WEST COAST SAWMILL WORKERS’ PICNIC

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1930, Page 3

WEST COAST SAWMILL WORKERS’ PICNIC

.bi:’..Si The feather was on the whole very good ici' the first West- Coast Sawmill Workers’ Picnic, Reid yesterday on Cass Square. The evening -pre.yißjusly as well as the early morning f yesternot promising,' ; Rut the proof of the pudding is ill the eating, a fid tile actual experience with regard to the weather, if it was not all that cbuld be desired, was the next 'best thing. Cass Square . proved a very-suitable rendezvous f6r such a large gathering. Everything is well found, .’clean and in goodporder, dlnd tjio. picnickers merely had to walk on and walk off for'their day’s enjoyment.

,The /occasion was well'/ organised, due' in ~the main to the useful spate ■work carried out by Mr F, Turley, Secretary to. the Workers’ Union. Three trains arrived, one from the south arid two from, the north, all well laden with excursionists. In the forenoon the crowd overran the town, and the streets took on an animated busy aspect.,., Many additional folk arrived by motor car, and all central parking places were Well filled. Upwards of 1500 people must have arrived for the occasion. At the Square there were several'stalls where light refreshments and sweets were .obtainable. A very busy wheel worked- continuously with a queue always in waiting. Sideshows and other pastimes were also in evidence. Hot water, tea, etc., were supplied bv the Committee gratis.and the department teas well patronised. , .. ’’ Cass Square took on a very gay and busy scene in the afternoon, where a well arranged and carefully organised sports’programme was brought off . For the purpose there was a very active committee of both sawmill owners and millers—employers and employees co-operating to make the most of the joyful Occasion. - . The hoys and girls wore well catered for, and the running tracks were kept busy most of the time. In addition there were athletic events for adults of both sexes, and no lack of competitors. There were many spirited contests. The married women’s race was k an event of note. Mr Turley was handicapper and starter, and teas generous in the starts he gave, but a fleet-footed lady came from the rear and smothered the field. The men s events created great interest, especially ithe tug-o’-tear in which six sawmill teams competed. There was much excitement over the various pulls, the final being, between Hum aiid Ngahere, and the West Coast Cup, presented tby the Licensed Victuallers’ Association went to the former team amid great cheering. The baby show brought forth many en- \ tries, all of whom did credit to the \ West Coast. Mrs Halliday a'nd’.Lr Duncan Murdoch were the judges, and the prize went to Mrs Herbert Lawn’s baby. Events continued steadily- from 1 o’clock almost to train time at 6 o’clock, and the afternoon passed very pleasantly. The Municipal Band was in attendance during the afternoon and assisted to enliven the preceding*. The Square wore a very animated ap-

pearance all the afternoon, and thanks to a hard working Committee of which Mr It. Wild was Hon. Sec-, rotary, and Mr I). P. Stuart, Chairman, with many willing and capable helpers, the event will go down into history as a most enjoyable reunion well worth repeating as an annual event to further anent the happy relatioos existing between all parties concerned.