RAILWAY PICNIC.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1551, 7 February 1879, Page 3

RAILWAY PICNIC.

The annual picnic of the employes of the railway department took place yesterday. The locality selected by the committee was a twenty-acre paddock belonging to Mr Samson, at Southbrook, the use of which was kindly given by him for the occasion. Two trains were specially put on by Mr Back to convey the excursionists to their destination. The first left Christchurch at 8 a.m., drawn by engines 84 and9l, carrying about 1500 passengers, and arrived at Southbrook about ten o'clock; und the second contingent of about the same number, drawn by the Oorßair, No. 90, making altogether a total of 3000 holidaymakers, left town at ten o'clock, and arrived at the scene of the festivities about a quarter to eleven o'clock. The weather was not as fine as had been hoped for, as at first it was very windy, and as the day wore on, one or two heavy showers fell, which compelled the large concourse, a great proportion of which were women and children, to seek Buch impromptu shelter as could be obtained. About one o'clock the sun broke out. The favorable spell, however, only lasted for a couple of hours, as about 3 p.m. showery weather commenced, and, with windy gusts, continued until it was nearly time to return to town, when it brightened into a glorious evening. Mr R. P. Crosbie, the indefatigable secretary, and his assistant, Mr T. Bain, worked most energetically to make every department—and they were multitudinous—under their control a success, and a great deal of the eclat of the picnic was due to their efforts. The programme proper of tho sports included running, walking, and jumping matches for the men and boys, with special contests for the ladies, married and single, and young girls. In addition to these, there were cricket, throwing the ball, running between wickets, quoits, skittles, nine-pins, rounders, leaping with the pole, putting the stor.e, and tossing the caber. The programme was conscientiously carried out. One great feature was a baby show. The judges in this contest had a task of no ordinary difficulty in doing their duty conscientiously and fairly, and at the Bame time mollifying the disappointment of those ladies whose offspring failed to obtain a prize. As a judge of babies, Mr Hannay appeared to be quite in his element. While the sports were going forward those whose enjoyment did not lie in the direction of athletics found other sources of recreation providod by the swings, me'ry-go-round, a duplicated Aunt Sally, one tawny as an Ethiop, and the other of a clear blue, of the tint characterised bv the " Only Leon " as a delicate Peruvian blonde, a tent of Christy minstrels, and the music of the railway band, who made their first appearance in public. The Christy's were inimitable, introducing some novel harmonic effects, produced by the instruments being played iu one key, while the vocalises selected their own at pleasure. Their efforts were, however, mnch appreciated, and plenty of laughter and applause followed their antics. One side of the paddock was skirted by a pleasant running stream, fringed with a belt of trees, and under their shade picnic families became temporarily "free selectors," and held festive re-unions. In these tho social teapot was freely brought into use, a plentiful supply of hot water being constantly on baud from from six monster cauldrons, which were kept perpetually boiling by a lively stoker, who, to judge by his jocose behaviour, believed in a more generous stimulant than bohea or souchorg. Mr Roberts, of tho Club Hotel, Rangiora, had a monster marque erected, and supphed lurches on a scale at a very modest remuneration. Mountains of buns, with copious supplies of milk, were provided gratuitously tor the children, and their unalloyed enjoyment, manifested by

merry shouts and laughter, was not the lea->t pleasant part of the day's proceedings. Dancing was kept up during the day, the railway band, under the direction of Mr Tyrrell, giving proof of the constant practice they must hare had since their formation, only four months ago. About a thousand toys were distributed to the children, and, in addition to the prizes raised by subscription, and competed for by the adult and and juvenile athletes, specinl prizes wore given, as follows:—Mr Nashelski, a silver claret jug and pair of goblets ; Mr A. D. I Smith, a handsome gold brooch ; Mr Back, a silver cruet-stand, silver cup, and silver knife, fork, and spoon, the latter for the baby show ; and Mr Brunette, a handeome timepiece. Mr W. S. Moorhouae also gave a donation of £2 towards the prize fund. About six o'clock preparation was made to return to town, vfhich necessitated the omission of some of the sports included in the programme. The traiu that conveyed the picmcians back consisted oi' thirty-eight carriages, trucks, and vans, drawn by the same engines used in th 3 early morning train, gaily decorated with evergreens and branches. Altogether a very enjoyable d.iv was spent, the arrangements generally ri lifting great, credit on the managing committee and the heads of tho various departments, who did all in their powor to promote the enjoyment of the railway employes, their wives, and families.

