COUNTRY NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2315, 7 October 1908, Page 2

COUNTRY NEWS.

POUAWA

[FItOM Ouil CoitKESPONDENT.] The annual picnic of tho Wliangora Native school was held da tho school grounds on Saturday last. It was the intention, of tho management to have held it at the same place, as last year, on Mr Seymour’s property, but owing to tlie threatening appea'rance of tho weather early in the day it was decided to stay near shelter in - case of rain. The weather conditions were rather unfortunate, as the unfavorable aspect early in tlie morning undoubtedly kept many at home who, under pleasanter circumstances, would have bellied to swell the crowd. As it was a very respectable number were present, and were well repaid, as the picnic proved a complete success from start to finish. The fun started as early as 10.30 a.m. and, with sports and feasting, the time was fully and pleasantly occupied until sundown. A largo and varied programme of sports was gone through during the day, and in each event the three placed one.s were the recipients of varied and useful prizes. Every child present got somt.hing out of toydoin, whether competing or not, and, consequently, were all highly delighted. The whole company were served with a substantial lunch at midday and again with tea and cake m the evening ,and great credit is due to the management for tlie successful issue of the whole affair as all left for their homes highly delighted with their day’s outing. The controlling spirits wc'ro the School Committee and'- Mr Fraser, the teacher, who, each and all, did their utmost to entertain their visitors. Mr Fraser, especially, was untiring in his efforts, being constantly on the move from start to finish and certainly deserves the thanks of the whole community. Tho Committee, also, could not have done more, ami a spcci al feature of tlie meeting was the hearty welcome extended by the Natives to their European- friends at the instance of tlie Chairman, Mr Hira I’aenga. A heavy thunder storm passed over the district on Sunday afternoon, accompanied by a heavy shower of had, the hailstones being as large as ordinarv marbles. However, it did not last -long, and the soaking tlie ground <rot was just wliat it needed.