ST. PATRICK'S SCHOOL PICNIC, KUMARA,

New Zealand Tablet, Volume X, Issue 511, 26 January 1883, Page 11

ST. PATRICK'S SCHOOL PICNIC, KUMARA,

In accordance with the instructions of the Rev. Father Walshe, the children attending Sb. Patrick's School assembled at the grounds adjacent to St. Patrick's Church at half-past ten o'clock on the morning of New Year's Day to hold their annual picnic. The weather was delightfully propitious, and no douht tended, as such weather always does, to enhance the pleasures of the day's proceedings. After some pieces had been played by St. Patrick's School Fife and "rum Band, the children were formed into the order of procession, as follows : first, the Band (under the direction of Mr. Richards), then the Boys, in pairs, and the Girls also in pairs. They were marshalled by the Rev. Father Walshe, parish priest, Mr. Duggan, head teacher of St. Patrick's School, and the members of the Catholic Picnic committee. The procession, numbering 257 children, then marched, in the most orderly manner, along Tui, Main, and Seddon streets, ana returned by Fifth street to the grounds where they were served with a plentiful supply of sandwiches, buns, cake and tea. Ihe sports of the day then commenced. The following is a list of the chief events, for which valuable prizes were awarded, amounting in the aggregate to about £10 (including several handsome prizes given by the Rev. Father Walshe :— 100 yards Race, for Boys from 6 to 8 years old : T.Phelan ... ... ... i J.Phelan ... ... ... 2 J. Lowden ... ... ". 3 This was a well-contested race. The first prize proved to be a suit of clothes, presented by Mr. Carey, Manager at Messrs. Manson and Co.'s drapery establishment. 100 yards Race, for Boys from 8 to 10 years of age : B. Sheedy ... ... ... 1 J. Murphy ... " ■ ■ 2 P-Ryan .. ..*. '.'.'. 3 Grand Challenge Handicap, for Boys from 8 to 14 years : W.Morgan (Gieenstone) ... ... 1 F. O'Loughlan 2 T.Wilkinson ... ... ]" 3. This was a most exciting race. First prize, an alarm clock, valued at £1 2s 6d ; second prize, a pair of bats and cricket ball ; third prize, an album, valued at 15s. Grand Challenge Handicap, for Girls from 8 to 14 years: H. Griffin ... 1 H.Ryan ... "' 2 E. Murtha ... "' '."'. 3 First prize, a concertina 5 second, a lady's companion ; third, an Special Prize—A lady 's pair of satin slippers, beautifully worked (presented by Mr. Wall, bootmaker, Main street). H.Ryan ... 1 E. Murtha ... ..." "' 2 H. Griffin ... ... "".". 3 T. Wilkinson B^^W. '" ± P. Fitzsimons ... 2 J. Wilkinson ... ... .'.'. 3 Collar and Elbow Wrestling : The following, after throwing their opponents, were awarded prizes ;— J. Murtha, P. Fiizsimmons, F. White, J. Costello, P. Wilkinson, H. O'Flaherty, p. O'Loughlan, J. Lawrence. A second meal was served to the children at 3.30 p.m., theii number having by this time increased to about 300. The third meal was partaken of at 6 p. m., followed by a distribution of lollies, etc. A large number of parents and friends of the children visited the grounds during the day. A merry-go-round was fixed in the paddock, and the children enjoyed themselves immensely. Prior to the distribution of prizes Mr. P. Dungan addressed those present, directing his remarks chiefly to the children in congratulation upon the great success that had attended the picnic. He also thanked the Band for their very efficient assistance, and complimented Mr. Richards for the great results he had produced in so short a time.

After three cheers had been given for Rev. Father Walshe and three more for our late pastor, Rev. Father Devoy, the Rev. Bather walshe responded on behalf of the children, and this brought to a close one of the most successful picnics ever held in Kumara. The opportune arrival of eight nuns of St. Columbkille's Convent, Hokitika (who were en route to Greymouth), added materially to the success of the picnic. It was indeed a source of glaaness, especially to the adults, to see once again the bemign countenances of these devoted representatives of the illustrious Order of Mercy ; and the visit had a special attraction for the children, for among the nuns were Sister Mary Josephine and Sister Frances (Misses Ryan and Hannahan) who had been pupils of St Patrick's School, Kumara, but have recently embraced the religious state at St. Columbkille's Convent.'