PAEROA SCHOOL PICNIC

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5244, 27 February 1928, Page 2

PAEROA SCHOOL PICNIC

RAIN MARS EXCURSION.

PARTY RETURNS IN AFTERNOON.

The 1928 Paeroa District High School’s annual picnip will long live ini the memories of those who made the trip to Te Arolia. Leaving Paeroa at 7.52 on Friday morning in fine weather, though an overcast sky prevailed, nearly 500 parents, teachers, children, and friends left in high spirits and in keen anticipation of a day’s pleasure in “pastures new.” Oh .arrival at Te Aroha, shortly before nine q’clock, a bee-line was made for the Berries Memorial Park, where boots, shoes, stockings, and other superfluous clothing .were discarded and the children scampered off to amuse themselves in various ways. For some the shops had a strong attraction, and l many a penny expended on delectable ice creams and other edibles. Some children found their way over to the Government domain and sought a game of tennis. The smaller children found great delight on the swings and other appurtenances, in the park, while the school team commenced a game of cricket, against a team from! the Te Aroha school.

Free issues of buns and cordials were made to the children), and the distributors of such good things were immensely popular. While the children were away playing and enjoying themselves the eye’s of many parents and the teachers were frequently turned anxiouly skywards. ’ Shortly after 11 o’clock a few heavy drops of rain fell, and these were followed by ;a deluge of heavy rain. There was, a hasty scatter for shelter, and those people who. had brought wraps were heard to be congratulating themselves on their foresight. At 12.30 p.m. there was no prospect of the weather clearing, so Mr G. H. Taylor (headmaster) interviewed the stationmaster to. learn what chance there was of returning to Paeroa earlier than by the 6.40 p.m? train, as had been originally intended. The railway officials were particularly obliging, and immediately telephoned to the Waitoa station anid. gave instructions for the slow train from Frankton to Thames (due at Paeroa at 2.20 p.m.) to couple up the carriages which had been sent there earlier in the day. Mr Taylor then returned to the park and advised those present what he had done. Under the circumstances, his actions met with warm approval, from the grown-ups at least. • Then commenced a feverish search in/the town and domain for those who had wandered off before the rain began to fall. Long before the train reached the station the children were all accounted for and entrained safely, and the ‘journey back to Paeroa was without incident. On receipt of advice that the excursionists were returning earlier than was expected an appeal was made for motor vehicles to meet the train. The response was liberal, and local and outside garages, as well, as several private car owners, loaned their vehicles. By the time the train reached Paeroa the rain had ceased, and the excursionists were placed into the waiting motor-cars and quickly transferred to their horned without a further wetting. Some were heard to complain about the curtailment of the picnic, and about the rain falling on their day of days, but in the main the party was thankful to get home in good time and agreed that there had been a lot of fun in spite of the weather.