IDEAL FOR PICNICS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 383, 15 March 1937, Page 4

IDEAL FOR PICNICS.

KING EDWARD PARK. New Plymouth Visitors Delighted with Camp Site. It is well to remind a community of the value of its assets on every suitable occasion, even at the risk of a sneer from iconoclasts, if any, in our midst. On Saturday some hundreds of people came by special train to attend the New Plymouth watersiders’ picnic, which was held on the camp site in King Edward Park, and favoured by fine weather, the visitors had a very enjoyable time; in fact, many expressed the opinion that they were charmed with the site aud its advantages for an open-air gathering of the kind. A member of the executive of the watersiders made a special request to the Central Press to acknowledge through the columns ot the paper their pleasure and satisfaction in having held their third successive annual picnic at Stratford They had never regretted making the change in favour of Stratford, and he did not think another change would happen for years at least. The site was ideal, he continued. It required no improvement in the way of levelling, as had been suggested Was being contemplated, as that would destroy much of the charm of the place in sd far as visitors and_ picnickers were concerned. "What difference does' it make,” he said, enthusiastically, “if one cannot see the little ones as they run in the hollow on the northern side and climb the rise to the turn for the winning post? You have a splendid sports ground in Victoria Park, and 1 think it would be foolish, to say the least, to make any material change in the environment of the camp site.” Other members of the company also referred to the attention given to the picnickers by the caretaker (Mr. E. P. Blanchard) in providing hot water and generally in assisting to make the visit a success.

A lengthy sports programme was conducted by the .ommittee, and the various events wen keenly contested As donations to .ne value of nearly £3O had been received from wellwishers In New Plymouth, the prizes in several cases were well worth winning. For the watersiders’ handicap of 100 yards, the first prize was a challenge cup (to be won twice in succession or three times at intervals!, with miniature and order valued 10/6, and was won by E. Doyle. The 50 yards race for watersiders’ wives was

worth a bag of sugar to the winner (Mrs. J. Harris) and 51b ot tea tor the second prize. For the open handicap and visitors’ handicap the first prize was a guinea each, and other first prizes were valued at half-a-guinea each. The children wers catered for most liberally. National dancing competitions were held during the afternoon, Piper W. Walker supplying the music. Results were: Highland Fling.—-Under 10 years: Joan Gadd 1, N. Kendell 2. Under 12 years: Ix>rna Adamson 1, W. Marr 2. Under 15 years: D. Winmill 1, T. Cox Sword Dance.—Under 12 years: Lorna Adamson 1, W. Mouatt 2. Sailors’ Hornpipe.—Under 12 years: W. Marr 1, G. Mclntie 2, W. Mouat 3. Under 1’ years: P. Bloor 1, D. Winmill 2. Irish Jig.—Under 15 years: D. Winmill 1, P. Bloor 2. Seantruibhais.—Under 12 years: Loma Adamson 1, p. Mclntie 2. A unique cup presented by members of the ship Jevington Court for the winner of the Irish jig, was won by Miss Winmill.