ST. PATRICK’S SCHOOL PICNIC.

Kumara Times, Issue 1981, 4 January 1883, Page 2

ST. PATRICK’S SCHOOL PICNIC.

♦ In accordance with instructions of the Rev. Father Walsh, the children attending St. Patrick’s School assembled at the grounds adjacent to St. Patrick’s Church at half past ten o’clock on the morning of New Year’s Day to hold their annual picnic. The weather was delightfully propitious, and no doubt tended, as such weather always does, to enhance the pleasures of the day’s proceedings. After some pieces had been played by St. Patrick’s School Fife and Drum Band, the children were formed into the order of procession, as follows : first, the Band (under the direction of Mr Richards), then the Boys, in pairs, and the Girls, also in pairs. They were marshalled by the Rev. Father Walsh, parish priest, Mr Duggan, head teacher of St. Patrick’s School, and the members of the Catholic Picnic Committee. The procession, numbering 257 children, then marched, in the most orderly manner, along Tui, Main, and Seddon streets, and returned by Fifth street to the grounds again, where they were served with a plentiful supply of sandwiches, buns, cake, and tea. The sports of the day then commenced. The following is a list of the chief events, for which valuable prizes were awarded, amounting in the aggregate to about (including several handsome prizes given by the Rev. Father Walsh) : 100 yards Race, for Boys from 6 to 8 years old, T. Phelan ... ... 1 J. Phelan ... ... 2 J. Lowden .., ... 3 This was a well-contested race. The first prize proved to be a suit of clothes, presented by Mr Carey, manager at Messrs Mansou and Co.’s drapery establishment.

100 yards Race, for Boys from 8 to 10 years of age. B. Sheedy ... ... 1 J. Murphy ... ... 2 P. Ryan... ... ... 3 Grand Challenge Handicap, for Boys from 8 to 14 years. W. Morgan (Greenstone) 1 P. O’Loughlan 2 T. Wilkinson ... ... 3 This was a most exciting race. First prize, an alarm clock, valued at .£1 2s

6d ; second prize, a pair of bats and cricket ball; third prize, an album, valued at 15s. Grand Challenge Handicap, for Girls from 8 to 14 years. H. Griffin 1 H. Ryan... ... ... 2 E. Murtha ... ... 3 First prize, a concertina; second, a lady’s companion ; third, an album. Special Prize—A Lady’s pair of satin slippers, beautifully worked (presented by Mr Wall, bootmaker, Main street). H. Ryan... ... ... 1 E. Murtha ... ... 2 H. Griffin ... ... 3 Running High Jump. T. Wilkinson ... ... 1 P. Fitzsimons ... ... 2 J. Wilkinson ... ... 3 Collar and Elbow Wrestling. The following, after throwing their opponents, were awarded prizes :—J. Murtha, P. Fitzsimmons, F. White, J. Costello, P. Wilkinson, H. O’Flaherty, F' O’Loughlan, J. Lawrence. A second meal was served to the children at 3.30 p.m., their number having by this time increased to about 300. The third meal was paataken of at 6 p.m., followed by a distribution of lollies, &c. A large number of parents and friends of the children visited the grounds during the day. A merry-go-round was fixed in the paddock, and the children enjoyed themselves immensely. Prior to the distribution of prizes Mr P. Dungan addressed those present, directing his remarks chiefly to the children in congratulation upon the great success that had attended the picnic. He also thanked the Band for their very efficient assistance, and complimented Mr Richards for the great results he had produced in so short a time. The Rev. Father Walsh responded on behalf of the children , and this brought to a close one of the most successful picnics ever held in Kumara.