MILFORD LAGOON ASSOCIATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 7523, 4 January 1917, Page 3

MILFORD LAGOON ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL rICNLC. President, Ah’ G. AV. Amitagc ; coiranillee—Messrs •). Oliver, HU Grant, T. Groolish, W . M civile, Alii organ, \V. Luwlor, Jl. 'Phillips, |AI. Miluika, ■). I’ike, -I. Uickns, T* Old lick!, .1. didder, C. -1.. Bilton, C. Hammond, •l.Cunnard, W. Torcpc, AV. I’h'th, .lames Lookie, Jcssc> Freddy ; secretary, Air .las. Leekie.r assistant—secretary, Air W. Bawl or.

The annual picnic of the Milford .Lagoon Recreation Association took plan- on Tuesday, January ‘2, in fine weather. It was to have been held on (lie previous day, but at half-past 9 (/clock, when i.;fUn iwa s falling heavily/ and there appeared little prospect of abatement, the secretary, J. T.cckie, got, as many of the Executive together aS lie could, and it was decided to postpone the picnic until Tuesday. As if turned out, this decision was rather unfortunate, for before 12 o’clock the rain ceased, and the afternoon was fine, I hough cloudy. The result was 'hat several hundreds of people made Muir way to the Lagoon, only to' ho disappointed, as thorn was no provision made for their amusement or cm ’ertainment in the Way of roiicJv ments until late in the afternoon, whm some of the Red Cross ladies, having been informed of the condition f affairs, went down, boiled some ■vaier for tea, and opened‘the refreshment tents. Some of those present had come from as far distant as Geraldine and Woodbury. But they took their disappointment very goodhum ouredly, and some wore “sports enough to chive down again on the following day. However, the (man-

-m-mont acted as they thought best, and when they decided on postponement, there were very small prospects of a fine day. An attempt was' made to got into telephone coniAT-unicatiiou with the outlying districts, but as the day was a holiday, the attempt was futile. Op Tuesday the clerk o! the weather smiled benignly on the proceedings, and gaVo the, promoters a whole fine day. If anything the day was too bright and sunny, and this made the exertion of : even bolidaynakers—not to speak of the odicials, Red Cross ladies and other workers—rather arduous, and was very trying to the complexions of even the (more hardened. But the people (young and old) were out to enjoy themselves, and enjoy themselves they did to all appearance. Shortly after 10 o’clock Mr Jesse Preddy got away from, Tomuka with his road train loaded up with children, who were carried down, admitted to the grounds, had races provided for thorn, ml brought homo again, all for nothing. Truly it was a '“children’s day.” Messrs Eagle/ 31. Melville, Greclish, and Colville were in charge of the children’s train. Mr Smith got early to work with his motor lorry, and continued to run to and ho with derate fare. Motor cars were also passengers during the day at a moruiming nil day, and some of the pickuickers drove and cycled to the rendezvous. The attendance grew until there must have been fully 700 people on the ground, which was eminently satisfactory, Tjhe prograjnhno of amusements was a fairly large one, and after a start was made at between 12 and 1 o’clock, there were very few intervals when nothing was doing, notwithstanding that several swimming races could not lie held through lack of entrants. Swimmers should see that this does not happen next year. They should make up their minjda to make this part of the programme the most interesting. The racing and other events -were under the direction of Messrs Lookic and Lawlor, but they had plenty of willing assistants. There were plenty of entrants for the races, and all were out (o win, which made the events well worth seeing. The tug-of-war was interesting, as also was the shcaf-loss-ing, and the line or lead throwing (a

rather clangorous game in a crowd, drew a largo number competitors and quito {V host, of spectators. The ‘'roasting of a whole bullock” and a sack of potatoes by the the ‘Maoris in

