WAITAHUNA SCHOOL EXCURSION TO DUNEDIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2401, 8 March 1900, Page 62

WAITAHUNA SCHOOL EXCURSION TO DUNEDIN.

Dear Dot, — The children belonging to our school accompanied by the teachers, parents, and guardians, numbering about 120, left Waitahuna station at 7 a.m. on Friday last, the 24th February, en route for the City of Dunedin, bent on having a day's pleasure, doing the sights and enjoying themselves to the fullest extent. The morning and all through the day it was beautifully fine. Both children and adults were in the very best of spirits to start with, and the usual waving of handkerchiefs, hurrahing, and singing were carried out by the children to their hearts' content. On arrival at Dunedin the secretary (Mr M'Ara) and our schoolmistress (Miss Wnll) took us over to the Leviathan Hotel, where arrangements had been made to provide dinner for all. Meanwhile our head teacher (Mr J. IL Patrick), who was at one time captain of the Waitahuna Kifl.es, made his way to the War Office and obtained a pass to visit the fourth contingent's camp at For bury, and cur chairman (Mr Ellis) made straight for the cabstand, and engaged four large drags to convey us there and back. After dinner a move was made for the stieet, whore the drags were drawn ivp in front of the hotel. After each die had got seated, it was decided to start for St. Clair, and soon the four drags were sweGDixLEC us alone; past Dr Stuart's BRonument,

and on through South Dunedin, creating quite an imposing appearance; and, oh, the delight and pleasure we had after getting to the seaside, running along the beautiful, soft, cleaii sand, inhaling the fresh sea- breeze, wading in the blue ?alt water with our bare legs, and ' running m front of the waves which were chasing us to the shore. After spending a delightful hour there, which will not soon be forgotten, we again got into the drags, which were awaiting us, and in a very short time were set down right at the entrance leading into the seliders' camp, where we were kindly received by the sentry doing duty at the gate. Mr 1 Patrick then arranged vis in order, four deep, the boys in front, marching in grand style, with heads erect and firm, steady step, looking like part oi the fifth contingent coming into camp. After marching a short distance 1 we were allowed to disperse and have a look all round, and we did enjoy ourselves. The

men in camp are fine, jolly young fellows. "We 1 had ,<jreat fun with some of them. They inI viteel us to have a look at tlieir a»artiae3;ts, wanted some of the girls to go to South Africa with them, and told them that when they wanted dinner they had only to go outside the tent and whistle, and the sausages would come walking over to them. We a' so had the pleatiirs "of hearing the bugler calling the men to du'y, and of. z- eeing about 70, or more, of them put through their drill. They were then taken out of the camp on to the beach for more drill. We followed them to the entrance, bade goodbye to the sentry, got into our drags, and were whirled through the streets, and in a short time set down at Donaghy's Rope and Twine Factory. Ye were also very kindly received there by the manager and shown all over the works and thrcujjh the storehouse?, where great quantities of rope, "twine, etc., are kept, great 1 interest being taken in the rope-spinning maI chine. After thanking the manager for his kindness and attention, we again goi into -the . drags, this time to be driven back to the Leviatha.i ilo'.el. where a veiy nice tea awaited j us. Having a few minutes to spare, some of the boys and saris took a run through the town, and hid a look at the beautiful shops; some of the boys went inio a fruit shop and nearly bought them out. Getting near tram time, we all made our way to the railway static:!, and, with the kind assistance oi the stationmaster, Mr Ciombie, all got comfortably seated in cur c&iriages. Bell rai?g, whmle eomuTcd, and «U -1.20 p.m. we started homeward bound for Waitcihuna. The journey horn ! Lutiedin to ililton <3icl not seam long,, we had so much to talk about. Arrived at Milton at 7 p in., we got transferred safety into the Lawrence train, our old kind friend Mr Gibb seeing tliat eveiythmg was Tight. Then, in a short time, we starred for the remair-clei of our journey. Out merriment then increased mo c" and more. First of all we were regaled with trait by the committee, then the handker-ohicf-waving", ch^eiing, and singing were again iiiculged in. We had great fun with a cyclist, 1 whom the boys named Kiuger, who was try- ! ing to race the train between Cl-irksville and Glenore. He got gieat encouragement from ths boys, -w'ti were calling out to him. "Go it, Eau^er!" "*_ J ut a little more steam 021!" ! "What aboxu Long Tom?" etc. We arrived ' safely at Waitahuna, nothing happening to mar i our day's enjoyment, and I feel sure we shall all remember with very gieat pleasuie, for ! many years to come, .our most enjoyable trip I irom Waitahiu-a to Dunedin. j ONE OF THE PUPILS. I Wsiitahtma, February 26. ! [One oE the Pupils has given_ v.s a capital ! description o£ what was evidently a most ci- ' jojrable trip. It is not oiten that weather and 1 everything else seemed to be everything that ■ could be desired, but that was evidently the j case in this instance. — DOT.]

TO COKOKSPONDEXTS

SiuNA..— r lhe cticl was put alocg With these for Lamb aad JUto, aiid hence the delay in sending. You will have got it eie xliis. Ecokwoe:.!.— l really do not knov/ how it came about that the badee was not sent, dear. I have looked up my list, and I find your name is not ii it, so I have sent it, and hope it will reach you in patery.

Badges sent from Fcbitiaiy 26 to March. 5: — Lizzie Wi'sou, Jim Erow.i, Charlie, Bookworm, Beatrice, A.E.S., Lucille, A. Dav.-so:i,, Marie, M.1.N., La BeUe, Dsvia M'Call, Stella, EibbonwooJ, Agnes Abernethy,