U.F.S. PICNIC AT WAIMATE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XL, Issue 12430, 22 January 1915, Page 1

U.F.S. PICNIC AT WAIMATE.

Comnsiitoo —Aiar-iial: Bro. A. !•". Stock. I'i isiden! : .Mi' J. Mcoiv. S( cri'Tf.rv: Pro. A. A. Stuck. Treasurer: Bro. !•'. Mackenzie. Starlor: Bro. D. M'Loed. Handi-r-:\]>p«-r : Pro. C. Taylor. Fvnottingly Park, Y\" :;i hiaL-■. tho place cho.sr'ii as 11 if? picnic ground l'or this year's excursion under tho auspices of the United friendly Societies of Oa.'.iarn, presented a gay and animated appoara:ier yesterday. Tho. grounds arc ideal for such a gathering, but with the !ir;(t of yesterday a day'at the sea-' side would have been preferable. The largo train of ].'3 carriages that left Oamaru .shortly after J) o'ejock carried river 000 passengers, wlio were looking forward to a pleasant day's outing. In this it is pertain they were hot disappointed. Froin the outset the Committee ruling the proceedings endeavored to in all .ways' studv the interests of the excursionists, and "in this they succeeded in no small degree. War, and tile deplorable devastation of life and property that marks its track, is heartrending in the. extreme"; and-to some it might' see-ni mockery that we here in New Zealand., remote from the- scenes of strife, should cake our pleasure as if nothing untoward was happening. This, however, has even been the policy of the British race. History tells of the calling away from scenes of "revelry to scenes of strife', and day by day cables, .tell of our bravo soldiers, fighting: the j fight of right at the present time, taking their pleasure and-amusement as a! matter of course, ahd : giving it up with { ontwjard bad grace to- renew hostilities, j Yesterday's outing, however, combined i its pleasure with practicability, the| proceeds of the day going to the aid of Beliriuni and her people—the former ruthless!v destroyed, the latter homeJess. Thus duty went hand in hand with pleasure. The train stooped at crossing lending to the Park, and many scon "found shade, from the sun among the trees. . Here hampers were unpacked, and luncheon was partaken of. To aid in this matter and relieve the encumbrances connected .with it, the Waimate Council —ever generous to such excursions—-supplied lipt water and milk liberally, which were received by the visitors with appreciation. Numbers, however, went on'to. the station and visited and lunched at the town. . The Mayor of Waimate (Mr J. Black) welcomed the public of Oamaru in Waimate and expressed pleasure at the numbers who were pleased to visit the town and picnic at the Park.

After luncheon most of the excursionists were present at the Park, and the programme of snorts and other competitions held their -attention till returning time." 3.1 any took opportunity during a lull jn the proceedings to make a tour of the Park, which came in for much favorable comment. ICnliving was the generous supulv of music by tL'e 10th Regiment Band under Corporal Hambley, and the North Otasro Pipe Band, under Lieut. Cooper. Both bands deserve credit for their performonce. and best thanks for? the pleasure they afforded. , At. the Committee's luncheon, at which were nresen't the Mayor and Mayoress of Waimate and the Mayor and Mayoress of, Oamaru, Bro. J. Sleore (President of the Picnic Committee) spoke in praise of the workers, and expressed thanks for the sympathy and co-operation of the Waimate Council.

