THE ANNUAL PIC-NIC OF ST. JOSEPH'S SCHOOL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 88, 2 January 1875, Page 8

THE ANNUAL PIC-NIC OF ST. JOSEPH'S SCHOOL.

++ This annual Catholio Pic-nicin connection with St. Joseph's School took place on St. Stephen's Day, and proved to be an unqualified success, and far beyond the most sanguine anticipations of the promoters. Through the courtesy of Mr McCracken, the fete was held at Green Island, in a paddock belonging to that gentleman, adjoining the railway, and admirably suited for the occasion j and no doubt the beauty of the locality had great influence on the large numbers who patronised the sports, numbering close on 5£,000 persons. The first train freighted with the pleasure-seekers started from Dunedin at 10.30, and even at that early hour, so great was the rush that twelve carriages were quickly filled, and at intervals of an hour during the day others were despatched. The new carriages, built after the American plan, which were those used, met with general commendation, and the arrangements made by the energetic station-master, Mr Batson, to meet every emergency, is deserving of the highest praise, as at no portion of the day was there the slightest hitch or inconvenience. His Lordship the Bishop, accompanied by the Rev. Fathers Higgins and Gle&sure Avere driven out in a carriage and pair," arriving at the grounds about two o'clock, when they were met by the Committee and conducted to a special marquee, where a cold collation was provided by the caterer to the sports, Mr Elliott, of G-eorge street. The day was everything that could be desired, and the rain which bad i alien on the previous day had a most beneficial effect on the turf, giving it a green and fresh appearance, and making it springy without being too soft to the feet. The grounds presented a most pleasing and picturesque aspect, little groups of pic-nickers "being scattered promiscuously about on the slope of the hill; while on the flat aunt-sallys, rifle-galleries, doodle-em-bucks, and a variety of other games inseparable from such gatherings had their representatives, which appeared to drive a thriving business j while ihe juvenile portion enjoyed themselves by skipping, swinging, and other kindred amusements. The arrangements of the day reflect the highest credit on the members of the Committee, and it must be most satisfactory to them to find that they have not only provided the children with an agreeable treat, but that their spirited effort has resulted in placing a respectable balance on the right side of the ledger. During the day every member of the day and Sunday schools, as also of the Contingent, who had been supplied ■with tickets for one shilling, were provided with buns, fruit, lemonade, or such other refreshment as the holder might <'lect. The programme of sports embraced foot-racing of various distances, jumping, throwing the heavy stone, a three-leg-ged race, and the competition for a prize awarded to the best sapper. The several events on the programme were very keenly contested, and the racing very fair, the very liberal prizes offered 1 >y the Committee bringing together a large number of well-known " peds." A pleasing feature in the day's business was the thorough tfood order which reigned, and the absence of those unpleasantnesses which are incidental to lai'ge gatherings. Perhaps the two items on the list which created the greatest amusement, and were watched with the greatest interest, would appear to some to be the most insignificent, but it is nevertheless a fact. The Three-legged l\'ace, for which there were a number of entries, elicited roars of laughter, the race for the second prize having to be run no less than three times in consequence of those engaged " catching 1 the judge's eye," in a huddled and confused mass. The throwing of the Heavy Stone was one of the most keenly contested events of the day, and although four toed the mark it was quite apparent i'roin the first that the prize would fall to the lot of either Hines or Power. Victory for a long time seemed within the grasp of either — every inch gained by one being sure to be lost on the next essay of his opponent — until it was finally arranged that the prizes allotted to the first and second should be equally divided, a -wise proceeding, as it was almost a matter of impossibility to know which should claim the palm. The prize of the " History of Ireland," offered to the best skipper, brought about thirty young girls as competitors into the ring, and possibly from the novelty of the contest, was witnessed with considerable interest. It was arranged that the three highest, or those who would continue to skip during the counting of the highest numbers, were to be selected, between whom the prize would lie j these were found to be Miss Elizabeth Gollar, Miss Margaret Sheedy, and Miss Minnie Dungan. In. the final struggle Miss Dungan was the first and continued during the counting of 260; Miss Gollar followed, and reached 185 ; but Miss Sheedy broke down on 156 being called. On the part of the latter, however, it was alleged that during the trial the rope had fouled, and although not protested against at the time, or the impediment was not sufficient to cause a stoppage, the highest competitor, and consequently the winner, willingly tendered another chance to Miss Sheedy. Fortune on the second occasion, however, was even more adverse than before, the number reached being but 110 ; Miss Dungan, therefore, became entitled to the prize. The following is the result of the different- events con tested : — Foot Race, 150 yards. Open to all comers. First prize, 40s ; second prize, 20 j third prize, 10s ; entry ss. Murdock ... ... ... ... 1 Eobertson ... ... ... ... 2 Murphy ... ... ... ... 3 Seven started. The Race was run in heats. Fortune declared in i'avor of the above. Foot Race, 150 yards. For boys under fourteen. Prize, a football ; entry, 6d. Lindsay ... ... ... ... 1 • Grater ... ... ... ... 2 Smith ... ... ... ... 3 For this creut eight competed.

