OAMARU NEW YEAR'S DAY PICNIC.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 85

OAMARU NEW YEAR'S DAY PICNIC.

By Violet Rose.

New Year's morning dawned bright and fair, as promising a day as could be hoped for, and better than was expected. Most of the country D.L.F arrived in Oamaru before 11 a.m., and many were grouped on the station platform to welcome the arrivals by the first express from Duredm, among these being Sadie, Paparoa. Scribbler, Gramaphone, and D.T.K. The next move was towards the wharf to look out for a suitable spot whereat to hold the picnic. Heanng that the Taiawcra (the excursion steamer from Dunedin) was to come m at the old wharf, we decided to hold the picnic in the same place .s> last year, it being more convenient fcr water and wood. D.O.D. very obligingly boiled the billy, and in about 15 minutes we weie all enjoying the much-longed-for cup of tea Wo were chatting merrily, when the shrill whistle announced the approach of the steamer. Stoker D.O.D. scon got the billy once more bDiling, and tea was all ready -ioi our Dunedin comrades. At a little after 1 pm. the boat was berthed, and we had the p'easure of welcomir-g to Oamaru Mrs Crawford, TD A Mattie, Lady E3ler, Kippiehce, Harry, Stan. Ceres, Texas Jack. Cornish Indian Chief. Scobie. Awkward Ned, Captain Cook, Vance, etc . etc. Luncheon over, tho usual picnic games— twe-and-t^rees. fill up the gap, etc —as well as darcing, were indulged in, and matters went on humminglv till the 'call from the photographer was heard, aud a nice group was taken. Once again games and dances were indulged in, till about 3.30 The warning whistle broke the echoes. Going down on the wharf, we waved adieu to our Dunedin comrades in the boat, with the band play.ng and the flags waving in the breeze. Returning to tli9 picnic giounds, we got the billy on aga,m, while a game of ki<=s m the ring was started ■vrhich caused no end of amusement. Tea havinsr 1 <""ti nerved, we all made for the station to <atrli our several trains.

Iti (.oncliihi'jti v/f rommittee members with to thank ihe Xr.cA apd Dt^edin pnd other DL F. lor their <=fTortq to make this thud New Y«ar the smi'/pf* it was. Photos of the group a'e obl^mvb^e f»oni .Mr Mahou photographei Oi'liam, I^rioe 2s 3d. no«t free. VIOLET ROSE.

By llapp.y

Wednesday in Dunedin cWwrspd =iniiinily, as. together with so many other "early birds," we made our way down to the Taiawera. en route to Oamaru. Many were the opinions expressed as to the effect the special Oamaru train would have on the passerger list of the steamer, but judge of our surprise when we learned that ovct a thousand pa'feniri* ♦ ook advantage of the trip, amongst tliem being a considerable muster of D L F

Shortly after 8 a.m. the mooring lines wer<» ■unloosed, and. the steamer, swinging rrund the wharf, headed outward bound. Mnny w«re the admiring glances bestowed on ' Dunedin from the Bay."

I had been commissioned to work for my living that trip, my duty being to attend on

the saloon door. However, I had plenty of time to myself, and it ne\ei lmng heawly on my hands. (It never got a chance to ) By the time 1 had had a chat with each of my friends on board the gong sounded, and I had to go to my post ot duty. I c?>i honestly sa.y that I much enjoyed the tr^p The stewards weie a happy-go-lucky squad, lively as one could make them, and though with the crush they had not one minute's peace, they .=eemed quite in their elment. Backwards and forwards — forwards and back waids they trotted attending on the wants of each diner ; not o. n e moment were they allowed to stand still— in fact, they _ were lumung hither and thither from 3 o'clock m the morning till 9 at night. At times the crowd outside the door weie so pressing that they blocked the passage along which the stewards had to pass to the pantry, and then the fvin commenced — foe me. It was no use entreating "Gangway, please" — stronger terms had to be employed One steward, with both Lands full of plates loaded with viands, lose to the occasion by exclaiming, "Red 'of" which acted like a talisman, especially with regard to the ladies. No. 2. likewise laden, cleared the way with, "Hot grease , look out for your Sunday go-to-meetmgs, ladies and gents." Ar.d so forth and so on. The people piessed in in a steady stream. We passed the hghthoxue, the dwellers of the solitude waving us "bon voyage." Mackenzie's Cairn locmed up clear against the sky. Just near Oarraru — when I, with the steward", felt ss if I could drop— l went in myself and iefreshed the inner man.

As usual, fhe Oamaru wharf was black with people. When Star and I rose from our lunch I looked in vain fcr my "hard hitter." It had mysteiiousrly disappeared, and I had to borrow the chief stewaid's cap 1 i oider to appear at the picnic. Violet Rose has already sent in her account of the picnic, so there is little left for me to add. I was very glad to see once more so many of my old friends 111 Oamaiu piesent; also coruiades Paparoa and Scribbler from. West Ccast way, The Grainaphone from Kaitangata, and Sadie, Ceies, and Bolivar fiom South la id./

Some compiain of the shortness of out stay, but to my mind therein lies the charm of the picnic. I. have invariably noticed '11 all-day picnics a tendency to lag. and fo much alleged "fernhuntmg." Not x that I do not sympathise with such, but a time slnu'd be found outside a picnic to go on these little exploring expeditions. At a picnic one should sacrifice individuality altogether and be very young once more for the time being But when a picnic lasts only a limited number of hours things have not time to pall on the taste, and everything goes on with a rush and a swirl.

However, "revenir a nos nioutons," we indulged in all the old-time picnic games, which *eeiu never to grow stale. Fill th? gap and twos-and-threes followed in quick succession. The next time Igoto a picnic I think I shall have to take a doctor's certificate with me to the effect that I mustn't play. In this case I joined in every game, and Scribbler aud myself reckoned w« had our fair share of auiming about. Mr Mahan then announced that the time was opportune for taking cur photographs, and so that ordeal had to be passed through. That over, a set was got up, writh Texas Jack as music-ian-in-chief, ard pas c ed off veiy successfully. By the time it w?s over the warning whistle sounded, and we had regretfully to find our adieus. Esco-rted by the major poit.ou of oui Oamaru Mends, we in"'le our way down to the wharf, and the tide lose actually a foe t higher as we wrung the sad parting tears out of our handkerchiefs.

The homeward journey was uneventful Just as we were leaving the White Stone City the aeronaut lose in his balloon, and •>•" had a good view of him. The geng pounded aid again I steed at my po«t. Passing the well-known landmark*, the lighthouse at the Heads came into v ew. and towaids 9 p in. we were safely tied up to the wharf, here.

In conclusion I -wish to thank all out Oamaru friends for their kindly welcome an 1 generous treatment of us picnickers, especially those on the Picnic Committee, who vere so indefatigable in tlieir efforts to ma'to our stay so enjoyable, and to express the hope that we shall soon once more meet again. Kind regards to all, especially mv youns; fiiends.

P S.— l should like to exchange autos with fome of these I TDet at the Oamaru picnic. I shall be pleased to send mine in re turn.