ANNUAL RAILWAY PICNIC.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXX, Issue 8378, 20 February 1906, Page 7

ANNUAL RAILWAY PICNIC.

(From Our Cross , Creek Correspondent.)

The annual pic-nic of the railway employes of Cross' Creek was hold yesterday (Sunday) on a spacious and suitable ground belonging to Mr Huntley, dairy-fanner, who> in the most generous spirit, had placed it at the disposal of tho Committee, and had also given them valuable assistance in making preparations for the gathering. Unfortunately tho weather was very inclement, a high wind prevailing during tho greater part of the day, and drizzling rain to.yards the close of the afternoon. This, though it militated very much against the carrying out of the sports programmo had very little effect on tho attendance All the Creek world and his wife turned out and everybody was prepared to make the best of the existing conditions. Several railway-men and their friends from outside attended and wore heartily welcomed; but owing evidently to some misunderstanding, a number of outsiders (probably under the mistaken impression that the picnic was a public function) arrived early in the day. Several of these failed tocontrilute to the general enjoyment, and it was informally resolved by members of the Committee, that on future occasions only railway employes and their families shall be admitted, and the attendance of outsiders strictly confined to persons receiving written invitations.

In the course of the clay, Mr J. T. M. Hornsby, M.11.R. for Wairarapa (with his son, Mr D. M. Hornsby), paid a visit to his Creek constituents, and received from them a notable welcome. At the request of the Committee and by general desire, Mr Kirby (Chairman of the Picnic Committee) called upon the Member for a speech. By dint of a determined effort, Mr Hornsby was able to make himself heard in the high wind which was blowing. He congratulated the people upon the thoroughness witli which these functions were always cairied out by them, and deprecated the harsh criticism to which they had been subjected in the past. He reminded them of the emphatic declaration of Him who said " the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath." Mr Hornsby's remarks were greeted with hearty applause. Mr Kirby, in extending to' the visiting railway men and their friends a hearty welcome, said he desired, on behalf of the Committee, to state, emphatically, that the holding of the picnic on a Sunday was due to no want of reverence for sacred things, or of regard for the scruples of those who differed from them on the subject. The fact was that circumstances compelled them either to hold the picnic on a Sunday or not at all; and he pleaded for a broad and liberal interpretation of the Christian law on the subject, instead of an intolerant Sabbatarianism. (Applause).

An excellent programme of sports was carried out as well as possible under the circumstances, and the winners of events certainly had no reason to complain of the number or quality of the prizes. Indeed, without being invidious or overlooking the valuable services of all members of the Committee, I am justified in making specia.' mention of the efficient aid given by Messrs F. Lewin (lion, sec.) and Gamble, who were 4eputed to purchase fruit, toys, prizes, etc., and who certainly laid out the funds entrusted to them to excellent advantage. Mr and Mrs Robert Hope, with a crowd of willing assistants, carried out the details of the commissariat department to the evident satisfaction of everyone. The carrying out of the sports programme was somewhat impeded at first owing to the absence of Mr \Y. Hunter, who usually oilbiates in fine style as director of sports, but members of the Committee filled the breach in turn, and the events were as well carried out as could be in high wind. But for the adverse weather conditions, indeed the re-union ■would have been most enjoyable.

The Committee express the utmost appreciation of Mr Huntley's kindness in giving them Mi? use of his ground ; and also of the courtesy of Mr Tringham, of Pigeon Bush, who, some weeks ago, when it was intended to hold the picnic there, very kindly intimated that the Committee might have the use of his ground. Although it was found necessary to change the plans, all are thoroughly sensible of Mr Tringham's kindness.