Mr H. D. Bell's Picnic.

Manawatu Herald, 13 January 1894, Page 3

Mr H. D. Bell's Picnic.

e««fnwi«v f Wednesday) will be

loQg reftteftlberetl aa *. rt>.& leitm «„,, by the 1600 ov liiore tiiei}, VroriieH) atld Children Who accepted the iuVittttlott of Mr 11. D..8e1l to spent! the iiftern'oori dt his beautiful Scstt at Lowry Bay (says the Press) The weather was made to order, the waters of our noble harbour were rippled by a gentle, cool southerly air, which was just sufficient to give steerage way to the yachts and sailing boats which dotted the broad expanse of water< and everybody was in raptures with the fortunate chance which had selected a day so perfect for the enjoyment of a pleasant hour or two on the briny deep, witli another enjoyable treat in the glades of the native bu9h with a view of WeUiflgtdttj Petotte,- and the surrounding scenery in the distance. We are disposed to think that Mr Bell found more supporters than he anticipated, for the original arrangements contemplated the conveyance of all the guests by the steamers Duco and Mana in one trip, and it was decided to start at 1.30. Long before the appointed time, pedestrians and tramcar and 'bus passengers thronged the Queen's "Wharf by hundreds, eager to be in time, and the Duco and Mana both left packed with humanity before their time, and the Stormbhd was put on, but although she must have had over 400 on board, the crowd was constantly augmented by fresh arrivals, and a second trip of the Duco at 2.30 cleared the wharf. By the time she arrived her passengers wondered where the only three steamer loads had disappeared to, for, except for a few scattered groups very few people were to be seen. However, the instructions were to " follow your nose " up the gully, and there : in the shaded paths, among birch trees and ferns and other magnificent native foliage was found a scene unequalled by anything ever seen in the colony. There were hnndreds of people in garbs of all descriptions, some seated on log 3, more wandering through the bush botanising, and others in search of something with which to stay the cravings of hunger and thirst promoted by the sea air; In due course everyone appeared to have his or her desires gratified, for there was a wealth of eatables and drinkables, the latter being of the true blue ribbon brand. Messrs Oodber and Bowley had charge of the commissariat, and they must possess considerable powers of organisation to have succeeded in transplanting the contents of apparently all the confectioners' shops, the strawberry beds, the lemonade factories and the ice cream loboratories in the city and suburbs to this snug little rustic retreat. We know Mr Bell to be able in dispensing law, but when he yesterday, with a long spoon in evidence, rapidly dealt out ice creams from a ten gallon keg with a pleasant word for each of his numerous clients, we felt that we had done him a great injustice in looking upon him as a lawyer only ; others of his committee, notably Mr T. J. Gait, Mr Campbell, worked like galley slaves in seeing that no one went hungry or thirsty. A limpid little creek which courses its way down the glen, supplied water for ten -malting purposes, and all were satisfied and delighted. Swings suspended from the branches of trees in several places afforded recreation for the o ive branches who swarmed all over the place, and the enlivening strains of Minifies band woke the echoes up amongst the hills. Hera and there, in more sequestered quarters, and alone the beach, might be seen pairs of lovers discussing present and future bliss, and small boys, with upturned nether garments, disporting themselves in the shallow waters o£ the bay. On the departure of the boats on the return journey, Mr Bell received hearty cheers from his guests, aad he may be congratulated on having successfully instituted a new and pleasing method of recognising the fact .that the obligations and good feeling between a representative and his constituency do not end with the declaration of the Returning Officer. Nothing happened to mar the enjoyment of the afternoon, and the great gathering dispersed to their home* with a universal expression of gratification consequent upon the combination of Mr Bell's hospitality and the tnagnificience of the weather.