MATAMATA SCHOOL PICNIC.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 72, 7 March 1918, Page 3

MATAMATA SCHOOL PICNIC.

■An Enjoyable Day. On Friday; last th&' Matamata District High school held its annual picnic on Mr J. Pohlen’s property, ! hri’d J the function proved one- of the most successful yet held. The weather was line, being not too hot, and consequently ideal for a picnic. The canvass for funds made by the scholars, under the direction of the head master, had proved highly sue —some £33 being collectC^d— and thus the committee was again enabled to give every child in the school a prize. Considering that there are now over two hundred pupils at the school, the task-of continuing the latter practice was a hard one, but the response of the public was as usual up to expections and those present who had Contributed were quite satisfied by the expectant and later gratified looks on the children’s faces, that the action was to be commended. The books i were an admirable selection, and * will-do honor to many home libraries.

There was a particularly large attendance of parents and visitors, who also enthusiastically entered into the proceedihgs. The children-were provided- with midday and afternoon meals, while fruit was served round throughout the day. Lpllie scrambles were also held at periods.

In the afternoon main interest was centred in the races and games and some really good competition was witnessed. A re--1 markable feat was accomplished by Winnie Duxfield in the skipping competition the young lady skipping the great total of 1183 steps, defeating her nearest competitor by 472. Irene Wilton was second and RosO Egan third. The handicapping for the races

was efficiently and tactfully conducted by Mr G. H. Malcolm, who |.lso acted as starter. Great credit is due to the headmaster, teachers, school committed and their wives and their friends, for the general excellence of the[ arrangements, and for the great-success which attended the function. Everything passed off to the entire satisfaction of all, and the children were afforded

one of the best picnics. Special mention should also be made of ,the g'reat amount of work done ""by the chairman of committee, 'Mr J. Pohlen, and Messrs S. Gunn (secretary), W. Egan and B. Schwarz. The results of the principal racing events‘ Were as follow : ' Girls, 5 and 7 . years, Maisie Free 1, Nancy Hope 2, Beatrice Yardley 3. Boys, 5 and 7 years, C. Clarke 1, R. Williamson 2, J. Simpson 3. Gins*,*7 and - over, Kathleen f Darragh 1, Henrietta Williams 2, Lulu Mogford 3. Boys,r 7 and over, Laurence Roberts 1, Stan. Egan 2, Edgar Yanko 3.

Girls, 9 and over, M. Simpson 1, G. Downie D; Egan 3. Boys, 9 and over, J. Kelso 1, D. Bishop 2, B. Keqnedy,3. Girls, 11 and over,’L. Miles 1, F. Gunn 2, V. Kusabs 3. Boys, 11 and, oyer, B, Simpson 1, A Scott 2, H; Laird 3. v Girlsi, 13 and oyer,R, Egan 1, E. Mogford 2, H. Green 3. Boys, 13 and over, J. Downie 1, W. Hilcoat 2, E. Johnston 3. Sack race, Earl Johnston 1, L. Roberts 2, D. Reynolds 3. Egg and Spoon race, L. Edwards 1. Thread-needle race, Miss J. Buckley and Roy Dawson 1, Miss 0. Miles and Ronald Devey 2. Girl’s race, 300 yards (gold • brooch), Hazel Green 1, L. Simpson 2, Rose Egan 3. Boys race, 440 yards (Hosking’s gold medal), W. Hilcoat 1,- E. Johnston 2, E. Green 3. ~I - Three-legged race, D. Reynolds and Yanko 1, E. Johnston and E. Green 2. Three-legged race (girls), M. Free and E. Stewart 1, D. Heaps and A. Rainger 2. Three-legged race (2), Rose Egan and Hazel Green 1, L. Miles and L. Edtvards 2. Boys three-legged race (2), W. Hope and L. Kennedy 1, Pat \Pelaney and H. Blackburn 2. Boys race, 330 yards (pair spurs), L. Roberts 1, C. Vincent 2. Consolation race (boys), Roy Egan 1, Harold Blackburn 2, Gerald Fitzgerald 3. Consolation race (girls), Trixie Stevens 1, Ethel McNair 2, • Beatrice' Edwards 3. Boxing (senior boys), Ben Simpson 1, Keith Buckley 2. Married Ladies race, Mrs J. J. 'THolmesl, Mrs R. Burke 2.