PICNICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5805, 24 February 1897, Page 1

PICNICS.

The Normal School picnic will take place at Little River to-morrow, weather permitting. Shonld the day not be fine, the picnic will be postponed, and the school opened as usual. In that case the school bell will be rung at a quarter to eight a.ni. as an intimation to those concerned. Arrangements have been made for the sale of tickets for adults at the Kilinore Street entrance between six and seven o'clock this evening. After the latter hour the sale of tickets a.t the advertised price will close. The annual picnic of the Belfast district schools was held in the school grounds and the neighbouring paddock of Wingfield Park on Friday. Over 350 children sat down for lunch at noon. Races for prizes and games took up the time until three o'clock, when the girls gave an exhibition of swimming and diving in the school bath to a large assembly of ladies and girls. The boys then, before a considerable number of onlookers, went through several events, races and diving, for prizes. At half-past four 485 children were supplied with tea. Immediately after, over 300 adults, parents, and friends of the children were provided with refreshments. A baby show for prizes followed ; there were about forty entries, and they were judged in four classes. The judges were Mcsdames Englefield, Allen and Ferguson. The following is the prize list : — Under three months — Edward Clarence Harris 1, Lester Gregory 2. Under six months — Hugh Dawson 1, Jack Waites 2. Under twelve months — Lester George Ellis 1, George Warren 2 ; special, Lester Tomlinson. Under eighteen months — Bertram Richards 1, Doris Gregory 2. Much interest was occasioned by the closing sports of the evening 1 , consisting of an "Old Girls'" Eace find an "Old Boys'" Race. Mabel Nesbitt, by a very close finish, won the girls', and Robert M'Lean, after a dead heat with J. Histrop, won the boys' prize. There was a Married Women's Race, won by Mrs Griffith, and a Married Men's Race, Avon by Mr Nankivell. The picnic was the most enjoyable and most largely attended ever held at Belfast. About one thousand individuals were present during the day. Altogether about ,£lO worth of prizes were awarded in connection with the sports. The sports committee of the Islington Freezing Works employes' picnic, held a meeting on Wednesday night. The programme consists of seventeen events, including a Visitors' Race of 300 yds, the prizes for it. being, first £2, second <£1, third 10s. The other prizes consist of several very handsome trophies presented to the sports committee by Christchurch firms.