COOK’S DAY

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 542, 11 October 1902, Page 3

COOK’S DAY

MONSTER PICNIC AT ORMOND. A EUCCE3SFUD DAY’S OUTING. The first celebration in Poverty Bay of an event, which is gradually forcing itself upon tho minds of tho people, took place 1 in Thursday, when the Cook Memorial 1 picnic wus held at Mr J. Ciesar’s fine . grounds, at Ormond. Tho day broke I somewhat threateningly, and irj the coun- . I try in tho morning a light shower of rain I fell, but the “ Clerk of tiio Weather " was I as good as his word, and before eleven I o’clock all misgivings as to tho day being I a wet one wore dispelled. The site selected for tho picnic was in I evory respect an ideal one ; it was just a I nice distance from town, and situated in I one of the most healthy townships in the | district, and after tho recent spring I showers could not have been seen to Hotter advantage. Mr Ctesar’s house is situated on tho high ground overlooking I tho main road, arid from that vantage

i mu piuuiuuuia wuiu iiuju tu lUlliiw the day’s proceedings with interest, or, on I tho other hand, they had the choice of mixing with tho gaily dressed crowd on the flat bo ow. Whatpleasarit reminiscences there will bo of tbo day’s outing, | narking, as it docs, the first recognition of the services rendered" by the fir: oua navigator to this colony. And how tho gallant Captain, could lie have peeped from behind the curtain, would havo wondered at tho transformation that had come over the scene since his historical visit, Wo think that noth-

ing would havo struck him more than to sec Maoris clothed in fiuropeun costume, mixing pleasingly and happily with their pakeha brothers, and taking part in their games. The celebrated navigator, as ho cast his eye over the festive scene, would nave been justified in exclaiming, 11 My work, all my work ! ” Special provision had been made by

the Railway Department for the comfort of passengers, and Messrß Baxter (district manager) and Wasted (stationmastcr) ure to be congratulated upon the success which ittended their arrangements. Had tho morning riot been so overcast the attar- ' nice would havo beon much greate- jC

as it was there must have been -early 2000 people on tho ground. Tbo rico for admission was sixpence, and even at that small figure about £34 was taken at the gates -a record in Gisborne for. a gathering of this kind. Tho General Committeo of tho Cook Memorial Fund did not show tho amount of energy and enthusiasm which ono would have expectod to havo seen displayed by them in connection with such a gathering; but thoir seeming apathy in tho matter was more than made up by the efforts of the Ormond Committee, who aro justly entitled to tho honor for tho great success achieved. From tho time tho matter was first mentioned to Mr Ciesar, that gentleman entored heart and soul into the undertaking, neither time nor expense being spared in making preparations for tbe picnic. Not only did ho throw his

grounds open to the public,-but he took over the entire management of tho athletic programme, and in a thousand aud one ways worked like a Trojan to assure tho success of the outing. To tho ladies of Ormond too much credit cannot bo given for tho great part they performed, and tho wholo of tho catering was carried out by thorn and given as a donation to the fund. Tho committee comprised tho following ladies: Mesdames Graham, Ciosar. Bruce,Howie, Fitzell, Petehell, Wyat, Clay, Farmer, Neonan, Misses Gordon, Nowman (2 1, Bruco (2), McKenzie, Danvers, and Shanks, all of whom took a keen and lively intorost in the affair. Special praise is duo to Mrs W. Graham for the succoss of tho arrangements, and it must Ibo a great satisfaction to her and tho ladies who co operated with her to know that through their efforts such a substantial amount will accrue to tbo general fund. Besides a largo marquoo where lunch was eerved, there wero other stalls undor tho control of Misses Rosie and Evelyn Bruce, tho sum of £7 being taken by these young ladies. Tho ladies in charge of tho luncheon marquee took .£ls 17s 6d, whilst tho afternoon tea realised a sum of £4 7s 6d. A feature of tho afternoon tea was that tho lady attendants wero attired in the attractive costumes worn in the time of Captain Cook. Quito a sensation was caused when tho young ladies marched down to the tent, and tho gentlemen accorded thorn several rounds of applause. Tho ladies who appeared in fancy costumes wero Misses Gordon, McGrath, Newman, McKenzie (2), Danvers, and Farmer, all of whom are to bo coin-

plimented upon tho enterprise which they showed in tho efforts to assist tho Memorial Fund. Miss Danvers had several baskets of pretty button-holeß, which she sold to gontlemen preseDt, and in this way obtained a goodly sum.

