GREATER DUNRDIN CORPORATION PICNIC.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13545, 19 March 1906, Page 5

GREATER DUNRDIN CORPORATION PICNIC.

On Saturday morping a train carrying about 1100 persons steamed away from the Diinedin Station bound (or the shores of Lake Waihola. The object of the excursion was to enable the corporation employees metaled in the comprehensive term of Greater Diinedin, together with their wives and families, to enjoy a day's outing, anil Fate, in the shape of weather, smiled approval. The day proved beautifully fine, a gentle breeze just tempering the sun's ravs nicely. The function was the first of tlic kind undertaken since tlm amalgamation of the city and suburban boroughs, and although the exigencies of the service picvented the tramways, gasworks, and clerical staffs from being present, the attendance was most gratifying to those responsible for the general arrangements. The Mayor of Ditneclin (Mr J. Braifhwailo) was, owing to a slight illness, prevented from attending, and Or Lawrence was the only representative of the council present. The visitors included, amongst others. Messrs (J. M. Barr, 0.K., John Allan (city engineer), and various heads of departments. Messrs Casey and M'Donald, of the "All Blacks," were also present. The Taicri looked at its best, ripening fields and stocked grain everywhere proclaiming the fact that harvest was in full swing, and also thai the labour ot the farmers during the past season had not been altogether in vain. The committee had prepared a lengthy sports programme, and a start was made iimnediately upou arrival at Waihola. In regard to the management, however, a good deal was left to he desired. Although the various members of the committee worked very hard indeed, there was a lack of'cooperation which made it very difficult to find the winning competitors iii the various events. Nevertheless everybody succeeded in enjoying themselves thoroughly, and good fields generally faced the starter, and judicious handicapping produced some very good finishes. A prize baby contest proved the chief attraction for the ladies, and Mr .Tobn Allan and Mr S. Goyen had a difficult task to pick the winners from amongst a couple of dozen smiling and dimpled cherubs, every one of whom was a winner in tho eyes of its immediate circle of admirers. The tug-of-war proved an exciting event, and was won in good style by the Ross Creek team in a decisive manner. The chief event was the Corporation Handicap, which was run in three heats. In the second heat the pistol refused to go off no less than five times, and the starter thereupon cried "Go." Half the men got away, the others remaining on their respective marks, so the issuo remained in doubt until after reaching town in the evening. Contrary to the usual custom there was no final heat, but the omission made no appreciable difference in the day's enjoyment. Before leaving the picnic ground Cr Lawrence addressed a few remarks to those present, in the course of which he apologised for the absence of the Mayor for reasons already staled, and also for the absence of bis fellow councillors, who were detained owing to their business engagements and also to the fact that Saturday was usually a busy <lity for most of them. He thanked the .employees for tho invitation to be present with them. It was the first occasion of the kind, and it had proved a decided success. He trusted that it would be followed by similar excursions in ho future, and that they would prove equally as successful as the present one. From bis knowledge of the men employed by the corporation lie had no hesitation in saying that they were a fine body of men, and he hoped to have tho pleasure of being with them at future gatherings of a similar nature. Cheers were given for Cr Lawrence, Mr Allan, Mr Duncan, and Mr Barr before dispersing. A detachment of the Dunedin Pipe Rand was in attendance during the day. and added materially to the pleasure of the outing, and children of both sexes were kept busy throughout the day competing lor abundance of prizes. Mr Duncan had an unenviable task as handicapper, but he succeeded so well that ho fairly earned the thanks accorded him. The following is the prize list, gleaned from various sources: —

Carters' Race, 120 yaids.—Caliill 1, Hodge 2, Bloofield 3. Ten competed, Caliill winning easily.

Married Ladies' Race, 50 yards.—Mrs Barnes 1, Mrs M'Donald 2, Mrs ilntely 3.

Corporation Handicap. First distance, 120 yards. Twenty-two entries.—Morrow 1, Foster 2, Murdoch 3. E«g-und-spoon Race. Twelve entries.—Hodge 1, Foster 2, Elliott 3. Half-mile Walk. Nine entries— H'Konzie 1, Caliill 2, A. M'Kelvie .1.

Potato Race—Foster 1, Hodge 2, Elliott 3. Twelve competed.

Old Eulfcrs' Race.—L'Estrangc 1, M'Esven 2, Thomson 3.

Ladies' Race (visitors).-Miss Blagdon 1, Miss Lindock and Miss Clydesdale (equal) 2, Mrs Hogg 3. Corporation Handicap, 320 yards. Twelve entries.-Sh.iw 1, Caliill 2, Cnbitt 3.

Sack Race.-W. Caliill 1. Rcwe 2, Elliott 3. Visitors' Race (gentlemen), 120 yards—Sim 1, Bennett 2, Forstor 3.

Putting the "101b shot—Casey, 3fift, 1; Caliill, 33ft, 2.; J. Jones 3. Siamese Twins' Race, 100 yards. Eleven entries.—Oliver and Foster 1, Caliill and Ruwa 2 Sharp and Hodge 3. Babv Competition. Twenty-four entries.— Mrs Hammon's baby boy, 1; Mrs O'Hara's babv girl 1. Tug-oi-war.—Ross Creek team 1, Maori Hill i?am°2, Municipal team No. 1 3. Committee Race, 100 yards. Seven entries— Murdoch 1, Oliver 2, Moir 3. Corporation Handicap.—This was awarded to the three competitors winning the most points. Just before leaving for town it was slated officially that the pri-Ms had been awarded to Shaw, Caliill, and Cubitt in the order named, hit on the wr.v to town Caliill was placed first, with Moir'and Shaw (equal) second.