Messrs Dickenson and Rankin acted as starters in the races; Messrs Ingram and Cole took tho entries ; Mr McWilliams acted as judge. The following is the programme of events: — men's baces. In the first ten events the distance in each case was 220 yards, and the prizes respectively were:—lst, 40s, 20s, and 10a ; entrance, 2s 6d. All comers ; eleven entries. —J. Reed, 1; R. Frame, 2; A. Williams, 3. Blacksmiths ; four entries.—A. Manning, 1, John Haskins, 2; S. Whitter, 3. Carpenters ; seven entries. —J. Ryan, 1 j M. Petersen, 2; J. Kemp, 3. Fitters; four entries.—E. Haskins, 1; W. Bonz, 2 ; J. Macfarlane, 3. Locomotive running; five entries. —J. Andrew, 1; H. Freeman, 2; A. Bateman, 3. Painters; four entries. —W. Eaton, 1 ; J. Smith, 2 ; E. Bond, 3. Permanent Way ; three entries.—R. Hepburn, 1 ; J. Brown, 2. Traffic; six entries. —A. Williams, 1; R. Frame, 2; J. Gordon, 3. All Departments; eight entries. —R. Frame, 1 ; E. Baskins, 2 ; W. Macfarlane, 3 Over Forty Years of Age; five entries.—B. Orange, 1; J. Heasman, 2 ; ¥). Bond, 3. Committee Handicap; 220 yards ; tbc youngest member at scratch, and one yard allowed for each year of seniority ; entrance, 5s Prize--, Ist, cup, .£5; 2nd, 40s ; 3rd, 20s.—A. McWilliams, 1 ; W. Rankin, 2; J. Ashby, 3 ; J. S. Lane, 4.

Walking Half-mile; entrance, 2s Gd. Prizes, Ist, 40s ; 2nd, 20* ; : j rd, 10s ; five entries. —G. Main, 1: W. A. Wood, 2 ; Gilmore, 3. Mr Nashelski's Pr ze. —A silver jug and pair of zoblets, Handicap, 880, 440 and 220 yards. First heat, 880 yards ; lfi entries—H. Freeman, 1; Wiiliams, 2 ; J. Gordon, 3. Second heat, 440 yards—H. Freeman, 1; J. Gordon, 2 ; Williams, 3. Third heat, 220 yards—H. Freeman, 1 ; J. Gordon, 2 ; Williams, 3.

Mr A. D. Smith's Prize—Hurdle _ Pace, 220 yards, over 8 flight of hurdles 3G inches high and two water jumps; four entries—W. Mayze, 1; J. C Hickman, 2. Boys' Pace, under 14 years, 220 yards ; twelve entries—Charles JSiee, 1; A. Ford, 2; W. Skinner, 3. 440 yards, seven entries —A. Ford, 1; C. Nee, 2; W Baker,3. Walking, 830 yards ; four entries—E. Norton, 1; J. Hogan, 2; N. Monnie, 3. Prizes in each event, 10s, 5s and 2s Cd. Under 16 ; running, 220 yards ; seven entries — G. Wells. 1; J. Atkinson, 2 ; Alf. Montague, 3. Men—Consolation. 100 yards; two entries—S. Cannter, 1 ; McGlesson, 2. Married Women's Rj.ce.—Two races, 100 yards. Prizes 20s and 10s in each event. Mrs Shields won each race.

Girls under 15 years—loo yards. Prizes, 20s and 10s. L. Kelly, 1; S. Porters, 2. Baby Show.—Mr Back's prizes : —lst, silver cruet; 2nd, silver cup, 3rd, silver knife, fork, and spoon. For this there were fifty-six entr es, out of which, the judges picked ten from which the prize-takers worj selected as follows : Mrs Mynes' baby, 1 ; Mrs Harper's, 2; Mrs Armitage's, 3 Tossing Caber. —Four entries. E. Creagh, 1; Maciaggan, 2.