ST. PATRICK'S SCHOOL PICNIC.

Kumara Times, Issue 1644, 5 January 1882, Page 2

ST. PATRICK'S SCHOOL PICNIC.

In accordance with an intimation previously given by Rev. Father Devoy, the children assembled on the ground in the vicinity of the Catholic Church, on Monday morning last, at about 10 o'clock. At 10.30 they marched in procession, numbering about 300, marshalled by the Rev. Father Devoy, Mr Duggan, teacher of St. Patrick's School, and members of the Picnic Committee, to the junction of Tui and Main streets, to meet the Waimea Brass Band. The procession retrirned by the same route to the grounds, when tbet partook of the first meal, consisting of a plentiful supply of buns, biscuits, lollies, gingerbeer, etc. Sports were then commenced under the superintendence of the Rev. Father Devoy, Messrs Duggan (handtcapper) D. Oallaghan (starter), P. Moran, T. Moran, and M. Maloney (committee). Racing, wrestling, jumping, vaulting, sack-raciug, and other sports were then heartily contested by bigger children. The Merry-go-round, which formed a great source of enjoyment, wad amply patronised by the exultant juveniles. The value of the prizes alone exceeded £lO. The following is a list of the winners of a few of the principal events:— Handicap Boys' Race, 100 yards; for boys from 8 to 11 years.— Ist prize, cut glass inkstand, value 4s 6d ; 2nd, penknife ; 3rd, ball. T. M'Grath, 8 yards ... 1 E. Mulvital 1, scratch ... 2 J. Sweeney, 2 yards ... 3 Handicap Girls' Race, 100 yards ; for girls from 8 to 11 years.—lst prize, album ; 2nd, shell-slippers; 3rd, bead basket. H. Ryan, scratch ... 1 A. Lennon, 3 yards ... 2 K-. Ryder, 5 yards ... 3 Grand Challenge Handicap Boys' Race, for boys from 8 to 14 years ; to be run in batches from 8 to 10 years, from 10 to l£, and 12 to 14, over a course 100, 150 v and 200 yards ; the three first in each event to decide by a 200 yards handicap. First prize, alarum clock, value £1 2s 6d; 2nd, a purse; ..third, a beautiful pocket inkbottle, i ~~ First Race;"lso yards, fdr Boys from 10 to 12 years. T. Wilkinson, scratch .-.i 1 VV. Gilbert, 4 yards ... 2 R. Quinn, 6 yards ... 3 Second Race, (100 yards) for Boys from 8 to 10 years. E. Mulvihill, scratch ... 1 M. M'Grath, 5 yards ... 2 T. M'Grath, 2 yards ... 3 Third Race (200 yards) for Boys from 12 to 14 years. T. Dunn, 3 yards ... 1 J. "Wilkinson, 5 yards ... 2 W. Kane, scratch, and W. Morgan, 10 yards, tied for third place. The final race between the above ten competitors of 200 yards handicap, resulted, after a most exciting race, in favor of the following : W. Morgan, Greenstone, 11 yards .. ... 1 E. Mulvihill, 13yatds ... 2 W. Kane, scratch, and W. Gilbert, 13 yards (ties) 3rd. The tie was to be run off, but as the boys were quite exhausted, the handicapper (Mr Duogan) awarded a prize (a pocket ink-bottle) to each. A Grand Challenge Handicap Race for girls of the same ages, and under the same conditions, for /.which the following valuable prizes were given: alarum clock, value .£1 2s 6d, Ist; shell box, 2nd ; album, 3rd, was, after a close race of 150 yards, carried off by ' E. Mi:rtha,'B v'ards ... 1 K. O'Flaherty," 3 yards ... 2 H. Ryau, 5 yards ... 3 j A Handicap for'Bays from 6 to 8 ended in a tie for first place between ! A. Pkff and H.;o'Flaherty, A. Cornif-! fee taking thud place. i Another Handicap for Boys from 6j to 8 was won by M. M'Grath, with T. • Corniffee 2t)d, : ,and P. Galligan 3rd. i A and Hurdle Race i

was carried off by T. Wilkinson ; a 200 yards handicap and a Hurdle Race by T. Dunn, and a Hurdle Race by W. Kane, with M. Harrison 2nd, and W. Marsh 3rd. Among the girls the following races deserve special mention :—l5O yards handicap won by A. Trahy, with M. Long 2nd; and a handicap for those under eight, won by C. Wilkinson, with T. Ryan 2nd. . Valuable and useful prizes were given for the foregoing events ; and in the Collar and Elbow Wrestling, seventeen prizes were awarded, as there was not time to test the prowess of the victors by wrestling dff; The second nieal was served at 2 o'clock and consisted of a most liberal' supply of sandwiches; cake, buns; biscuits, lollies, nuts, and tea. Another meal was taken in the evening about 6.30, in the shape of a liberal allowance of buns, cake, biscuits, gingerbeer, lollies, nuts, etc ; after which a race for the band (in uniform) was decided, resulting in a victory for Kitig, with Martini second. Three cheers given for the band, followed by the Tug-of-War, brought the sports to a closed The Rev. Father Devoy, prior to distributing the prizes, expressed his great satisfaction with the manner in which both children and adults had enjoyed themselves that day, and he trusted when 1882 shall have run its course, they would all be in good health and spirits to usher the new year in the manner they had now done. Three hearty cheers were given for the Rev. Father Devoy, and three more for the Picnic Committee; when, darkness setting in, parents and children wended their ways home, well pleased with the day's amusement.