Bus Drivers’ Picnic

On Our Job, Issue 6, 1 February 1944, Page 1

Bus Drivers’ Picnic

ON Sunday, February 20, the day we have all looked forward to, duly • arrived. It was the bus drivers’ annual picnic. The weather was dull early, later turning out beautiful, with a warm sunny breeze. The picnic was held this year at Karori Park, these grounds being an ideal spot for a sports picnic. As is usual with the bus drivers’ picnics, it was an excellent success, being run splendidly by the committee, who were a hard-working lot. The programme was run’ to a time-table without any delays, and reflects the great organising ability of their secretary, George Langley, who carried out his duties so efficiently. Among the spectators were Mr. H. Dunn, Traffic Manager, Mr. Welch, Assistant General Manager, Mr. Liardet and Mr. Leah. The attendance was approximately 350 during the morning, but was greatly increased as the day went on, many arriving in the afternoon by cars and trams. Special trams left Seatoun, Island Bay and Miramar at 9 a.m., and

extra trams were needed when the crowd left the Park at 5.30’ p.m., all happy and contented with the thought that the bus drivers know how to put on a picnic. The children were well catered for with soft drinks, fruit, lollies, ice cream, etc. We will now endeavour to give you our comments on the principal events during the day:— Men’s 100 Yards “Open” Handicap.— This was won by Les. Elliott, off three yards, with Vin. Maher and Stan. Stott filling the other two places. It was a big field of 20 or more and many were squeezed back during the sprint home. Don. McLennan was looked upon as a likely winner, but had to give up after going about 70 yards as he could not come through the field. Ted. Adams showed a surprising dash of speed and looked like winning as he was in the . lead about 10 yards from the tape, but tripped and fell. Bus Drivers’ Wives, 50 yards. The winner was Mrs. Hodgkinson, and Mrs. S. Anderson was second. There were only five starters and all got away to a good start, being very even until the last five yards when Mrs. Hodgkinson showed superior speed to win by a yard. Lady Conductors’ Handicap.— race drew nine starters and was a good one, being won by Miss T. Bull off one yard, with Mrs. Prisk second, also off the same handicap, from Mrs. Robinson, who was on scratch. Miss Bull turned on a great dash over the last twenty yards to win well. 100 Yards Visitors’ Open Race.— This event resulted in a dead heat between Ted. Adams and Vin. Maher, with Allen King a close third. This race also drew a large field and it was anybody’s race until the last few yards, the judges being unable to separate Ted. and Vin. at the finish. Later, at the prize-giving, Mr. Dunn suggested that they should toss to see who would get first and second prizes, but Vin. Maher very sportingly told Mr. Dunn that he would like Ted. to have first prize, an action which met with very warm approval from the large crowd present. Adults’ Three-legged Race.— event was run in two heats; George Love and Miss Thorn were first from Les. Elliott and Mrs. Robinson in the first heat, and Len. Bull and Miss Atken were first from Clarrie Bennett and Mrs. Williams in the second heat. The final was won by Len. Bull and Miss Atken from Clarrie Bennett and Mrs. Williams. Special Challenge Race.— Remember the articles we have written concerning the superiority of either Bob Hayes or Harry Anderson over 50 yards. Well, at last these two “champions” met for the first time in a special challenge race and we owe our thanks to the Bus Driv-

ers' Committee for arranging this special event. Run in the morning, they got away to a perfect start. Neck and neck down the straight went the colts until the weight told on the bus drivers’ hope, and Bob, our Comforts Committee “certainty’’’ went on to win by a couple of lengths. Harry finished gamely, but with the whip applied could make no impression. It was a real good go and both these fine colts were blowing after the race. Previous to the start Bob was last in the birdcage, no doubt trying to keep his opponent on edge, or else he just had a shot of dope which kept him back, as he was right on his toes when paraded before the starter. 45 Years and Over Race.— Both Bob Hayes and Harry Anderson declined to start in this handicap, no doubt feeling the effects of the hard track which they had raced on earlier in the morning. This was a large field and once again it was anybody’s race over the last . bit. Bert Jessep was leading the field home when they bunched in on him, and he was seen to stumble and fall just short, of the tape. We had noticed a certain motorman and a conductor, a couple of our hard shots, close to him at this stage. Of course it may have been accidental, but then again it may have been that someone did not get an extra Sunday, recently. The ultimate winner was Ernie Bull, of Newtown night shift, by a head from W. Josephs. Men’s Sack Race. —This race was run in two heats. The first heat was won by D. McLennan from M. Head, and the second heat was won by Fulton from G. Langley. The final was won by Mick Head from Don McLennan. 75 Yards Ladies’ Open Handicap.— After a false start they went away evenly. It was a big field and it looked like Mrs. Jeffares winning, but she was just beaten by Mrs. Robinson, who put in a great dash down the sideline to snatch victory by inches. To us, standing behind the tape, it looked more like the start of a Maori haka, as all the ladies had their tongues hanging out. LADIES’ NAIL DRIVING.— Oh, boy, you should have seen some of those fancy shots the ladies employed; it would have made any carpenter green with envy. Miss Brown did a great job of driving the nail home with only four blows. She is indeed a worthy champion. Men’s Nail Driving Sweepstage.— This contest was organised on the grounds, and nails were sold readily for threepence each, the winner to take all. Trev. Storey collected the stake as his was a worthy effort, for with two mighty blows he sank the nail. Another candidate for the State Carpentry School? Ladies’ Sack Race. — This also was run in heats and the final was won by

Mrs. Jeffares from Miss Atken, Mrs. Jeffares giving an excellent exhibition. Men’s Relay Race.— Five teams lined up for this event, teams being picked on the ground, and all gave a very good display. Vin. Maher’s team was the winner and it shows we have some fine speedsters amongst our workmates. The winning team was as follows: Vin. Maher, Len. Bull, Allen King and Jim Parker. Ladies’ Relay Race.— The ladies decided, seeing there was no relay on the programme for them, they would like to give an exhibition, and runners were called for and volunteers were plentiful. It was a good race, the ladies doing 100 yards each, the winning team being Misses Williams, Piper, M. Hayes and Mrs. Christensen. 100 Yards Bus Drivers’ Dept. -Off to a good start, they were well bunched, and from the rear of the field Don. McLennan put in some good work to win from Mick Head and J. Ward. At the conclusion of the day’s activities Mr. Dunn, on presenting the prizes, paid tribute to the bus drivers for their splendid day. He said that speaking for himself and also for Mr. Welch, they were always prepared to give any support to these social functions which created such a friendly spirit among everyone, and they would like to see more such occasions. After the presentations, Mr. Welch drew the raffle for a beautiful iced cake, presented by two of our lady conductors, Mrs. Rayner and Miss Lola Edwards, to the Comforts Committee to raise funds for our boys overseas. These ladies are to be complimented on their action and for their work in coming to the picnic to sell raffle tickets for the cake. We have benefited to the extent of five guineas by their splendid action, and we thank them on behalf of all our boys overseas and at home. Also many thanks to the bus drivers who gave permission for the cake to be raffled, especially on their big day of the year, as it shows that even in the midst of a picnic you Loys away were not forgotten. Mr. Joe King, Treasurer, replied on behalf of the Comforts Committee and thanked the two ladies and all who had supported the raffle for their generous action.