SCHOOL PICNIC.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1009, 20 February 1912, Page 2

SCHOOL PICNIC.

Many little children were sad early on Monday morning when they heard the rain pelting down, and at the thought that their longlooked for railway excursion and picnic would have to be knocked on the head. The sky still frowned and the rain fell as the hour for the departure of the train drew near. The youngsters, however, were more optimistic of the weather than their parents, besides numbers of the excursion tickets had been disposed of and children failed to see why they the and their parents should be done out of the individual elevenpenniworth and two shillliugs worth of train ride. So despite the Foxton weather, about four hundred children and parents boarded the train en route for the Ashhurst Domain. Many of the little ones had travelled long distances and the committeemen and headteacher couldn’t find it in their hearts to postpone this juvenile great event. There was very little room to spare in the carriages, and had the weather held fine the train would have been over-crowded-The train moved off as the rain cine down, but there was great glee aboaru. The committee decided to approach the Ashhurst Racing Club, whose fine property adjoins the domain for the use ui the grand stand, etc., for shelter. Upon arrival at Ashhurst, the weather conditions were more favourable, and Mr Vincent and the racing club secretary placed the buildings at the disposal of the committee. After the children had been regaled with refreshments, races were indulged in, and before noon the sun shone forth, and the children visited the domain and the gorge and spent a very enjoyable time, Mr Perreau, the caterer, provided an abundance of food, and there was plenty of hot water and milk available. There were no mishaps of any sort during the day and the children entrained tor home delighted with the outing. The committee and teaching staff, assisted by parents, worked willingly to ensure the success of the outing. The general opinion is that the outing should be made an annual one-