.Native oven oi stones was a great success, and buglers of baskets of "'the delicacies testified to the good work of the cooks. There wore two companies of Maoris on the ground, both working for the good of the Maori soldiers. Mr Torepe’s team of 23 gave the first “poi.” This team was commanded by Mrs Piper and captained by Mrs Hera Tipana. This team later on gave some musical selections and a “haka” under the command of Mrs Piper. They attracted a crowd of t'poctators who loudly applauded. The other Maori Company was under iho

direction of Mrs J. Waaka, with Mrs X. Walker, secretary. These had a stall for the sale of fruits and mmmer drinks, etc-, and also a little side-show, where entertainments were given from time to time to delighted audiences. Altogether the Maoris untribufed very largely to the enjoyment and success of the day. As has become the practice lately, tins lud Cross ladies, under the presidency of Airs A spinal), took the responsibility of providing and dispensing the refreshments, and did the work •well. They had provided liljcrally—enough and to spare—and appetising refreshments were obtainable all clay for a very reasonable sum. Besides the at-

■ tampon tea marquee they ran a stall for the sale of fruits and s'ummer drinks, both departments being veil patronised. There was quite a largo number of Indies engaged in this labour of love, and they arc all to be commended tor their efforts. There wore a number of “sideshows,” including “Aunt Sally” (in charge of AI. Melvin and It. Colville), hoop-la (T.Oldlield), shooting gallery (IV. Nil'es), all o.f. wh-teh ''found'; , Ipatrous. Messrs IT. Phillips and G. Collins did good work at the gates, as did also • Messrs IV. Grant and J. Oliver in the boats. Messrs Hammond and Jas. Douglas’ motor boats wore run between the island and tho beach during the day, and were well patron; isod, this being - a form of enjoyment that appealed to many. A' sheepguessing competition, with a cake prepresented by Mr J. Anderson as a prize, was in charge of Messrs .Morgan and Grcolish. Tho sheep was presented by Air I). Grant, and in guesses and in bids at its sale brought in nearly 7to the good cause. .Mr' T • Saunders rendered good service in “keeping tho boiler boiling” a hot job- Three competitions, were got oil. One for Airs A. G. Watson’s splendid cake (commenced at the Boxing May Carnival) was won by Airs Kennedy. (There were 1372 peas in the bottle.) Another competition was for a well-framed oil painting. In this case there were 1121 peas in the bottle, and tire picture was won.. by Air D. Mclunoss, whoso guess was the nearest. Tho third [competition was guessing the live weight of the sheep presented by Air D. Grant, the prize being Mr J. Anderson’s cake. The cake was won by Air Alex. Bain, who put the live weight of the sheep at llGlb, tho actual weight being 1151 b. The president, ATr Artnilage, did very useful work in the office, and it can be truly. said that Air Leekic was indefatigible. Mo did not spare hijmsclf in any way, whether he was arranging the programme, directing the races or using his hands as a megaphone, lie did At with enthusiasm. Mo had a willing lot of helpers, whose names are given above, all anxious to do their best and keep things moving pleasantly, and all did excellent work. Just after the haka by Air Torope’s Company, Air Leckie gathered all the Maoqis into the ring, and expressed to them the thanks of the Association and the public for the way they had assisted in raising funds for patriotic purposes. ’They were delighted to have so manyof thorn with them that da} - , and he called on.the public to give 'them three hearty cheers. Those were given with a will, and the Maoris gave' a rousing reply of appreciation in tiie form of a haka, after which the girls sang “Keep the Home Mires Burning.” On behalf of the Association Air -Leckie wishes to thank all who assisted in making the picnic such a success. Among these are Messrs Clapper and Sheen, Guinness and LeCren, Alahan and Wcdlake, A. Gabilcs (per Air Knight), who contributed trophies for prizes (in addition to tho list already published). The list includes about every business man in the town. AlsoATr J. Brcddy who took the children to and from the picnic ip his traction train if and AFossrs Douglas (Timaru)' and [flam-* mond for the use of their motor boats.

