RAILWAY PICNIC.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3380, 7 February 1879, Page 4

RAILWAY PICNIC.

The second picnic for the Railway employees took place at Southbrook yesterday. At about half-past 7 o'clock in the morning a. crowd o£ holiday-seekers might have been seen wending thoir way towards the Chrißtchurch Railway Station. Everyone seemed to be in excellent humour and evidently intent on making a day of it. At eight minutes past 8 a.m. thero were 15 carriages, 17 waggons, and fcwo break vans filled to overflowing, and a start was effected, two engines being attached to the train, driven by Mr W. Smith and Mr lloban. Mr Dickenson, fche locomotive foreman, acted as pilot. Mr Heaton was in charge of lhe train as guard. On the way up Addington had to be passed on account of the train being full, and several on the platform looked rather disappointed. On passing Biccarton, Papanui, Styx, and Belfast, tlio name sort of thing occurred, but all those waiting were informed that another train would follow und pick them up. Tho new bridge at Stewart's Gully was gaily decorated with flags by Mr Wilson's men, and at 8.52 a.m. Kaiapoi was reached, and the up train from Amberley crossed. A start was again effected at 9.15, and Southbrook was arrived at by 9.28 a.m. Every preparation had been mado for the comfort of those •who wero out for the day. A triumphal arch was greeted at the railway gates, with *'Welcomo" printed in large letters over the top. On proceeding to tho ground, which belonged to Mr Sansom, who had kindly lent it for the occasion, everything was laid out to tho best advantage. Thero was a large tent wherein Mr Roberts, of Raugiora, provided refreahmont. There was r. stage for the Christy's, with proscenium anil appliances, a shooting gallery under the cure of Mr H. C. West, and a variety of other sports and games suitable for the juveniles. Tho next train, consisting of 15 carriages and four waggons, arrived at 11 a.m. with tho southern people, thus making the total number of peoplo brought on the ground about 3400, After* 1 tho arrival of this train tho day was commenced in earnest, and under the superintendence of Mr Crosbie and Mr Bain as secretai-ieß, and the various committeemen, everything passed off with great auccesß. Mr Dickenson and Mr Rankin acted aB starters. Mr Ingram and Mr Colo took entries for races, and a good time thoy had of it. Mr M' Williams acted as judge ; Mr Pope took the quoits ; Mr Anderson the tossing of the caber, and Mr M'Kenzie the putting of the stone. Mrs Rankin and Nasholaki acted as judges for the girls' races. Mrs Dickenson, Mrs Smith, and Mrs Evans looked after the entries, Ac, for tho samo, while Mrs Crosbie, Mrs Bain, and Mrs Ockford attended to the tent where all the prizes wero exhibited, and saw to then* distribution. A costume cricket match formed a great source of amusement, tho various dresses being extremely ludicrous. But the groat feature of the meeting was the baby show, at which 56 wore exhibited, each receiving a prizo. The Bailway Band made its first appearance in public, and gave a vory creditable performance.

Tho following aro tho events : —

All Comebs— 22o yards ; first prizo, 10s ; second 20s; third, 10s ; 11 entries — J. Reed 1, R. Frame 2, A. Williams 3.

Blacksmiths— 22o yards ; first prize, 40s; second, 20s ; third, 10a ; lour entries. — G. Black 1, H. Harkin 2, S. Whitta 3.

Cabpentebs— 22o yards ; first prizo, 103 ; second, 20; third, 10s; 6 entries — J. Ryan 1, W. Petorsen 2, J. Komp 3.

Fittbbs— 22o yards ; first prize 40s ; aecond, 20s ; third, 10a ; four entries — E. JBfeßkins 1, W. Boag 2, J. M'Farlane 3.

Loco Running — 220 yards ; first prize, 40s ; second, 20s ; third, 10s ; firo entries — J. Andrew 1, H. Andrew 2, A. Bartrum 3.

Paintebs— 22o yards; first prize, 40s; aecond, 20s ; third, 10s ; four entries — W. Eaton 1, J. Smith 2, G. Bond 3.

Pekmanent Way— 22o yards ; first prize, 40s ; second, 20a ; third, 10s ; three entries — R. Hepburn 1, J. Brown 2, H. Peguaty 3.

