EASTER PICNICS

Otago Witness, Issue 2719, 25 April 1906, Page 81

EASTER PICNICS

D.L.F. PICNIC" AT OAMABtT. "Dear Dot, — As I have been selected lo writ? ♦he report of the picnic, I shall endeavour to «Ie so to the best of my ability; but i v.ouiri far, rather the choice had fallen to an abler pen ikan/xnine, as I am afraid I caunot write a " good', enough report. - I ■ - Giulia's' niece and I got into the train J Tokaiabi, which, luckily for us, "was a bit J late, stisd we met Hilda and Ed. At Windsor j , -wet^icted -tip. Chloe. and on our arrival at ■ Osinaru we were met at the" station by a ! - large number of L.F. who had arrived by J earlier trains. •In about 10 minutes the ex- i press arrived, bringing C- A. (from WaiJkou.aiti), and Go Hon. Didn't You Knew, Tomahawk, Laddie, and Grape Nuts iwith his kodak and mouth organ) from Dunevf.n. After & short delay at the station we made off for the Gardens, to find on our arrival there that no one had a billy, no one had milk, and no j one had sugar. We were properly in "queer I street." As I sadd in my last picnic notice, this baing" such a scattered district, it is •impossible to form a committee. Still, if the Xi.Fl, who live in or near Oamnru would exert " themselves, or if " these who promised to Taxing stffizigs -could Ireep t&eir trord, tbeee annoyances would have been prevented. It is little- wonder that Go Hon asked a- girl "by way of a. joke if -she took Dunedin ites to "b© "mugs." However, with the willing assistonce" of Indian Queen, "M. E. E. I. T., and one or » two others whose noms de plume I ihave forgotten, we managed to get the necessary articles, and enjoyed a very good lunch, in the middle of which Lady Stair came swooping down on vs — a great surprise to all «s we heard she was unable to attend. After lunch a few of us took "French Iwive" of Lady Stair's bike -and had a spin," whilst the others -indulged -in a lively .game of "forfeits"— it falling to Go Hon' a lot to sing a sbn{£ and he fl'ang, "I've had a good day to-Say," in his usual good style. We then sought out a nice -flat' place,. where we had 8- few jolly games of '"twos and threes," "grab," 'and "kiss-in-the-ring."' During the last-named game' Grapo ifuts took a very good snapshot. (Send' it to. the Witness, G. N.) Being a little - tired -~of~ playing, a couple of ua^took a &troll around -the Gardens,- and. when we came back -ithe first set of quadrilles was in full swing, excellent music being supplied by Grape Nuts on the" mouth organ. Then the question arose about getting the group taken. We heard thai the photographer said he would not -take. Vu j?hotos again/jig ss Jew. tpofc spsiss., fit AS&

