THE WAITARA PICNIC.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XX, Issue 2045, 13 November 1872, Page 2

THE WAITARA PICNIC.

Monday — observed as a publio holiday in celebration of the birthday of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, which fell on the precoding Saturday — was all that could be desired by holiday-keepers in search of open air amusements. The day was uncommonly fine, even for this five season, — sunny, yet not sultry, and with just breeze enough to allow of travelling along dry roads without the disagreeable accompaniment of riding in one's own dust. It has been remarked of us that when we do make up our minds to leave our occupations for a day's outing, we do so thoroughly, and any one standing near the Henui toll-gate on Monday Trouirrßee"thaTTße"Tme- waa-vrw»» o _v served fully, as well as generally. The pionio at Waitara, besides appealing for our support, as being given in aid of the funds of the very pretty building whioh serves the twofold purpose of a school-bouse and place of worship, had the special attraction of the river,— the boats being at the service of visitors. On approaching Waitara, we found the township gay in flags, and long before three o'clock, the time fixed for refreshments, there must have boen 600 to 700 persons scattored along the banks of the river. The inside of the building was tastefully decorated with flowers and flags, and the tab\as literally loaded with the good things provided by the ladies of the district. The trays were taken by Mssdames D. Bayly, I. Bayly, Lawrence, T. Joll, Leedom, S. Rundle, W. Brookiag, and other ladies, whose attention to visitor* was unremitting. During the day, and as the tide made, covering the river from ban* to bank, the boats were crowded with visitors, and every precaution against accident taken by the Harbour Master (Mr. Cameron), whose selfimposed duty must have been very arduous. Many were by this time on the road homewards » though numbers remained bahind for moonlight nenerading on the river ; and it. is something to say of a large gathering of people from a distanoe, that the day passed without an accident or any unpleasantness. We understand that the' reoeipts, including the ipeoial collections made ou the Sunday, after the services held by Mr. B. Wells and Archdeicon Govett, reached the respectable figure of £32 14s. 9d. ; and it is proper to note that the whole of this goes to the building ; the refreshments, labour, and time given to the picnio being voluntary and gratuitous.