Thai-tic.— 22o yards ; first prizo, 40s ; aecond, 20s; and third, 10s ; 6 entries — A. Williams, 1 ; R. Frame, 2 ; J. Gordon, 3.

Alt, Dbpaktments. — 220 yards ; first prize, 40s ; second, 20s ; and third, 10s ; 8 entries — R. Frame 1 ; E. Haskins, 2 ; W. M'rarlane, 3.

Men oveb 40 Yeaks. — 220 yards ; first prize, 40s ; second, 20s ; and third, 10s ; 5 entries — D. Orange, 1 j J. Heasman, 2 ; G. Bond, 3.

Walkino.— Halfrmilo ; first prizo 40s, second 20s, and third 10s; 5 entries — G. .Main, 1 ; W. A. Wood, 2• J. Gilmore, 3.

Rx-NMNu. — Boys under 14 ; 220 yards ; first prize 20a, second 10s, and third ss ; 13 entries— C. Nee $A. Ford, 2; W. Skinner, 3.

Boss under 14—440 yards ; first prize 20s, second 10a, and third Gs ; 7 onirics — A. Ford, 1 ; 0. Nee, 2 ; VV. Baker, 3.

Boys UNDER 14. — 880 yards ; first prizo 20s, second 10.->, and third *5s ; 4 entries— E. Norton, 1 ; J. lloban, 2 ; H. Merrin, 3.

Boys uxdkk 16—227 yards; first prize 20j, second Wi, and third ss ; 7 entries — G. Wells. 1 ; J. Atkinson, 2 ; A. Montague, 3.

Consolation Stakes. — Tfyc prize in this case was a vory handsome clock presented by Mr liruniiuttc, fche .watchmaker. Mr S. Counter was tbo fortunato winner.

Tub Committee's Race, for which there were four entries, was won by Mr M' Williams Mr Hankin second, Mr Ashley third, and Mr Lu*jO, fourth. Tlio first prize was a silver cup, and the second a trophy worth 20s.

Mv Nashelski's Prize, a beautiful silver -jus and cup, brought 16 on tho Geld. Tho inst, heat was won in the following order : — H. Freeman 1, J. Williams 2, J. Gordon 3. The .second heafc-r-H. Freeman 1, J. Gordon 2, J. WilliumsS. Third heat— H. Freeman 1, J- Gordon 2, J. Willianiß 3 ; Mr H. Freeman carrying oil tho handsomest prize of the meeting.

Alii A. 1). Smith's Pkize of a gold brooch hud four competitors, Mr Mazoy, from Lyttelton, being tho fortunate winner.

Tossikg tue Cabbu had four aspirants for fame. P. Creagh ' took tho first, and J. M'Ltggau fciie second prize. Tlio « hriotvs had a raice for a set of gold etuds, whioh wore won by' Mr Graham.

Baby Snow — First prize, silver cruet jtta^d, Mw T, Bynka -j aecond; a -silver ciip,

Mrs Harper ; third, a silver knife, fork and spoon, Mrs Armitage. Runnino— Girls under 15, 100 yd s; first prize, 20s ; second, 10b ; six entries. First, L. Kelly ; aecond, S. Porters.

Running— Girls under 20, 100 yd s; first prize, 20s ; second, 10s ; six entries. First, A. Willis ; second, M. Jeffrey. Married Women's Race— looyds ; first prize, 20s ; second, 10s ; ten entries. First, Mrs Shields ; second, Mrs Widgery.

Another married women's race of 100 yds had eight entries, and Mrs Shields again carried away the prize.

About 6 p.m. a start was made for the station, and after the carriages were filled and everything ready (Mr. Withham, the station master, arranging matters), the cry of " All aboard " was heard, and Southbrook was left at 7.10 p.m., and town reached in safety at 8.30 p.m., the train consisting of twenty- two carriages, seventeen waggons, two vans, and two engines. It may be mentioned that Mr W. S. Moorhouse, late Superintendent, presented the sum of £2 2s to the Committee for a prize which, it is hoped, will be run for at the next annual picnic of the railway employees.