THE PEOPLE.

Southland Times, Issue 14512, 13 December 1900, Page 2

THE PEOPLE.

It would be easy to "brag the world " to produce such an assemblage of wholesome, healthy, well-attired, and orderly men and women an was gathered on the Queen's Park yesterday. The guardians of the peace bid nothing to do hut look on, for, although there wasi plen ty of liquid refreshment in the enclosure and ne&v by, only one roan did wo see who had taken too much, and he was still able to take care of himself. And it was not becausa the people were not thirsty— tudeed the stock of " colonial " had run out before the afternoon was tar advanced — but it was a self-reapecting crowd that needed no stimulant nut the glorious sunsJiine and refreshing breeze from the Straits. One thing that advocates of strict temperance — or the Association — might make a note of was the difficulty people had in getting water to * drink on such a day. Water there was in plenty, but few drinking vessels, and thtse mostly attached to cattle troughs, round which tho ground was sodden by the tramping of thirsty orowds striviug for possession of the enuunellod jus. This was especially hard on c hildron and ladies. Perhaps, when another eliow conies round something more comfortable will l>e provided. A great centre of attraction was the sbacid of the Garrison Baud, whp made their first appearance under khaki slouch hats of taking shape, and dispensed music liberally during the afternoon to delighted and admiring listeners. Altogether it was a great day : everything combined to make it so. The Association had done much to make man and beast mprfl comfortable tbftD in the past, bat notf w much as they would probably do. if aasuied that the vandaltt would leave the' fixture? alone tbu year round ; while, so far as iße convenience and ease of visitors was concerned tho really excellent and foil service of drags, splendidly horsed, suppled by the Messrs Jopp, was almost a new departure for which hundreds were truly thankful. , The day's ordinary and special prize lijta were as follows : —