The Mayor and Councillors of Waimate were , entertained at afternoon I : t its conclusion the Marshal {Mr A. F: Stock), in a few interesting ren\arks, asked Air W. H. Frith, Mayor of Cjainaru, to speak. Mr Frith expressed .great pleasure at being present. It was eight years sines his previous visit to Waimate. and b« noticed much progress.. _ He complimented the Mayor, Councillors, and citizens of Waimate 011 the improvements. The buildings were handsome and imposing, the streets excellent, and though like Oamaru, not the hub of the universe, it would do its share towards upholding the traditions of the British Empire. The-first principal of a picnic was enjoyment, and. judging by the looks of the excursionists, they had fully enjoyed themselves. Apart from that there was the war. and- far distant was the suffering and distress of the Belgims. To help alleviate this distress was the aim of the day's picnic, the net proceeds all going towards the Beb'ian Fund. Mr Frith spoke of the insincerity of Germany and the atrocities committed bv her soldiers- .He, was proud that the British Empire had | to"the occasion, and shown sympathy with those who- have been so; badlv affected. Mr Frith thanked the Mavor and Councillors for their presence, and hoped- for their enjoyment-., He also thanked them for the use ot the Park, and the grand welcome exoovo n j^ o 0 n behalf of +h a committee, thankms: the Mayor ana Councillors for the kindly welcome and the manner in wliicli they, .hud looked, after the visitors. c ',~. . x ■„ Mr J Black (Mavor of Waimate), in replying, said it afforded him great pleasure to be present. Ihe welcome l»o extended. • was ■ pren heartily. Waimate people were given a splendid reception on their visits to Oamaru and lie was glad to, in return, m eleome thi? Oamaru public. Mr E." Thorne, of Oamaru, was the caterer 'for these functions, and his efforts were pleasingly satisfactory. The ruling" body of officials was large and enthusiastic, one and ail working hard to ensure success. One sub-com-mittee looked after the welfare of the youngsters. Paces, for wlucn nearly everv entrant received a present, lollie scrambles, etc., beloved by the youth, were m sxencrous sun-ply and keen demand. Then, too, their were entertaining events for-the adults. Much interest w.as shown in the tug-of-\\ar, foi which five teams entered. Tt was v. on by the Alfred Lodge, who kindly donated their winnings to the Belgian Fund. No picnic is complete without » B.aby Show "and large numbers viewed this.' No less than .twenty entries were - attracted and the Mayoresses of Waimate and Oamaru had hard work in the judging. The prizes were awarded as" follows: —Boys, under 12 months: Mrs M'Nee (Ptikeuri), 1, Mrs Clark (Waimate) 2. Girls, under 12 months: Mrs W. Moore (Oamaru) 1, Mrs Connell (Oama ro) 2. Mixed sexes over 12 months: Mi's - Tripp (Oaniarn) 1, Mis Winslade (Oamaru) 2. The- largest family on the "'round, for which \vas donated a sPecial-orize, was that of Mi find Airs Geo. Patterson, Soutlj Oamaru, who had nine representatives.-. The only set back of the day was athe conclusion, when it was" found that the train would not be stopping at the crossing as on the -upward journey, and • excursionists had to make the long walk to Waimate Station to obtain seats. This, no doubt, was welcomed by many, wlio'enioved the walk through the then cooi air. It was, however, a handicap to some and ft was to be regretted that hotter arrangements, could not be made. The officials worked hard to get better arrangements but were unable to do so. The return journey was made in good time, Oamaru being reached a few minutes before 7. o'clock. Following are the results cS the sports events-: - Children's Race, under s—Boys:s—Boys: H. Cox, G. Webb. S. Castles; Girls: R. Bell, M. M'Leod, B. Pheloung. Boys' Race, under 8 years: A Rennie, A. Winslade, T. Tait. Girls' Race, under 8 years: S. Evans, T. H inkle v. A. Ross. Bovs' Race, over S years and under 12 year.- —First . Race :- B. Wilis, H. Latham, J. Henderson. Second Rape: I H. Butcher. R. Andrews, S. Smith, j Third Race: C. Harrison, W. Main, P. ' Morton. ! Boys' Wheelbarrow Race—First Race : Andrews and Russell. 1. and F. M'Mahon. Hopley and Hannon. Second j E-ace: J. and L. Harvey; Wills and ' Emerson, Paul and Henderson. . Gyis' fland-in-Hand Race —First

Race: F.. Jacobs and M. Sidev. D'. Campbell and E. Fiayley, J). Sil.ia and S. F;van.«. Stcond Race: A. Brown and .1. Hannigan, C. Paul and L. Henderson. M. Stoddart and V. Rout. Young Ladies' Pace: M. Sparks, S. Imler. 1. Goodall. oung Ladies' Pace, for gold'bangle: K. Buiek, A!. Sparks, I']. HopJey.. Married Ladies' Race: Mrs S. Evans, Mrs Smith. Boys Crawling Race —First Race: T. Orr, \Y. Main, F. Emerson. . Second Race: D. Andrews. C. Brown, T. -\i' M all on. Third Race: L. Norton, E. Gilchrist, H, Pigeon. Young Men's Race: T. Donovan, E. M'Mahon. Married Men's Race: T. Pheloung, J. Sparks. " Boys' Sack Race—First Race:' T. M'Mahon, F. M'Mahon. R. Paul. Second Race: A. Park., J. Dunn, B. Wills. _ 1 Boys 75 \aids Race —First Raoc:-C. Harrison, R. Paul. G. Cox. Second Race: H. ;-Sidey, A. Jackson, E. Gilchrist. Young Ladies' Three-legged Race— Misses S. Inder and 1). Appleby, -Misses Buick_ and Dunn, .Misses Ivy Goodall | and N. Gilchrist. Girls Three-legged Race—M. Smith and. R. Wii'ls, H. Hunt and M. Stoddart. A. Browri and J. Hannigan.