DEFENCE STAFF'PICNIC

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 131, 27 February 1919, Page 6

DEFENCE STAFF'PICNIC

AN ENJOYABLE PICNIC. ' The members of the Defence Headquarters Staff held their annual picnic yesterday at Day's Bay. in perfect weather. The Janie Seddon, with over 300 holiday-makers, reached the Bay soon after 10 o'clock, but before that the secretary (Captain T. H. Jones), with the assistance of •Mr.'W. Diok (caretaker for the council), had been hard at work preparing tho sports 'ground. Among thoso present were: Sir James Allen (Minister of Defence), Colonel C. M. Gibbon, C.M.G. (Chief of the General Staff), Colonel R. J. Collins, C.M.G., Colonel G. F- C. Campbell, C.M.G.. Colonel J. B. Purdy (Assistant-Direc-tor of Medical Services), Lieutenant-. Colonel M , . Jf. Gardner, Major C E. Andrews (Acting-Adjutant General) Majors H. C. Nutsford, G. A. Gibbs, E; B. Smythe, R. M. Griffen. .1. C Hill, Sveetzer, I". E. Ostler, Norton Francis, C.M.G., anil J. G. Roadie, D S.O. Major-General Sir Alfred Bobin (.Commandant of the New Zealand Forces), and Surgeon-General B. S. F. Henderson, C.B. (Director-General of Medical Services), who signified their intention of being present, were unavoidably detained at Blenheim. The outins was thoroughly enjoyed, and the.selections of music, which were played by the Trentham Band, enlivened tbi> proceedings to a large extent. The snorts programme, was comprehensive and over twenty events were keenly contpsted, whilst the children were abmlj dantly supplied with toys. The mem. her? of the committen carried out their duties Qn an efficient manner, as did Messrs. B. F. Fordyce and F. Fennesy (hamlicappers). and Ga.ptn.in .1. F. fiockstrow (starter). The following are th* winners of the prizes that were offered for competition. Typistes' handicap-Mis? j>l Minus (silver spoon?!. 1: Miss.Venablcs (shoehorn and • buttonhook), 2. Clerical ladies' handicap-Miss Fordyce (electroplated teapot), 1; Miss B. Wood (alarm clock), 2. Men's three-lesged irace-Stalt-Sergeant Mid'dleton and Corporal M'Dowell (foun-

tain pens). 1. . Ladies three-lesged race-Misses Chittey and M'Manus (fountain P'Vis). 1. Hop, step, nnd jump-T. Oollerton (ens? of pipes). 1. ... , Ladies' nail-driving-Mrs. Gibbw and Miss Walker, dead heat (electric iron),l. ■Returned soldiers' handicap—A. Fernandez (rug), 1; H. M. M'Girr (fountain Permanent civil clei-ks' Jiaadicap—T. Collerton (travelling set), I; "P. Kea (clock), 2. ..,,,,, ,• Ti Temporary civil clerks handicap—ll. M. M'Girr'(rug), 1; A. Fernandez (box of tea), 2. LndieV epi and spoon 'Jiice—Miss K. Wood (handbag, 1. „ Military clerks' handicAo—Sergeant.t>. P Phillips (rug), 1; S.Q.M.S. M'Gillivrav (box of tea), 2. " . Cigarette race-G. Scott (serviette rintrs). and Miss Gapper vblouse). Visitors' race (married ladies)— Mrs. Walker (box of tea). 1. ' Visiters' race (single ladies)—Mi»s Post (pickle jar), 1. Headquarters ladies' race-Miss Gimnii- : wav (jam dishes); 1- ' Officers' handicap—Captain W. Is. . Kirltwfloil (suit case), 1; Captain C. S. ! Gray (box of tea), 2. ' "Headquarters' handicap (over 40 years) j —M. J. Dind Gladstone bw), 1. , I,adies' skippin? competition— Miss-es M'Manus and Walker tied, after a long - contest, amid great applause. The prize . is a clock, to which Mrs. R. IT. TCaprle - generously offered an i.dditional trophy for the lo?er in the jump-off. ( Bandsmen's race — Lance-Corporal , Calves (shaving outfit), 1. Visitors' race (men's)— T. M. Tlighet (wristlet watch), 1. Consolation race (ladies)— Miss Elton , (hot-water jug), 1. „„,,.' Consolation race (mens)'-E. Suckling : (pair of vases), 1. The ladies' potato raw and men s jumble race liuvo yet to be decided. The thanks of the committee are due to the many generous donors of trophies, most of which are indicated mi results, list. L . L , . The "uessing competition was won by Mrs., Griffen (273). Miss P. Dorset was second (277). Mrs. C. M. Gibbon presented the prizes ami was heartily cheered for-her services. ~ , The judges were Majors C. h. Andrews and G. A. Gibbs, Captain C. &. Gray, nnd Lieutenant T. L. AVilson.