Master Butchers' Picnic.

Observer, Volume XV, Issue 796, 31 March 1894, Page 17

Master Butchers' Picnic.

There is probably more good fellowship and good feeling amongst Auckland's master-butchers than amongst any other class of traders in this city, and this desirable state of things is fostered and enco'nraged by the master batchers' annual picnic, which is a separate and distinct one from the general butchers' pionic, at which master and man, ladies and children all assemble. The master butchers' picnic is always a jolly little affair. This year's wsb perhaps the best yet held. The party was only 30 strong, all told, some five-and twenty of these being master butchers. The scene of the fun was Motutapu. The trim little Nautilus conveyed the picnickers to this favourite spot. It left town in the forenoon with a cargo of master butchers and ' refreshments,' both liquid and solid, the best that money could buy, and plenty of them. Tom McKwin was the caterer and he did the thing properly. Three of the leading spirits aboard were Messrs Hellaby, Nolan, and Caverhill (Freezing Works.)

The Nautilus anchored off Motutapu after a capital run down. Here the shoregoing party, headed by the festive G. Lewis, said good-bye and departed in quest of the skipsome bunny. They made ample provision for bringing back a few hundreds of rabbits, these sports. Their subsequent adventures were very thrilling. They were chased by ostriches, and had it not been for a friendly post-and-rail fence up which they scrambled in a desperate hurry, it is probable that there would have been several master butchers short by this time. They presented a melancholy spectacle, these sportsmen, seated (with their legs well drawn up) on the top rail of the fence while the ostriches kept watch and ward over them. They might hare stopped there all night if a sledge conveying veniison had not come by. Mounted on this contrivance the dismayed butchers got away with their ' bag ' — consisting of four bunnies !

In the meantime the rest of the boys were having a good time fishing. Many of them had never held rod or line in their hands before, but they had some fun, you bet ! And the monotony of the proceedings was frequently enlivened by an amateur angler getting a hook in his finger or hooking his neighbour. The captain of the Nautilus always came to the rescue of the men with the hooked fingers. He brought a blnnt knife along and just hacked the hook out in a stolid and unconcerned way which Bhowed him to be an old hand at the game. Big hauls were made. Scores of aehnapper were ' butchered to make a butchers' holiday.' ' Dad ' Garrett's face as he pulled up his first fish was a study. Delight mingled with admiration of his own prowness and wonder as to how on earth he managed to do it were all working together in 'Dad's speaking countenance. He had never hooked anything before — except his finger. The anglers were divided into little parties of two and three, and it was a toss up whether Middlebrook'B party or Eaynes' party caught most. By-and-bye the Nautilus steamed off to Emu Bay, where Mr Jas. Reid, ever ready to welcome his visitors, was on the jetty waiting. The whole party landed and went over the farm. Mr Russell (the poultry fancier and expert of the party) pronounced Mr Reid's birds the finest he had ever seen. Some of these cost as much as .£9 a head landed here. After a ' wee hughie ' at Mr Reid's residence the party went back to the Nantilus accompanied by Mr Reid and a social evening was spent on board. The Nautilus returned to town about 10.30. So ended a very jolly outing indeed.

Auckland Sestet Club announces its first concert (wind instrument chamber music) for Friday, 30th inst., at City Hall. The members are all thorough musicians, as a glance at the names in the announcement in another column will show. They will be assisted on this occasion by some of the very best talent in 'musical Auckland.'

Auckland Orchestral Uoiou announces its first concert of the season for Thursday, April 26th. Season tickets (with right of reserving seats for season) now on sale at Messrs A. Eady and Oo.'s, Queen-street A season ticket for the Union's most enjoyable concerts is good value for money. You can't make a better investment.

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