NOTES FROM REEFTON.

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 January 1903, Page 3

NOTES FROM REEFTON.

(OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

School Excursion,

Nineteen hundred and three will long bo remembered by the children, and the adults who attended the excursion to Greymonth. Many were the anxious though's regarding what the weatbtr would be like, more especially owing m the previous year’s outing turning out so wet, and the long spell • of wet weather we have lately experienced. However, the fates this year must have been ox* ceedingly kind—the morning broke with a very dull sky overhead, but with the glass still rising, there were few doubts but that it would turn out a very hot day. Although the train was not advertised to leave till 7 45 a.m. yet the first of the children staged towards tha station at a quarter to- five, and from six o'clock up to the time of departure, what with the many drags and other conveyances of all descriptions, and a large number of pedestrians, the road to the station reminded one of the race days at Xmas time, fully 700 being on the train.

At a quarter to eight the welcome sound of “right away” was given, and ofl we went, the engine belonging to the ordinary train assisting us through the tunnel. It really did a person’s heart good to see the number of smiling faces, waving handkerchiefs, etc., looking the picture of happiness. True to time we arrived in Greymouth at 10 40 a m., and for the next hour the business people of Greymouth were very busy, especially the fruiterers. Arriving on the beach, all formed themselves into different parties, and a number of fires were soon lit. Immediately after the inner man had been refreshed, the whole afternoon was spent by the majority in bathing or paddling in the ocean, the weather by this time being all that co aid. bo desired, the sun shining brightly with a. nice gentle breeze. After tea was over the time had arrived when wo must say good bye to the beautiful sea, By ten to five we were again on our way home, the majority looking sunburnt and tired. After a short stay at Hinau, so that our engine could get steam up, away we started up the incline to the tunnel. Seeing that we had a very heavy load many were the conjectures “Cm she do it meaning the engine. Wnen some distance up it was seen that tie load was too much, as we so n came to a standstill. After a consultation with the powers that be, it was decided to try again, rather than break the train in the middle and make two

trips to town. This time all thought and hoped the engine would manage it, but it was not to be, as we again came to a standstill; it was then decided to leave half the load and take the remainder to town, returning for the ba'anen, which necessitated a delay of about half an hour. However, in due time everyone reached home safely, having spent the day for many years. Toomuch praise cann t be given to the Eailway staff, both ft Reefton and Qreymoutb, for the manner in which the excursion was carried cut : also to the Chairman of the Grey School Committee and the Harbor Board for the kindly assistance they rendered. The School Committee, as in former years presented several of the Old Age - Pensioners, free .tickets, and the Ladies Benevolent Society fjlso kindly provided them with the necessary funds, to obtain their lunch. I am fure these little acts of kindness were duly, appreciated by the recipients.