THE WAIHOLA GORGE SABBATHSCHOOL PICNIC.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 190, 1 March 1878, Page 6

THE WAIHOLA GORGE SABBATHSCHOOL PICNIC.

Oh Friday last the • children attending the Gorge Sabbath school,, their teachers, and a few interested friends^ left Milburn station by the morning. /train en; route to •hold a picnic at Messrs Smith brothers', near Stirling, as per previous arrangement. Mr W. Smith met them with a conveyance to carry down their provisions, and as many of the young children arid ' ladies as could be stowed in it. When he noticed the number !of boxes, baskets, etc., : containing the provisions, , he, jocularly remarked : "Surely you. have thought that •this is a hungry place ;" but the whole company soon found that instead of it ■ being a hungry or dreary place, it was, tb ; them a place of very .special enjoyment. Mr arid Mrs Smith's kindness was of the, true cordial and genial type. Their attendarice was unremitting, affording every possible convenience and comfort, and supplying fruit and millc iniabundance. The day being hot, the. picnic was held in the bush, behind the house. : a very , suitable spot for the purpose. A swing was easily made, races were run for prizes of books , given by'Mr Nicho'l,' tlie missionary, and others ; sports were indulged iri and fully enjoyed by both old and young. When the time came to say good-bye to their kind benefactors, the whole mustered in front of tlie dwelling house. Mr Nichol gave out a hymn, which was sung, then • Mr Ayson on behalf , of the teachers and. scholars tendered to Mr, and Mrs Smith their sincere thanks .for their, trouble and kindness, which was followed by three hearty cheers, and one cheer more for the scholars, etc. They theri marched to Stirling accompanied by "Mr Smith as iri the forenoon, and arrived safely at Milburn as happy as the: day is long.