THE SCHOOL EXCDBSION.

Timaru Herald, Volume LX, Issue 2496, 10 September 1897, Page 4

THE SCHOOL EXCDBSION.

» When the Hon. W. Hall-Jones was m 3 Timnru the other day he arranged with C the School Committee to allow the Go- <5 vernment steamer, Tutanekai, when she should call here for the big guns, to be c placed at the disposal of the Committees 0 for the purpose of giving the school children a trip on the briny. The steamer arrived yesterday morning, and T. m the afternoon there was a great muster of children on the wharf, " New Zealand E contingents " from the Main, South, Wainiataitai, and Marist Schools, from the second standard upwards and of ° both sexes, paraded under their respective head and assistant teachers. ;, At 2 o'clock precisely the gangways were hauled m for the start, and the Tutanekai steamed out of the mole heads a quarter of an hour later, her upper decks o from end to end presenting a racked mass "■ of juvenile hats, caps, and faces ; and s , still there was room for many more * The start was witnessed by a large crowd of people, whose remarks were divided . between " the prettiest model of a vessel that has ever been m Timaru," * and anticipations of the scenes of discomfort to be witnessed on board 1 before the vessel got back, and it < is painful to have to record that the t latter part of the division was very much k the largest, and was a source of con- i siderable amusement. There was little I need for any such imaginations, as though * a stiff breeze was blowing, and curling I the surface of the water there was no ' swell to speak of to cause any rolling. * The steamer presented a fine sight as she 1 turned round off the wharf, and an en- i terprising photographer was there to secure some permanent mementoes of the ] scene. Captain Clarkson accompanied the vessel as pilot and took her down to the wreck of the Elginshire, m the teeth ' of a southerly wind, so that the young ( voyageurs would have a minimum of : discomfort on such an afternoon. Had they had their trip m the morniner, when the air was calm and the sea smooth, they would have had a treat indeed. In any case they will have had a novel and memorable excursion. The weather im- ' proved after the steamer left, the wind dying away, and the trip became the more enjoyable. As the vessel was nearing port on the return journey, Mr Anthony Mills, J.P., and a member of the ; Timaru School Committee, called for "Three cheers for Captain Fairchild, the Hon. and Mrs Hall-Jones," and they were heartily given. On the motion of the boys cheers were given for the crew also. The steamer returned to the wharf at a quarter to 4 o'clock, and a good crowd had assembled to witness the return, and to point out that not all the cheap trippers were good sailors, as there was plenty of evidence of need for hosing the decks. Nevertheless the great majority appeared to have enjoyed themselves, and returned cheering lustily. The steamer was very much admired by all on board, and was unanimously voted an excellent sea boat. The elders roamed at will about her, and a good many found out " afternoon tea," and very much enjoyed it. The trip will, no doubt, long be remembered by the young folk, and credit for the complete success of it is m no small measure due to Mr Mills, who bo ably arranged if..