D.L.F. PICNIC AT OUTRAM GLEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2692, 18 October 1905, Page 84

D.L.F. PICNIC AT OUTRAM GLEN.

Dear Dot, — I do not know how long it is since last I wrote to tlio page, but it seenia years. Of late I have often intended ten do so; but Ihinking was the length I reached until to-night, when I decided to write and tell yon of our picnic, which, was held at the Outram 3-len on Wednesday. I think all club members and readeih of tlie page were aware that we had arranged a D.L.F. picnic for. Labour Day, to b held at the Outram Glen, which is 'one of the mo-si charming spots for a day's cutinr; that we can find near Dunedin. Judging by the- mustei of L.F. at the station and by the numerous baskets and fruit bags, we had every prospect of a good day. The. weather— well, it was just a glorious morning, and much better than we, after Monday's rain, had anticipated. After some delay, on account of the first express coming to a standstill near the Caversham tunnel, we were soon all .settled m a carriage. I might here mention that some of our over-anxious members were almost seated in a carriage when they discovered they were in the Evansdale picnic 'train. This caused a good deal of bustling, not to mention laughter— for some of us rather enjoyed the joke. Our only regret on leaving Dunedin was that we were also leaving with it our "Old Writer" Laddie and Tomahawk, who were kind enough to coma down to- see us off. The former was unable to join U3 on account of unavoidable business, and the latter— well, Dot, do not be surprised if, when there is a prospect of another D.L.F. picnic, you hear of a body of little folk interviewing the editor and pleading a holiday for Tomahawk. Do you think that our editor would frown very much ?— for really it is quite probable. On reaching Mosgiel we were met by Harry and Vance, who had" biked out and were there awaiting us; but we were rather disappointed to see how very few of the Mosgiel L.F. intended to join the picnickers. It was close on 12 o'clock when we arrived at Outram, and without delay we proceeded to the Glen. The sun was very hot, and we were all quite ready for lunch when we o-ot there. .Carry and the other cyclists had chosen a sunny corner and had the billy boiling, so we soon had lunch. On connnenciß°we discovered that no one had brought milk" but Go Hon, who is always ready lor an emergency, put us out of that difficulty by riding on one of the bikes to the township for some. Whether he had difficulty in procuring it or not I cannot say ; it did not look •5 ' i5,Tr, er ' for very ?oon lle returned with a billyful of lovely fresh milk, such as can only be had m the country. Lunch was soon commenced in real earnest, and after we were all satisfied games were -freely indulged J™-,, c P layed "Twos and threes,'" "Clap," lull up ihe space," and "Disappointed," besides dancing on the green until we wer<* all too hot and tired to do so any longer. Fancy Dot, some of us were actually complaining of ttio heat; but had it rained, as it is now doing, we should have growled much more, tu 1 ' t l ii y We are never con tented. Some of the h.b . who wei-p too tired to continue playing spent the time gathering ferns, etc., while those too remained did their utmost to make the picnic enjoyable for all. I misrht make special mention of our president (Harry) and our genial vice-president, who were untiring in then- efforts to make the games attractive and keep them going. We were also ve.y grateful to Harry and the other boys who boiled the billy and the girls who poured out tea, etc. I'm sure "Reta and Lester wera ready for their lunch after their long ride from Milton. I heard Beta inquiring for a "hot pie": but Quago could not have known you would be there, eh, Reta? Our train was timed to leave Outram at 4.15 p.m. ; so, after having our phofcoa taken, we ha-d an early tea and made preparations for returning to the station. When the girls had found their own baskets and claimed their cups, etc., etc., we were again on the road — a group of about 35 L.F., some laden with ferns and greenery, all looking decidedly happy. Wo causht the train— though some of xis almost

failed in the attempt— and were soon at ITosgiel again. From Outrarn lo Mosgiel there was only the ordinary train, and many of us had to stand all the way. I wonder that on a holiday (especially when there is a D.L.F. picnic on board) there are not extra carriages put on. But at Mosgiel we obtained a picnic truck all to ourselves. How delighted we all were — for vhr>t is jollier than to travel in ?, cattle-track? Both coming and going our musical members entertained us with songs, etc., and on nearmg Dunedin you could hear snatches of "Should auld acquaintance" and "Home, sweet home." To the latter we proceeded after many gocd-byes, etc. I do not know how the cyclists fared, but otherwise we met with no mishaps — with this- exception, for I forgot to mention that one of our fair members had rather a na^ty experience: While standing too near the fire on which tho billy was boiling, in some way the lace of her blouse caught fire, and the wiiole of the lace was almost burnt before the many eager hands had time to extinguish the flames; but with the exepption of suigsd ej-c-bfows and hair scoichcd, cur member with the beaming smile escaped unhurt. What a, sad fate you escaped, jST. D. L. D. I think one and all of the picnickers enjoyed the day's outing. For myself, it was one of the most successful and sociable functions of the kind that I have been privileged to attend. The success is principally due 1o the energy of thosei who worked so" hard to make the gathering sociable and induce everyone to join in tha games. I might make special reference to Lady Dundas, Mignonette, Fifi, Harry, Go Hon and Didn't You Kner. We must also thank a.ll the Mornington L.F. for turning cut so well, and for the liberal vrny in which they contributed fruit and eatables. And now, in closing, I trust all thoso who intend going to "Milton on the 9th of next jnonth may have as good a "time as we had at Outram.—Youtg truly, C. C. M. P-S. — I wish to inform all those desirous of exchanging autos. with me that I will be pj eased to do so if they send them direct, but otherwise I have not time to do so— "C. C. M., No. 1 Duncan street, Dunedin."