The following are the approximate takings Gatos £2O 2s Cel, entries sheaf-tossing 10s, entries ir.«u’-s race 10s Gel, guessing! £1 ss, hoop-la 11s Id, Aunt Sally 10s lid, entries th rowing fishjMg lino 10s 11tl, motor boats (half takings) £2 .Is Oil, sale of sheep £4 IGs, Mr Prnddy’s traction train £l, Mr Torepc’s Maori Company £3 14s Bd, Mrs Wnaka’s Company, bfillock 'and gate £2 14s, sideshow £1 10s Old, Maori stall £2 2s 7d, refreshment stall £l3 IGs 2d, sweets stall £ll 10s, sale of hot water Ss, picture Us. Donations—o. .T. Talbot, M.P., Cl Is, J. Talbot £1 Is, Air R. Doakc £l, Mr G. IV. Armitage £2 2s, II rs a. Armitage £2 2a. To these amounts are to he adaed the takings at (he Picture Show on Monday nitrhl, C2O 17s fi d, bringing the gross results of the picnic to over C 95. The buyers of the sheep were John Chisholm £2, Alex. Bain 20s, Bert TTobhs and Harold IVarein’g each ,ss, Hy. Forward 2s, t-. Euzan. G.

Husband and P. Guimard each Is; H Phillips, final bid, 31b,

it should bo noted that Queen Doris’ candidature did not suffer by, (ho postponement of the picnic, the Executive sending in a cheque for LSO, The amount promised, before the" poll closed on Monday.

Following are details of the events : ‘ . CHILDREN'S RACES. Girls, under s—Rira Vordoa 1, Marjorie Andrews 2, Gissic Oliver 3. Girls, under B—Annie Oldfield 1, Pearlie Daily 2, Beattie Kay 3.

Girls, over 9 and under 10—Doris Kay 1, Julie Small 2, Wanilii Mihaka 3. - '

Consolation, girls under 10—Brenda Allfrey l, Lilly Allfrey 2, Myrtle Hooper 3.

Girls, over Jl2—M. Oliver 1, Bertha Cooper 2, E. Oliver 3. There wore 2(i entries for this race.

Girls' Three-legged Races—Ellen Oliver and Bertha Cooper 1, M. Oliver and M. Hooper 2. Maori Girls' Race, under 16 —Roalo Mamaru 1, Okeroa Tipone 2, Wanihi Mihaka 3.

Boys, under 5—G. Allfrey 1, M. hay 2. Boys, under B—Neil Brown 1, Wattle Huxford 2, Dannie Horgan 3. Boys, over 9 and under it) —C. Oliver J, Eric Martin 2, Ernest Chapman 3.

Boys’ Consolation, under 10 —Joe. Moulton 1, Tom Gaffaney 2, Victor Highet 3. Boys, over 12—T. Small 1, B. 'fowler 2, R. Lamb 3. Maori Boys’ Race, under 16— Frank Fowler 1,-Toby Anglim 2, ADULT RACES. Single Ladies Race, under 18—Miss If. Oldlield I, Miss E. Williams 2, Miss K. Bain 3. Twelve entries. Single Ladies’ 'Consolation--Miss A. Horgan 1, Miss C. Bain 2, Miss .X. Bain 3.

