A PIC-NIC, AND WHERE WE WENT.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2343, 3 April 1866, Page 5

A PIC-NIC, AND WHERE WE WENT.

[by a quiet observer.] I doubt not that there aro many inhabitants of this delightful City who aro glad to find that, at various seasons of tho year, something transpires which serves as an excuse for them to throw off the cares and trammels of office for a short time, and allow them to enter the Hats of enjoyment in a true spirit. Now, there are many ways of amusing oneself. There is cricket — a truly noble game, but one in which all cannot mingle, and those who do must sometimes bo affronted, when, after a mistake, they aro designated " butter-fingera," " stupid," or some other epithet. There are other out-door pastimes which attract the attention of many, but which mostly have a similar objection, i.e., the difficulty in embodying tho fair box in the game. Therefore, I say of all out-door pleasures commend me to the pic-nic where| mirth prevails, where good temper is the rule, and where everybody seems to try to outvie each other in making themselves agreeable. To such a party as this it was the fortunato lot of tho writer of this trifle to be present on Friday last. It appears that a number of gentlemen anxious to make the most of a holiday, and desirous of amusing themselves rationally, conceived the idea of issuing invitations for a pic-nic, a proceeding which did thorn infinite credit. I believe some trouble was experienced in selecting a sito for tho amusement, but finally a place was fixed on which must have delighted everybody — Donald's (Jardens, at Knrori. I mus6 hore pause for a moment to attempt to describe the beauties of this little paradise. It is situate about four miles from town, and is approached by a rather hilly road (the only objection I could find for the site). After traversing through a pretty lane, bounded on each side by a gorse hedge, the gardens, of which Mr. Donald is the proprietor, are arrived at j and such a place. The eye cannot rest on ono

\ spot of ground without observing that the hand of , an industrious and hardworking man has boon busy. Who could look at the well fenced and luxuriant paddocks, through which the visitors had to pass, without expressing congratulations for the owner ? "Who could traverse the wcllarranged paths and terraces, or mount tho natural Bteps cut in the hills without exclaiming, " the man who has laid this out deserves tho good wishes of all?" Who could look afc the beautiful Christmas i holly bushes so trim in appearance, so lavish in berries, without giving a thought of home ? Who could walk in tho beautiful elder or poplar avenue without being struck with wonder, how " things should be," and lastly, who could peep into the hothouse and see the dolieiously-tempting vine without wishing that it was not considered a crime to pick a lock or steal the fruit. I could not say too much in praise of Mr. Donald, for tho perfection ho has brought this place to. His motto must be, " a place for overything; everything in its place" — and well does he carry it out. On entering tho grounds your eye first catches splendid crops of green stuff, to feed I presume, the cows which give the luscious milk which is drunk in such quantities at entertainments such as I now writo of. Then come 9 a small kitchen " patch," with vegetables of all descriptions flourishing admirably. Then the lawn — with its artificial oval pond — a spot which must delight everyone ; and where, on the occasion of which I speak, all the fun was carried on. Then comes tho hothouse, and a little higher the dwellling of the much respected proprietor, where civility and Jkindness reign supreme, and where naught is thought a trouble to entertain vistors who may favor tho place witha call. After this you proceed to the orchard whore all kinds of fruit hang temptingly on over-laden trees, and tho mouth waters, and one is compelled to turn away iv regret because this is the last sight their eyes may feast on in the way of produce. As I said before, pic-nics are a sort of amusement which all can enjoy. Pater and materfamilias can go — old and young, staid and gay, all are welcome at such a gathering, for each can find amusements to suit their peculiar tastes, therefore I repeat, a pic-nic is par excellence the best of all out-door amusements. On Friday all sorts of games were entered into — racing, leaping, dancing, kiss-in-the-ring, and other innocent pleasures too numerous to particularise j but the greatest pleasure of all was the walk home. — [Mr. Editor, — I take objection — one of the fair sex is overlooking my writing — and declares the last expression false. I lea re it undecided. I cannot contradict.] The gentlemen who undertook the matter on Friday loft no stone unturned to inako the matter a success, and they wore, I am glad to say, repaid by the thanks of all present. The lunch was provided by Mr. Freeman, and did him great credit ; the tea was served by Mrs. Donald and daughters, who exerted themselves to their utmost to please tho merry guests. Everyone appeared to enter con amove into the fun, differences were forgotten, now friends made, old friendships more firmly cemented, and, shall I add, new loves contracted ; in fact nothing occurred to mar the happiness of one of the jolliest parties I have had the privilege of being present at. P.S. — I hope there will be another soon 5 and I hope I may bo invited.