VISIT TO TAINUI

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 21, 18 October 1937, Page 7

VISIT TO TAINUI

Great Outing for Parkvale School Children

MEMORABLE OCCASION

i(jreetings to Parkvale Sehool from Tainui." These words inseribed on a huge and beautifully*iced calie that tvte speeially HiadO to celebrate the Visit of a partjr of children from the Parkvale Schdol to the Shaw Savill Line's Eoyal mail Bteamer, Tainui, which was lying m the roadstead at Napier on Friday last. This was the second occasion this month that a party of children from the schOol were the guests of the shipping company and the outing was arranged by Mr J. Stickland, chairman of the school comrnittee, while the children' Were Oonveyed to Napier by cars under Ihe dtfection of Mr Collibge, a master of the sehool. The outing was a wonderful experience for the children, who were selected from Standards 5 and 0, and it was not marred in any way by the xather rough weather experienced. Arriving at the Breakwater thcy Were •taken by launch out to the roadstead and were given a real thrill as the launch was piloted between two ligbters at the ship's side. Irransference from launch to lighter was a great experience for the children for the seas were decidedly choppy and there was a big ■Swell. Except that a few were swept by spray, there was no mishap and then came Olie of the big thrills of the alternoon, that of being hoisted ffom the lighter to tho Taintli by means of a slibg. The party wero given a great receptiony there being a big orowd of passengers aboard and they cheered the arrival of the youngsters as thdy camo in batches "from down below," Met by Purser Eussell and Chief Steward Townro .v, the party was given the "freedom of the ship" and ivith smiiing faces, happy laUgliter aud eipressions of dclight thOy proceeded to tour the vessel from bOW to stern. The officers gaVe the children a really WOnderful time, showing them all there Was to be seen, takiiig them through tho State rooins, the refrigerating guarters, the kitchen and pantry4 the Ships ' quarters, and throughout answered tlie hundred and one questions that the eager and keenly-interested children asked. Altogether over four hours was spent aboard the vessel and the Visit concludea with a late afternoon-tea, Which was fully appreciated by not only the children themselves but the officers and passengers, for the happy laughter and gaiety Was infectious. Coloured streainere, balloons, paper hats and squeakers were provided to each child who did full justice to the repast of dainty cakes, jelly and cream atid, the specially-made big fruit cake. The xeturn to land Was a bright aird happy one with plenty of pleasant Uiemories and a hne collection of autographs.