PICNICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2240, 4 February 1897, Page 30

PICNICS.

COSSENS AND BLACK'S EMPLOYEES. } The annual picnic of the employees of Messrs j Cossens and Black was held on Saturday at Waifcati. The party left by train at 9 a.m. and on arrival at their destination proceeded to the paddock of Mr Colehan, where hot water and milk were in readiness for them, and the j | teapots were soon put into requisition. Sports ! of various kinds were carried out under the i supervision of the committee, prizes for the ] races having been provided by the firm, whilst j * few special prizes had beeu generously con- j ti'ibuted by other firms in town. Mr Black was | unavoidably absent, but Mr J. T. Boss was on the ground, and spared no trouble to spread enjoyment amongst tbe party. Mrs Slack, Mrs Cossene, and Mrs Boss were alßo indefatigable and entirely successful in their endeavours to make visitors aud friends feel comfortable. Numerous toys wore presented to the little one», which, with fruit and sweetmeats, tended to gladden their hearts, and when three cheers were called for the firm their childish voices joined moat heartily in the ovation. The weather was delightful, and the party reached town about 8 p.m., declaring, "ti* anrt all, that the outing had boeti most nioyabl' . ! U S.S. COMPANY'S EMPLOYEES, j The annual pionio of the Union Steam Ship i Cjmnany's employees was held at Warrington ; on Saturday. A special train conveyed the i PRrty to their destination, leaving Port | Chalmers at about 9.45, having called at ! l > vluh<'fc Bay, Raveusbourue, and Sawyers' Bay i ii route to pick up detachments. A large i umbbi- were taken on at Fort, fully 1000 being i uu board the train as it slowly steamed up the i big incline from the Upper Port station. A pleasant journey was experienced, and the party arrived at Warrington at 11.10. The site chosen for the picnic was about half a mile frem the station, in a fine paddock of Mr Downes's, and was admirably adapted for the service required of it, having a fine terrace '. overlooking the beaches. Teuts had been • erected, aud the tea boilers were under way by ; the time of the arrival of the crowd on tbe ) ground, headed by the Port Chalmers Garrison i Baud. Tbe smaller members of the party were soon disporting themselves in the waters of Blueskin Bay. After the luncheon adjournment the Sports Committee scartea their lengthy .programme, and carried it out moat j successfully, iiuishicg by 5 p.m. Dancing was indulged in on the green, under the supervision ot Mr Da Costa, and the prizes were distributed by Mr James Mills, who, with Mr E G. Allen, acted as jndge at the baby Bhow. The party started homeward at -6.15, arriving at Port Chalmers at 7.20 and Dunedin at 8 p.m., having spent a most enjoyable day. On Saturday afteraoon a large family picnic was held at the Kaikorai, the occasion boiDg a reun'on of the Wallace family. Forty-two members, old and youug, met together, including Mr and Mrs Wallace from Belleville, Canada (after 18 years' absence), and a very pleasant time was spent. Mr Barton took a large photo of the family group during the 1 afternoon.

[ The coal exported from Greymouth last week was 2604 tons 7cwb and the timber G6.lß3ffc.