The Railway Employes Fete

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 43, 12 April 1884, Page 2

The Railway Employes Fete

Good Friday of 1884 will be rememhred with pleasure by the employes of I the Manawatu Patea_railway. The ar- | rangements for the Annual Picnic and Sports which were held again this year at Westoe were very complete, and th© i Secretary, Mr H. H. Jackson, deserves I every praise for the exertions be used to carry out the wishes of the committee. Mr Rotherana acted as judge, and Mr Day as starter. Mr !*etemeyer was |on the ground, and by his kindness and attention to every one added considerably to the success ef the fete. There were two bands, .those of Marton and Feilding, present, and their excellent rendering of , the various selected pieces was much admired. In addition, to these the cheering strains of the bagpipes were heard from time to time, and the effect was much appreciated, the piper having generally a good following of wrap* admirers. The train from Foxton arrived at Westoe about 11 am , and shortly afterwards the trains from Manutahi and Wanganui put in an appearance. Each train was well filled without any of tbat crowding which so often makes travelling in excursion trains so unpleasant. The .engines and carriages were all tricked out with evergreens and flowers, while the flags of all nations waved and fluttered in the breeze from the breaks and carriages to which they were attached. The cowcatchers of the engines were appropriate matters. A namber of persons drove and rode on to* tbe ground, and when the sports began upwards of one thousand persons of. all ages and sexes were on the ground. All the events were well contested, although the handicapping was a little weak, owing to the fact that the " previous performance;." of the competitors were not known. We csn only give tho winners of the prizes as the limited space at our disposal prevents us giving a detailed account of each event. 100 Yabds.— Robinson, 1; Hodysen, 2; Kcegau and Tait, tie. High Jump.— Tait and Colliers tied at 4ft 9in. Single Lambs— Wakeley, 1 ; Robinson, 2. 200 Yam*-. — Robinson, 1; Hodysen, 2\ Tait and Keegan, tie. Boys' Race, 200 Yabds.— M. Ellis, 1 ; J. Ellis, 2. Platelayers' Race, 200 Yabds.—Henley, 1 ; Davey, 2. 440 Yabds.— Hodyson 1, Keegan 2L Women's Race ; 100 yards. Bowles 1, Woodhill 2, Booker 3. Mile Race.— Pennell 1, Hodyson 2> Burr 3. Dbivebs and Fibbmbns' Race.— Rann 1, Feasey 2. This was the event of the day, and when ** Old Tom "came ma splendid winner, he was " hoisted" and carried down to the tent to be. *' weighed in " and refre!*hed.. The hearty f cheers which were given for the winner sfoke volumes for the* esteem in which he is neld. . . '• .:- "- Guabds and Pobtbbs' R icß;—__ennelly „ * 1, Palmer 2. Dbkw's Cup; 130 yards. — Henneßy 1, Fait 2. ■'■';- - The committee's race, sack race, and consolation did, not come off. Among the other amusements were "kiss in (he rin<r," dancing, skittle,- and. a shooting gallery, while childrens* races, for toy prizes, were almost continuous. At about 430 the trains were ready to take in freight, and in a, few minutes they parted for the north and south respectively. Moth bands played up and tbe cheering was loud and long as they separated. We are glad to note that not a single hitch or contretemps of any kind occurred. This may be in a great measue acconuted for by the excellent management of Mr Rotheram, and the experience of all bands in training and exttaining passengers. So intoxicating liquors of any kind appeared on the ground "-nd consequently everyone had "a good time." In conclusion we will venture to say that no section of the railways of New Zealand could turn out a better looking or more contented and happy crowd of . people than appeared on the grounds of Sir William Fox yesterday.: