WAITARA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144343, 6 March 1914, Page 3

WAITARA.

FHOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. March 6.—The invasion on one day of a multitude of children and adults approximating to SOO in number may bo regarded by larger towns as a matter ot little importance and requiring but little commest, but to a small town like Waitara the visit of the Ell ham School picnickers yesterday may quite excusably be regarded as an event in its usually quiet life. The special train conveying the visitors arrived about 9.30. and they were mot by a reception committee of townsmen, who welcomed the visitors and wished them a happy day. Tea had been provided at a charming spot on the banks of the river, such refreshment being always welcome after a long and tiling railway journo} - . After this many of tho visitors w r ero conveyed to the beach by motors and brakes, while others preferred to walk. Not all, however, as tho bowling and tennis clubs had teams in readiness to take those who were enthusiastic enough to tho respective grounds for a scratch match. Tho weather, when the train arrived, although line was threatening, but happily no rain fell. Tho sight was a pretty one for Waitara —or for any other place for that matter—hundreds of daintily dressed, happy and excited children eager for the unaccustomed joy to inlanders of a day on the beach, and suggested to one’s imagination, if at all lively, a scene from oboron. Tho visitors, of course, provided their own “tucker”; but tho townsmen subscribed to supply them with tea, lollies, and such like, while others sent a number of toys to be competed for in races on tho sand. 'Tho Freezing AVorks was naturally a place of interest and one of tho “sights,” and Messrs. Borthwick afforded those so disposed an opimrtimity of inspecting the works, which to many was of tho greatest interest, seeing, as they would, an example of one of tho principal factors in 'Taranaki’s prosperity. , When once the youngsters arrived on tho beach it was not many minutes before hundreds of bare foot were showing and paddling, castle building and other seaside joys being in full swing. There was a slight shower later which .stopped this sport and caused a rush 1 o the luncheon ground, and shortly l.ftcrwards they wended their way to tho station after a most pleasant day. Tho Eev. Mr. Deni, in a short speech on tho platform, expressed on behalf of tho I'lltham visitors their high appreciation of the efforts made by AV-ai-tara to make the day a pleasant one, and hoped that .some day Waitara would give Eltham an opportunity of reciprocating tho kindness shown to them.