MANGAOTAKI

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 75, 27 March 1908, Page 3

MANGAOTAKI

The long looked for Mangaotaki Settlers' picnic came off on St. Pat- , rick's Day under ideal conditions. The picnic was held at Ruapeka, commonly called by the settlers Top Pataka, on account of a small Pataka having been built there by the surveyors in the long ago. Ruapeka is the junction of the Mangaotaki-Mahoenui-Kawhia roads, and is about twelve miles from Pio Pio. It is also the junction of ; the Mangaotaki and Wainguru streams. This picnic is the first formal in the Mangaotaki of the settlers with their wives and families, and practically everv man. -woman and child in the district was at the gathering. In common fairness to everybody, it is rather hard to chronicle the fact that after more than six years of settlement the only settlers not_ present were those who are practically barred from living on their land on account of having no access thereto.. A capital luncheon was served in the shade of a hoary-headed old rimu, by the ladies of the Valley, to whom is* due all the credit for having made the picnic the success that it was. The whole was a most enjoyable outing. and was managed and worked up by the ladies alone. After lunch the usual picnic games, such as rounders, etc.. were indulged in by the old and ycung, till it was time for afternoon tea, when everybody was called together again and that luxury of picnicers—billy tea—was handed round. , Advantage was taken of a lull in the proceedings by Capt. Lindsay, to thank the ladies, on behalf of the people assembled, for getting the picnic up. and he also expressed the wish of the people when he asked that it be made an annual affair, and concluded by calling for a hearty cheer for the ladies. As the shades of evening began to gather, the whole crowd of contented picnicers wended their way to the house of Mr and Mrs Higginson, where a dance was held, a fitting encl to an enjoyable day. Songs and recitations were given at intervals during the evening. _ Aivery nice supper was served at midnight, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all present. Dancing was kept up till daylight, when Mr Battley, on behalf of "those assembled, in a neat speech, thanked Mr and Mrs Higginson for having given the use of their house for the dance, and asked that they be given three hearty cheers for their kindness, which were very willingly given. He also thanked the ladies generaliv for having made the affair the success that it was, and hoped that when next March came round the\- would all meet together again. Afser " Auld Lang Syne " had been sung, all went to their various homes welf satisfied with the outing, and it is not too much to say that all will look forward to the next Mangaotaki picnic with great interest.