RAILWAY PICNIC

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 26, 31 January 1913, Page 4

RAILWAY PICNIC

A strong nor'-westerly gale lashed the harbour into a yeasty foam yesterday, bub the promoters of the picnic in connection with the head and departmental j offices of the railways decided to carry out the affair set down for that day, and the result justified the decision. The • trip across the harbour to Day's Bay was not too pleasant, and it was not much I better coming back, but at the Bay things were decidedly, pleasant, by comparison, and the large band of picnickers had no cause to be dissatisfied with the arrangements. From Ihe first thing in tho morning iintil dusk a programme of sports of various kinds for young and' old was got through, the water chute and other side shows were kept busy, an excellent luncheon was served in the pavilion, and it was evident that everyone had succeeded in rising superior to the weather conditions, and in spending a really enjoyable day. The committee which was responsible for the arrangements worked hard to ensure the comfort and pleasure of officers and visitors, and it was evident that their labours were not in vain. Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from the Prime Minister (Hon. W. F. Massey) and the Minister for Railways (Hon. W. H. Herries). Before returning to town the prizes Won during the day Were presented by the General Manager (Mr. T. Bonayne), who took advantage of the occasion to make a few valedictory remarks. >■ This, he said, was the last picnic at which he would be present in his official capacity. It was to him a cause of regret that he should be about to sever his connection with a department with which he had been associated for so many years. Next year, all being well, he would be there as their gu^st, and he was quite sure he would be cordially welcome. (Applause.) No one could have interested himself in the welfare of the staff more than he had. He might have failed, but he had done his best to hold the balance in a just and proper manner. Physically and mentally he felt as fit as ever he did in his life, and if experience counted for anything his services should still be valuable to the country. The country was not getting rid of his services. He was seeking a rest on his own behalf. He had had forty*on© years' railway experi-ence-*-thirty-eight years in New Zealand and the balance of the time in the Old Country, and there was not a great deal in connection with railway matters that he did not know something about. He trusted the new General Manager would ba a gentleman who Would deal with the staff in a fair and equitable manner, and take that interest in the welfare of the staff which he (Mr. Konayne) had cii' deavoured to do. _ lie would ever remember his association with the New Zealand Railways. He had had a loyal Btaff; without a loyal- staff a man could not do anything. (Applause.) . . Thred cheers were given for the General Manager, followed by the singing of "He's a Jolly Good Fellow," and the proceedings concluded with the playing of "Auld Lang Syne'^-by the orchestra, which had played some excellent selections during the day. Th 6 officials for the sports programme were as under : — Running* and swimming : Judges, Messrs. ,-Marris, Chittey, and M'Govern ; course Stewards, Messrs. Charlton, Lundbn, and Sutherland; press steward/ Mr. V. R. Bond 5' starter, Mr. 'D. D. Weir; assistant starter, Mr. W. By Simriions ; handicappefs (swimming), Mr. R D.'Weir, (running) Mr. B. Sutherland. Tug,of-war • Judge, Mr. J. P; Kelly. Tennis : M'Caul, Muir, and Pratt. Cricket : Messrs. P. Smith, Nash, and Porteous. Bowling s Messrs? J. P. Kelly .and Batten/ Mr. *H. M'Keowen was.' an energetic and ' efficient hon. secretary, ' ■ ' tn the the ,Petefldn Cup for the cOnipetitd* • Beqrtang^ the".*- Highest number- of j/oints w^Mt W'& ' Ml Power. The results "of the- yatiousx Events were as under :— ** * > Bowling". I—Locomotive1 — Locomotive 1, Stores Department 2, Chief Accountant's Department 3. ■• 50yds Swimming Handicap.— Masson I, Walker' 2, Thomson 3. 75yds Swimming Handicap.— Walker ' 1, M'Grath 2, Dingle 3. 100 yds Cadets' Handicap.— Howard 1, Snelling 2, Haddock 3. 75yds Married Men's Handicap. — Ewart 1, Miller 2, Greig 3. Egg-and-Spoon Race.— Sherwood 1, Sack Race.— Trehy 1, Miller 2, O'Carroll 3. Wheelbarrdw Race.— Dingle and Rohloff 1, Wellings and Craig 2, Bearsley and Goodland 3. lOOyds Open Handicap. — Benton 1, Snelling 2, Howard 3. Thread-the-Needle Race.— Power anJ lady 1. Three-Legged" Race.J-Power arid W. Bond 1, Miller rind Nash 2, Benton and Allwright 3. Relay Race.— Stores Department, No. 1 steam (Mitchell, Bearßley, Power, Murphy), 1; Stores Department, No. 2, 2; Locomotive Department, 3. 75yds Veterans' Handicap.— Cooper 1. Stephens 2, Wynne 3. Tug-of- War.— Stores Department (Macaskill, Haddock, Chitty, Bray, Williamson, Dingle, Cotter, and Power) 1, Chief Accountant's Department 2.