Married Ladies’ Race, prizes a box of tea and teapot—Mrs Burrows 1, Airs D. Morgan 2. There were only two prizes, and when the race was iuu Mrs Hodifjan I and MrK.Falsk*j tied for second place. The run-off resulted as above. '0 Red Cross Ladies’ Race—About six ladies competed. Mrs Janies Rider proved the winner, with s.lss ,C. Muxford second. Farmers’ Handicap; prizes, umbrella and pipe-—There were somiany entries in this event that the race had to be run in heats. The farmers put thei.iv best foot forward, and tho races were a ding-dong , go from start to fiaislh, the-finishes being close, hirst heat—J. Mills 1, J. Cunmird 2, V. WareSlg 3. Second tieul-f. Dodds 1, W., Friddle'2. M. Doyle J. Thirs heat —J. Johnston i, 1. Oldlicld 2, J. H. Friddle 3. Final heat—J. Gimnard 1, J. Mills 2, H. Boyle 3. Soldiers’ Race—W. Scrinigcour 1, T. Uunuard 2, W. Husband 3. About nine sinned. ibernugeour ran well, and won with over a yard to spare. t,.unuard and Husband almost made a dead heat of it for second place. Sheaf j-ossiug tdistancej—For this event there were 15 entries, and it lasted some time. The winner turned up in <J. Connell, who tossed the sheaf about 50 feet, J., Cunuard being second, and <J. Falslia third. j ug-o'i-war ; (J men. a side.—'This was a very popular event ‘ though ,it proved short. The tug was to be mrey minutes, but it did not last the time. The teams were as follows : Mr J. Ben’s team—J. Gunnurd, J , Raiska, 13. Boyle, J«. dohnstou, J, Dodds, and J ames Conned ; Ai r Leckie's team—W. Torepe,, J•. Fike, U'. Mihaka, T. Oldfield, Dan O'Keefe and T. Ragle. Mr James Rickus (was judge, la less than a minute after the tug commenced Beri’s team, begun to slowly draw in ±he rope. Ccckie’s team made a brave effort, but their opponents were not. to be denied, and' Beri’s team won amidst applause. Throwing the' Line. —J. Cunuard i, There were fully 20. entries, and the distance the line was thrown was about 120 feet.

Flat Bottom Boat Race, about half a mile—lvan .Oliver 1, G. Alartin 2, a. Clinch 3. There were four entries. Oliver soon got a commanding lead, and took no chances, coming in a winner by several boat lengths. The second and third men. were fairly close together at tho finish. BABY SHOW a. There, were two baby shows, one for babies under six months and one for babies under 12 months., Mrs W, G. Aspinall and Mrs F. Raymond very kindly undertook the important duties of judges. These events caused a great deal of interest. There were Jive entries in each event, and the judges had quite a hard task, expressing the opinion that all the entrants were ‘‘bteautiful babies.” Eventually the judges gave their decisions as follows : Under 0 months — Airs Leckie’s baby (5 months) 1, Mrs

F. Smith’s baby (1 month) 2. Under i‘2 months—illrs Tnuale s bacy 17 months) I. Mrs Thompson s buoy til months) 2. RuAoTiaG OF A WHOLE BULLOCK,

One of the most important events of the day was The roasting of a whole '■'bulloos:” by the Maoris. The ■‘bullock” was generously given by Mr S. MeCufly. The co o i£mg of such an amount of meat takes to Q long to complete the process 'in one day, so those at the picnic wore only able to see the taking of it out of the oven. The work was really, commenced on Friday night, at thd same time as the pakeha members of committee commenced operations for the sports. The “oven” was prepared by Messrs Torepc, Pike, Mihaka, Rickus, and N. Walker, Then on Sunday evening at G o’clock the fires wore started, and at 10 o’c-ook the same night the carcase was got into the oven. The cooks estimated it would be ready in 15 hours, i.e., at one o’clock on Monday,, but unfortunately the picnic was postponed, so the cooks had to open the oven at 2.30 on Monday, and keep it open until 4.30. The meat was them perfectly done, and was all that could be desired. However, it was not required until the following'- day, so the oven had to he again closed until 1 o’clock on When it was again opened some of the meat was somewhat over done, hut this was not the fault, of the cooks, who could not have done their work better. The chief cook was Mr H. Tereinga, and he had as assistants) Messrs W. Mihaka and J. Pike. The Maoris also baked a bag of new potatoes (presented by Messrs Williams and Dwyer) in the same wav as the bullock. These were done to a turn. The ovens were opened with- ceremony, at 1 o’clock on Tuesday. The carcase of the bullock was laid on » table and carved up, liberal portions being placed in littjle flax baskets; with some of the baked' potatoes and cold to all who would buy, and very soon all was disposed of, all agreeing that meat and potatoes “cooked Maori fashion” is very nice.