Thorp were two Island fruit-stalls —ono in charge of Misses Colley, Steelo (2), and Thompson ; tho other undor supervision of Mist Gertie Campion, of the Pollard Opera Company, who was assisted by Misses Pollard, K. Campion, and Sullivan. Both stalls did a roaring business throughout the day, nearly tho whole of tho stock being disposed of. Miss Newman obtained ill 3s 6d from the sale of bags of lollies, and Misses Redstone and Townloy collected about D 3 by moans of a guessing competition as to the number of passengers by the trains. Tho Secretary headed tho list with 1000, but others who followed went far below and abovo that number, tho highest being 3650, and tho lowest 740- The official returns showed that 1003 passengers were conveyed by tho train to tho picnic, and there were three who guessed 1000 —viz., Mrs W. King, and Messrs D. Scott and Gaudin. Mr R. E. Barton camo next with 999, and Messrs S. Williams and W. D. Lysnar fifth and sixth respectively, Mr Courteney was, as usual, to tho fore with an up-to-date “ Aunt Rally,” who was responsible for the sum of ill 7s lid being added to tho day's receipts. In connection with the races, Mr Ctcsar had valuable assistance from Messrs W. Fraser (who arranged tho handicaps), J. Poynter, S. Newman, and many other local sports. Tho wood-chopping competition, which was excellently arranged by Mr S. Newman, was the most interesting event on }he programme. There were half-a-dozen ontrics, and tho spectators wero treated to some tine work. Tho winner was M. Speller, J. Parsons being second. A. llavis, W. Edwards, W. Jones, and C. Longman also compotcd. Tho winner opened out with a fine, wido scarf, and never threw away a stroke, the sides of the scarf boing as cleanly cut as if done with a crosscut-saw. Edwards finished second, but was disqualified for pushing his tree off the stump. Mr Newman is to be complimented upon tho excellence of the arrangements for the competition. Tho members of tho Ormond Ladies’ Committeo woro very protty bluo and white rosettes, with tho inscription “ Ormond Cook Momorial Committee,” the badges being kindly suppliod by Mr T. j Adair. Mr F. A. Ford supplied a numbir of pretty bluo and gold badges for tho Gisborne Committee. A gift of fine lemons from Mr G. Schmidt, of Waercnga-a-hika, is also acknowledged by the ScoTho City and Gisborne Rifles Bands wero in attendance during the day, and played a choice selection of airs, the music serving to keep evoryono in tho best of spirits. Ping pong was going all day, and the Men’s* Championship was won by Melt roy, who beat Stanley Colemau by 31 points to 23. Mr T. Adair supervised th<ping pong events, being assisted by several gentlemen. Tbo athletic evonts wero keenly contested. Hcany oatned a good win in the 100yds, whilst Morris, from scratch, ran in fine style in tho Cook Memorial Handicap, which provided a grand finish. The Quarter-mile was won by G. Witty, and the Half-Mile by T. Sharp. Tho Threading the-Necdlo race was won by Miss IDavey and Mr Rouse, Miss McGregor and Mr Fairlic being a good second. F. Pettie | was too fast for the other musicians, gain- ; ing an easy victory. T. Bolt won the Hop-Step and Jump, and Hubbard the Long Jump. T. Nicholson showed good form in tho District Schools Championship, B. Muir being second. In connection with tbo goneral arrangements for the gathering, praise is due to Messrs A. Townlev, C. H. W. Dixon, and J. McKay, for the manner which they worked, • ~,, , In the evening a dance wae held In ttje

Ormond Hall, and was largely attended. The floor was in good order, and excellent l music was provided by Mrs Fernandez. The duties of M.C. were effieicicntly discharged by Mr A. McKenzie, to whom is duo tho success of tho dance. During tho evening tbe Secretary of tbo Cook Memorial Fund thanked tho ladies and gentlemen of the Ormond district for the kindly interest they had Hbown in regard to tho day’s proceedings, and also for the substantial donation that they had given to the funds. It was remarked that wheu the statue of Cook was erected the residents of Ormond could visit the spot and be well satisfied that they had dono their full share towards it. Messrs G. Elliott and C. H. W. Dixon spoke on behalf of thojadies. Dancing was continued with spirit until an early hour yesterday morning. A feature of the dance was that several of the young ladies appeared in the fancy costumes worn at the afternoon tea, and were much admired by all others present,

TELEGRAM FROM MR CARROLL.

Yesterday Mr W. Gaudin received the following telegram from the Hon. J. Carroll :—“ Allow me to congratulate you ail on the success of the Cook Memorial picnic. Tho universal enthusiasm displayed at the proposition to muke the Celebration one of annual oecurrenco is exceedingly satisfactory.— Kia-ora.”