NEW ZEALAND REFRIGERATING COMPANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2331, 3 November 1898, Page 23

NEW ZEALAND REFRIGERATING COMPANY.

The employees of the New Zealand Refrigerating Company held their first annual pSc on S Saturday at Waihola , Mr Patcrson kindly placing his convenient and commodious paddock at the service of the Pwau^as. The morning opened very favourably, and as the party,,£umbering over 300, proceeded to Waihola by the 8 o'clock train from town hopes were high that the weather was going to be alorious. The prospects were not wholly fulfilled, but on the whole good picnic conditions were experienced for the major portion of the day. The wind got very cold earyin the afternoon, the ram, fortunately, holding off until the sports programme had been exhausted and the prizea distributed. The best of good fellowship prevailed, and all seemed intent upon enjoying themselves and doing their best to amuse and entertain their neighbours. Games of all descriptions were indulged in, and all the youngsters were made happy, at the very outset, by being given a whip, a trumpet, or some other acceptable toy. A band organised by Mr T. Dallas was in attendance, and added greatly to the general enjoyment by frequent musical selections, and when the weather became too boisterous for outdoor games, they played dance music in the hall, thus keeping things lively the arrival of the 5.54 train to town. The prizes were distributed to the successful competitors by Mr J A. Stewart, secretary to the company, and on his call three ringing cheers were given for the company, for their handsome donation to the funds, and the other donors of the prizes. Mr A. Douglas, in the course of a happy speech, made reference to the extensions to the Burnside works now in progress, and expressed his belief that they would prove very beneficial to the whole of the district m which they were located. On Mr Douglas s call hearty cheers were given for the committee and the other 3 who had been responsible for the successful carrying out of the picnic. The various sports events brought out large fields, most of the races being keenly contested. The following are the results:— , Boys' Race, 150yds— T. Ritchie 1, W. Watt 2 Slaughtermen's Department Race, 220 yds— D. Russell 1, H. Crawford 2, A. Miller 3. Young Ladies' Race (over 17)— Miss M. Rutherford 1, Mis 3R. Rutherford 2. Three-legged Race— Edgar and Breinuer 1. Hop, Step, ana

Jump— A. Batchelor, 33ft 6Jin, 1. Mile Walk-* J. Buchanan, 50yds, 1 ; Charle3 Cornish, 50ydsv 2. Married Ladies' Race — Mrs Graham 1, Mr< Kerr 2. Mutton-handlers' Eace, 220yds— R. Bremner 1, J. Lindsay 2, J. Edgar 3. Old Buffers' Race (over 50)— J. Mason 1, J. Wilson 2. Mr J. Scott (70 years) took the prize foi the oldest man in the race. Tug-of-war — Butchers and fresh mutton hands 1. Visitors' Race, 150 yds —C. Laing 1, W. Kerr 2. Engine eers' and Firemen's Race, 220 yds — J. Aitcheson 1, J. Mason 2. Egg-and-spoon Race— "VV. Kerr 1, W. Burt 2. Committee Race— J. A. Stewar* 1, A. Miller 2. Bicycle Race (from Tifcri U Waihola)— W. Renfree 1, Saunders 2. Consola tion— A. Miller 1.