New Year picnic group, and Oamaru can only boast one studio. However, the D.L.F. always find a way out of a. difficulty, don't they, Dot? I got a pencil and a piece of paper and went , round to see how many copies could be sold. I got a guarantee of 22, and, after having tea, Golden Prince and I went down to see if we could induce Mr Mahan to take the group once more, on the understanding that he would sell more this time, as we had the promise of 22 already. After a little coaxing, he decided to tak© it— and risk breaking the glass. Then the fun commenced— the packing. We were packed like sardines in a tin, and after a great deal of laughter, etc., the group was eventually "snapped," much to the relief of the photographer, for hard work is not easy, you know, especially when a D.Ii.F. group are getting their photos taken. Tomahawk took a list of the names, and will send a copy to the Witness all in good time. I do not know the exact number in the group — over 30, I should think. A great many left the picnic early in the afternoon, and therefore missed getting their photo taken. I daresay between 40 and 50 turned up during the day, hailing from Dunedin, Waikouaiti, Timaru, Kurow, Waikouaiti, Duntroon, Windsor, Maheno, Georgetown, Weston, and other townships, about the district, besides a great many Oamaru L.F. I could not really give j'ou a list of those present, for it would mean encroaching too much on your valuable space. One or two thought the picnic, a bit 6low-, but I t sincerely hope that everyone enjoyed i themselves. . I hardly think they could do "otherwise when Go Hon and col -were at the head o"f- the- games. I am sorry there was a delaj- In getting started, but at the next picnic I . have>\- anything ,to do with- -I hope " the LiF-.'who promise to help will stand by their . word; '; - ' On.! "behalf- of the picnic party I wish to thank all who assisted us in any. way. _The photos are . obtainable , from Mr R._ Mahan, Thames, "street, Oamaru ; price 2s per copy. I daresay they will be ready in about three .weeks', time.* • Anyone desiring a copy of the "New Year "group can still get the same by sending 2s to the same address. Those who want me to get them photos, please send your order as soon as possible. When writing to Mr .Mahan fpr copies, please enclose your norn de plume as well as your name. !Now, dear Dot and L.F., I think this is all I can say about the picnic — hoping everyone arrived hoine'-saielyj arid that.it will not be long' before we have another day together. Please send autos all those who got mine, also anyone who wants mine. " With best love to all, from your old chum, GIULIA. . P.S.— Oh, D.L.F., why do you call me Goolyali instead of, Gi-u-lia. My address is "Miss B. M'Cann, Tokarahi P. 0." -- "■ THE PICNIC AT MILTON. j Dear Dot,— A thousand pardons for intrud- i ing on your precious space, but I have given i my promise to write an account of our picnic j on Good Friday, and so must keep it. This much I will cay, "I will be brief — yea, very brief.".-- Our picnic, dear little folk, was not a large one, there being just about 20 or 21 all told at it Yet we managed to have a jiice cosy time together; and King Sol was kind, so kind, to us, for he smiled on us graciously, -beamingly, the whole long bright' • day.-- Of course, the 'billy was boiled, and the tea was made, and drunk, too, and the sand- ] wiches' and cakes and fruit were eaten, as at " al', -other picnics. Games were played and jokes were cracked, but not broken, and puns were jmade,%and laughter was.laughed, arid we were '"all so - glad to have- our old comrade l . Laddie with- us, and his liveliness helped to keep us aU lively.' "lt, would be hard for me to enlarge 6a all the* trifling and amusing inci,dents 1 which, happened- on Good Friday, and which altogether helped us to enjoy the picnic i and otirs~elves. It would be hard for me to ! say just how very genial Beta was, and how smoothly Vaizaleen made things run. nor how pretty A Woodland Lassie looked in the •woods, or describe the beauty of a certain blooming Cornflower, and epa-ce forbids- me from telling of how Laddie went some yards out of the beaten track to embrace an old horse, just " for old times' sake," or de- i scribing the nimbleness and agility of Didn't You Knew when he scaled the willow tree and discovered the last will and testament of our loyal old Harry. And perhaps it would be useless for me to attempt to say how very much honoured we were at having the Duchess of Kent ancl Lady Caudle with us, and how we all believed in fairies for one day at least, for a very nice fairy called Denise was with us. And not one of us grudged the president his 40 winks under the coats, for his disappointment was keen over the absence of cream puffs. We'll remember I next time, Ned. And Love In a Mist was ■ very welcome, even though she forgot her bag of jokes. Were you in a mist, love? Then we were all amused and entertained by the way Go Hon went (h)on. Pardon! He is quite as genial as of old. Nor must I forget to mention that there was a large specimen of hawk called a Tomahawk hovering around oui picnic ground. And — but perhaps Qit ago will tell how good-natured Laddie was when it was discovered that Cornflower had, by mistake, used his hat for a serviette. Of course, Lester was there, with his little black witch box, in , which he carried us (I mean our pictures) [ away. I hope the photo will develop well, j and that — er. no mistake will be made. I . must thank Laddie and Didn't You Knew for i boiling the billy — at least, the water in it, for j Laddie says it is always. the water tnat boils, i And I sincerely hope t&~at after this he will ! beware of fire and not get scorched again, j I must etop writing nonsense, and leave a little for Quag© to tell. So with love to all who were at the picnic, I remain, ever your sincere comrade, JESSICA.

MJDDLEMARCH PICNIC. Dear Dot, — My spirits rose high as the morning of lie 16th advanced. On the arrival of the Oniakau train I was greeted by Indian Chief, who waxed eloquent over the weather. At Waipiata Derby joined us, and our party then numbered three. It remained thus until ire reached Middlemarcli, where we espied a nice picnic party, inclusive of Haryr and Jeannie Deans, both of whom were heartily welcomed. Cheerfully we made for the picnic ground, and when about halfway we experienced a shock from the hearty handshake of our Texas friend. Although Texas Jack was unable to be present, he had come to wish us success, and to him we owe thanks, both lor his thoughtfulness and for the music supplied. Arrived at the picnic ground, we were coon doing justice to the good things provided. Games were then indulged in, and greatly enjcyed by all. The delightful day, the lovely spot chosen for the occasion, the sociability cf all present, brought smiles to every face and joy to every heart. Net a cloud marred the brightness of the day, and not a frown dimmed the brilliance of our comrades' faces. I am sure our party was the happiest in Otago Central that day. Indian Chief, in his gentle, cheery way, commanded us to prepare for the appearance ,of his "box of tricks," and accordingly we chose an ideal spot. Over a creek fringed with trees and shrubs was a wooden bridge, and thither we went. Our party looked delightful, seated on the Dridge, witn the clear water below, and the golden leaves of the willows bent lovingly towards .their heads. A rural scene indeed, and one and all jKfiK &15%8&.i- Qbi sojOHstles, Uttle a.«.x««

guess -what a treat you miss by refraining from Middlemarca. The place has many attractions. Its bea-utiful buildings, its lovely grounds, and splendid paddocks make it pleasant indeed. It is an ideal spot for a picnic, and those who visit it return again. Let us hope that in future more L.F. may make their appearance. The picnics are now conducted by. an able and energetic committee, and ail visitors receive a hearty welcome. But to return. At 3 p.m. our Dunedin comrades announced their intention to depart, so we carefully gathered our belongings and made for the station. "We were sorry indeed to part, and hope we shall meet again at the annual picnic. The remainder of us made our way to the show, where we encountered quite a host of li.p. Here, too, an enjoyable time was spent, and many were the regrets when 5 o'clock was announced. Before closing, I desire to thank all those who contributed to the success of the picnic, especially Joe, who is a most energetic member. I can express our comrade's feelings in these words, "We've had a good day to-day," and close once again. — Yours truly, A MOTHEE'S LASS, Secretary.