attraction was the cricket match between the Wellington Bohemians and the local Star Club, which, as will be seen by the annexed scores, resulted in the discomfiture of the Empire City knights of the willow. In justice to them, however, it is only fair to say that they labored under several disadvantages. They had been awake all the previous night during the sea trip from Wellington, which, together wich a jerky railway journey from Picton, the drive to tbe ground aud the match immediately afterwards, did not tend to put them in the best of condition to contest a game that requires with the assistance of the limbs a quick eye and clear brain. Previous to the match being commenced, and whilst some of the players were practising with the ball, Crowther, one of the Bohemians, received an ugly blow on the left forehead from a ball thrown for a catch. Its force knocked him clean off his legs, and it was some time before he was able to take his place iu the field. X'he ground on which the wicket was pitched was v.-ry rough and prevented the ball, when once to grass, travelling far. The toss was won by the Bohemians, who elected to take the field. Mr Woodman acted as umpire for them, and Mr Birch for Blenheim. The following are the scores :

Grand total .. .. 71 An adjournment took place at 1 p;m., when the two teams dined together, and complimentary toasts were exchanged aud suitably responded to. Leaving Blenheim at 2.30, we reached Picton at 5 o’clock, most of our passengers having a huge bouquet of flowers to remind them of their visit to one of the prettiest little country towns in the South Island. That the whole district had given itself up to holiday keeping was easily seen during the returu to Picton, as the line of route from Blenheim was dotted in innumerable places with picnic parties, who hailed our arrival in their midst with exclamations of welcome, aud a waving of handkerchiefs. X'he steamers, with their living freight, left on the return voyage shortly after 6 o’clock, a large number of people assembling on the wharf to witness the departure. The trip throughout was most enjoyable, and it is to be hoped the owners of the Grafton and Charles Edward will afford like opportunities, at cheap rates as yesterday, to our citizens of a pleasant sea voyage across the water.

BLEVHEIM STAB CEICKET CLUB 1st Innings. 2nd Innings Robinson, ibw .. 1 b Luxford 1 Thompson, b Willis .. 4 b Willis ,. 0 Ryan, run out .. 5 b Luxford 0 Terawhiti, b Houghton .. 6 ibw 1 McCrae. b Willis .. 0 c Blacklock _ 5 Trewick, b Houghton .. 6 b Houghton 11 Holliday, not out 12 c Salmon 0 Mclvor, c Edser .. 4 b Edser 0 Beale, c Luxford .. 0 run out ., Giblin, run out .. 0 run out .. 6 Harris, b Willis .. 1 c Crowther 1 Byes, 10; leg-byes wicles, 1 .. 1 ; .. 18 ■Byes, 5 ; wide, 1 C Total 1st Innings .. 56 Total .. 32 51 Grand total .. S8 BOHEMIANS. 1st Innings. 2nd Innings. Willis, run out 1 b Halliday 14 Haughton, b Beale .. 2 b Trewick 0 Ccowther, b Beale 3 c Ryan.. 1 Blacklock, b McCrae 0 c Robinson 2 Edser, c Mclvor 4 b Halliday 3 Ralraon, b McCrae .. 1 b Trewick 17 Luxford, b Rule 0 b Halliday 3 Young, c Halliday .. 0 b Halliday 0 Astill, b Beale.. 3 c Harris 0 Mann, not out 1 not out 1 Young (sub.), b McCrae 3 b Trewiclc 5 Bye 1 Byes 5, wides 2 .. 7 Total .. 19 Total .. 52