Throwing the Hbavy Hammer. There -were four enterics for this event, but it quickly^ narrowed down to a struggle between two, and after repeated ties it was agreed between the parties to divide the first and second prizes— 2os and 10s respectively— to which, they had become entitled. P. Power ... ••] equal D.Hines ...j* 4 150 Yards' Eace in Heats. Open to members of Jtivenile Contingent only. First prize, suit of clothes to order ; second prize, hat. J. Heffeman ... ... ... ... 1 Sydney Smith ... ... ... ... 2 Eight entered, and the race was well contested throughout. 250 Yauds Race. Open to all comers. First prize, 50s ; second prize, 20s j third prize, 10s ; entry, ss. ■ ■ Bennett ... ... ... ... 1 Murdock ... ... ... ... 2 Donaldson ... ... ... ... 3 Nine started. Green Island Handicap, 440 yards. First prize, 60s j second prize, 30s j third prize, 10s; entry ss. Murdock ... ... ... ••• 1 Brooks ... ... ... ••• 3 Murphy ... ... ... ••• 3 I Four started. Boys' Three-Legged Eace, 50 yards. First prize, 7s 6d; second prize, 5s j third prize, 2s 6d; entry, 6d. Wilson and Cooper ... ... ... 1 Eossbotham and Hawkes ... ... 2 Grater and Nicholson ... ... » ... 3.- • This was the most amusing contest of the day, and the efforts made to "catch the judge's legs" were provocative of the greatest fun to every one but the gentleman operated on. Wilson and Cooper started away with a lead which they maintained throughout, until all danger was over, but out of the fourteen who competed twelve finished the race at the judge's feet, and as a consequence a second trial had to. take place for second and third prizes, with the above result. 150 Yards' Eace. First prize, a mat of sugar; second, a round of beef. Frear ... ... ... ••- 1 Murphy ... ... ... ••■ 2 Stanbrook ... ... ••• ••• 3 Foot Eace, 150 yards. For youths under 20. Lindsay ... ... ..• ••• 1 Grater ... — s Deinpsey ... ... ••• ••• 3 100 Yards' Eace. Open to members of the H.A.C.B.S, only. First prize, a side of bacon j second, 41b of tobacco. Bro. Fagan ... ... ... ••• *■ Bro. J. Toal 2 (Under protest). 250 Yards' Eace First prize, a box of tea ; second, a cheese. Murphy ... ... ... ••• 1 Brooks ... ... ... ••• 2 Frear ... ... ... ••• 3 Skipping Match for Girls xtnder 12. Prize, " History of Ireland." M. Dungan ... ... ... ••• 1 E.Gollar 2 M. Sheedy 3 Consolation Stakes. For all who had not won a race during the sports. First prize, pair of boots ; second, ham. • ■ ' ■ ""- • Stanbrook ... ... ... ■•• 1 Brooks ... ... ... •■• 2