THE PREMIER PICNIC.

Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 950, 13 March 1897, Page 16

THE PREMIER PICNIC.

Satubday last was a great day at Lake Takapuna, the occasion being the picnic to celebrate the fifty-third anniversary of the Auckland District of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity. People foregathered at the Lake from near and from far, thousands coming by watei\and hundreds by land, until there could not have been many less than ten thousand Oddfellows and their friends on the ground. Steamers came from Coromandel, Warkworth, Turanga . Creek, Howick and Panmure, as well as from town,, and were all crowded with pleasure seekers, besides which there were fifty or sixty yachts anchored in the bay. The arrangements were admirable, and reflected much credit upon the committee and the untiring secretaries, which latter were Messrs John McLeod and A. H. J. Rider. The Messrs Leydon, and Mr J. J. Holland, M.H.R., were also indefatigable workers for the success of the onting, while Father Walter McDonald was also present, and was conspicuous amongst the children during the day. It is unnecessary for us to publish the results of the races at the sports. These have already appeared in the daily papers. But we must say that the picnic was a great success, and a credit to all concerned in its management, while Mr Alex. Alison and the other officials of the Devonport Ferry Company deserve all the compliments we can pa,y them for the safe and expeditious conveyance of such an immense crowd of people to and from the picnic ground.