PICNIC AT TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 10182, 20 December 1927, Page 4

PICNIC AT TEMUKA.

WOODLANDS STREET (TIMARU) METHODIST S.S.

On Saturday,, the annual picnic of the Woodlands street Methodist Sunday School (Timaru) was held at Temuka. About 230 adults and children took part in the outing. On the arrival of their train at Tepruka, the picnickers were met and welcomed by the Mayor (Mr T. E. Gunnion). It had been intended to hold the picnic in the Domain, but the weather proved wet, and made it undesirable to do so. Under these circumstances, the Mayor very thoughtfully got into communication with Captain Cooper, Defence Department, Timaru, who kindly : gave permission to hold the. picnic in the Drill Hall; The large hall was just what was wanted on such an occasion, providing plenty of ioom for play .and games, and there the visitors spent a happy day. Milk, coal, and wood were supplied by Temuka citizens. About half-past four o’clock, the iMayor and Mayoress and the Deputy Mayor (Councillor A. H. Fenn) were entertained to afternoon tea, land this being over, the Rev. P. J. fcooke, pastor of ithe Woodlands St. [ Church, who with the Sunday School superintendent (Mr L. Shortus) and teachers, was in charge of the party, made a few remarks. They had spent a happy day among their Temuka friends, and all appreciated the great kindness that had been shown to them under the untoward circumstances that had arisen. He thanked the Mayor and other friends for their kindness, which had enabled them to spend a happy day, and expressed the hope that, should the Mayor and Mayoress with a Temuka picnic visit Caroline Bay, they would be well treated. In conclusion, he called for three hearty cheers for the Mayor, Mayoress and Temuka friends. These having been given, Mr Cook called on the smallest little girl with the party to come forward and make a presentation; and a tiny tot made her way to the Mayoress, and presented her with a large- box of chocolates. This thoughtful little action was acknowledged/ by the Mayoress in a suitable manner, amidst much applause. In, replying, the Mayor said in welcoming them to Temuka and trying to make them comfortable, he had only done his duty. He had seen that,- the Park would be too wet for the picnic, and, thanks to the kindness of Captain Cooper, they had had the use of the hall. He was pleased to know they had had a good day. He then proceeded to give the children a few words of good advice, telling them that they should obey their teachers and parents, and ,do all they could to make themselves good men and women. In a few years they would be grown up and have to go out into the world and work, and they should do their best to fit themselves for this, as they would have many difficulties to face> and overcome. After again advising the children, to heed the advice of their teachers and parents, and especially their mothers, he thanked Rev. Cooke for the invitation to partake of afternoon tea with them, and then handed a tin of sweets to the little girl who had made the -presentation to the Mayoress, telling her it was for the children. The Deputy-Mayor made a few remarks suitable to the occasion* and the singing of “For They are Jolly Good Fellows” by the visitors brought the proceeding's to a close. The party left for home shortly after 6 p.m.