MASON'S FLAT SCHOOL PICNIC.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18239, 25 November 1924, Page 10

MASON'S FLAT SCHOOL PICNIC.

TO THB EDITOR 03f "THE PBBSS." Sir,—Kindly permit me to reply to-a letter in your issue of to-day, under the nom-de-plume of "Old Pupil."'l am not surprised that your correspondent was ashamed to sign her (or jiis) narao, to such misrepresentations, of facts. Ab regards the present short-sighted! committee, I will pass that matter over, trusting, that, long-sighted "Old Pupil" will come along and join the School Committee at the next general electioE. Regarding going to the. same paddock every year, I must tell old pupil, ( if she (or he) does not already know,.that last year the children were givten a vote on their choice of picnic ground's (a trip by train, or to "Macdoniald Downs"}, the result of voting being practically unanimously in favour or the latter plac.e, where the picnic , was ultimately Tield, for the first time in the history, of Mason's Flat. The'fact that the committee had decided to hold the annual picnic there again on Docember sth of this year, by request of both children. and parents, speaks for itself. The children will be taken there, a distance of ten miles, in the same conveyance as last year, ,viz., a wool waggon and six horses engaged by the committee for that purpose. Parents and adult friends are requested, as before, to make their own arrangements, the committee, finding refreshments for all. (Perhaps it will be' possible to arrange for an aeroplane for "Old Pupil"). In fairness to our hospitable .host and hostess, Mr and Mrs G. L. Rutherford, I feel it .my duty as chairman of the School Committee, to. explain the misleading statements In . Old Pupil's" letter. In conclusion, I would suggest to "Old Pupil" that_if she (or he) has a grievance, to air the same at the local householders', meeting, before rushing into print. With this, explanation, my correspondence closes on the above matter. —lours, 6tC '' D. MORRIS, Chairman. On behalf of Committee of Mason s Flat School. November 23rd. •

TO THE EDITOR OP "THE PRESS." Sir,—On - reading my paper : this mornin<r I' was both surprised l ana sorry to read of a grievance from an "Old Pupil" in regard to the Mason Flat School picnic. The writer dis•i.nproves of the annual picnic bem, S in the same -paltry f«ard. I might say, being present at the picnic last year, that the P«l tr y far ™" vard" referred to is one of the most beautiful and suitable placet, to be found in North Canterbury .and an idteal spot for a school picnic Ihe ''paltry farmyard" consists of lavns, a tennis court, lakes, .and swimming ha.ths, the grounds l)eing most beautifully laid out i n shrubberies, flowers and trees, and the hospitality of the hosts was all that could be wished for. Not only did they open their grounds to the public but their magnificent home as well. I in, 110 < r 0 ?: nected 1 with the school, but I teel it mv duty, in justice to the grounds refered to, and I.feel■ tha •If for an apology froni Pupil ' especially as the school children 'were given the chance of to Christehurch for tbcir had the choice of four platM, 1 "jj church included, and by er> : majority they voted for tl e P farmyard," where they enjo>ed them Sel immensely.. and some of them returned home a good deal nicre finaiiS as the result of tbe generosity o* the hosts, who also provided ° n ® j! , dred and fifty (150) oranges a MipplJ" of bananas and lemon drinks, }1 offered their grounds to the t>Ja. oi Committee for sim ll{ "' •° cca S® Mason might sav it is the first tunc - -* Flat School has ever picnic, and not, as the Old etate.s, "£ear. alter jeai.

Pupil'' lias either bee" mis ' OT °f 'very poor opinion of o,ie of-the most beautiful residences and n . m North Canterbury, or a ivonclertully exaggerated imagination or a pnitiy farmyard.''--Yours, etc.. _» . I>T . F. J. RaCKAEIX Hawarden, IS'ov. 22nd. .