THE HOLIDAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3646, 24 January 1899, Page 5

THE HOLIDAY.

PERFECT SUMMED WEATHER. RAILWAY AND STEAMER TRAFFIC. Whan day broke yesterday morning the 'weather prospects for the Anniversary Day holiday were by no means promising. The wind was from the south, and alight drizzling rain fell at intervals. ByOo’clock. however, a complete change had come over the face of things, and before long the “blue vault of heaven ” appeared uaobscured by clouds, and the flags hoisted in the city in honour of the birthday of the colony waved gsiiy in the brightest sunshine. At 1 o’clock the wind changed to the prevailing quarter, bat there was no alteration in the weather, which continued perfect. On the Government railway line over 5000 persons travelled from Wellington yesterday. Of these 2odD, or one-half, went to the Hutt Racecourse. To Upper Hurt and stations on this side of that point 2000 passengers were conveyed. The two early morning trains—the WairarapaNapier and the Mastorton —had about 430 passengers in all. For some of the race trains, in consequence of the supply of first-class carriages being insufficient to meot'the demand, the issue cf first-class tickets had to be limited. Throughout the day the trains were despatched with punctuality. It may be mentioned that on Saturday nearly 1400 passengers were conveyed by train to the Hutt Racecourse. About 2000 excursionists went out of town by the Wellington-Manawatu Railway Company’s trains. The mail train was well patronised, and included in its passengers were some bound for the Foxton races. Both t’uo 10 and 11 a.m. trains were well patronised hy persons bound for Crofton, KhandallaH, Poiirua, Tlimnierton, Paikakariki and other stations. The steamers Duchess and Duco ferried more than 2000 persons across the harbour toDay’s Bay. *lt had been arranged that the Queen of tho South should also taka part in the service, but she was unable to get away from Foxton. Visitors to the buy had an exceedingly pleasant time, both on the water and at Mr Williams’ delightful grounds. . Around the rooks, on the beach in Oriental Bay, in the reserve at Kilbirnie, and on the shores of Evans, Lyell and Island Bays, hundreds of children, attended by their parents, spent a happy day. Pad-* dling and bathing in tho sun-warmed water, they whetted appetites which made short work of the contents of well-filled luncheon kits and baskets. * r '

PICNICS. . V . Some BSO persons attended the Salvation Army picnic held at McNah's Gardens, Mrs W. F. Ross’pleasant , grounds at the Lower Hutt. Inspiriting’brass hand music was provided, and very hearty singing also served to increase the enjoyment of the picnickers. With equal heartiness sports and games were conducted: In the refreshment department full satisfaction was given, and altogether the outing was most successful. The picnickers made the journey to and from the Lower Hutt by train. ■■ A picnic in connection with the Roseneath State School was held at Cabbage Tree Flat. The children, to tho number of about 80, assembled at the school in the ■ morning, and marched four deep along the Rosoneath road to the picnic ground. Here their numbers were considerably supplemented. ‘ Races for both the boys and the girls were held, under the superintendence of. Mr Wilson, the headmaster., Games of various: kinds filled in , a very enjoyable day. Refreshments were provideduby the parents, and a gitt of ton dozen'soft drinks by Mr Lewis, of Messrs Thomson, Lewis and Co„ was specially appreciated. The Picnic - Committee was composed;, of the following ladies.:—Missh Perhahi/’Mesdames White. Beck, Cording, iGoomhef and' T. Watt. It had been arv/ranged to : hold a “ social ” and dance in the schoolroom in the evening, but on ” Saturday the school committee intiiiiat’cd that tho use of tho building’ could not bo granted. Many of ; the adult picnickers, however, ended the; 'doy-pleasantly at a social gathering at Mr' JohniGoombe’s residence.

The Thorndon. Wesleyan, Sunday School picnicked at Khandallah, to which fav-ourite-resort about 220 persons, mostlychildren, were conveyed by the 10 a.m. train from the Wellington-Manawatu Railway Company's Station. • i The scholars attending the Courtehay place and Newtown Congregational Sunday Schools and .the Adelaide road Primitive Methodist School picnicked .at Newtown • Park; where numerous private' parties also passed a pleasant day. , ' -THE .CHEMISTS’ GATHERING. The picnic field by the combined chemists and druggists at Mr Caverhill’s grounds, was a pronounced success. 1 There was a large attendance, of adults and children, and, favoured by fine weather, an enjoyable day was spent. Following are the results of the; sports: held during the day:—Ladies’ Race (Messrs Kempthorno and Prosser’s trophy)—Miss Gambrill. Master Chemists’ Race (Mr ‘A. Low’s trophy)—Giesen, 3yds, 1; Owen, 3yds, 2; Bricn, scr, 3.Boys’: Race (Mr Larkin’s trophy)—Hylton, 1; Fitzgerald, 2. Three-legged Race (Messrs Giesen and Woods’ tropliies)—Willis and Larkin, 1; Elson and Horrocks, 2. Egg and Spoon Race (ladies) —Miss Gambrill, 1; Miss Leathara, 2. Girls’ Race- (Mr Lachman’s trophy)—Miss Daisy Caverhill .1; Miss 'Winnie Low, 2. Chemists’ and Druggists’ Handicap (Mr Owen’s trophy)—-Willis, 1; Leatham, 2; Baumgardt, '3. ' Boys’ Race (Mr R. D. Hanlon’s trophy)—J. Gunn (Timaru), 1; J. Elliott, 2. . Sack Race (Sir J. Clay’s trophy)—Baumgardt, 1; Talbot, 2. Bicycle Race, half mile (Messrs . Sharland and Co.’s trophy)— Grease, 1; Scott, 2. Tug-of-war, wholesale v. retail, won by retail.- There were twenty-eight entries for the halfmile .walk- (Mr Hanlon’s trophy), but as all tiie competitors were disqualified the trophy was given for a Boys’Race, \vhich was won' by, Wallace, Fitzgerald being second. - . i

‘ SPORTS AT WANGANUI. PRESS ASSOCIATION. Wanganui, January 23. There was beautiful weather for the holiday, the principal attractions; being the Caledonian sports, which, were largely attended and highly successful. There was the biggest Igathcring of pipers ever seen here, no fewer than 16 being on tho ground. Tho points i prize for Highland music was taken by Piper Cameron, and for dancing by Forbes, whilst most points in tossing tho- caber, putting the hammer and throwing the stono were made by McDowell, of Palmerston : North.