MOUTOA SCHOOL PICNIC.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2551, 6 March 1923, Page 2

MOUTOA SCHOOL PICNIC.

The people of Moutoa, who have hitherto prided themselves on the super-excellence of their school picnics formerly held in their home pastures, this year made a new departure and adjourned bodily to the far-famed beauteous Foxton Beach on Friday last. The. sight of the fast receding tide immediately suggested a swim and a rush was made for the water where those who could swim displayed their skill and those who could not got delightfully wet. Ganies followed and then lunch, the latter varied and unlimited sandwiches and cakes -washed down with the local ambrosial nectar, otherwise called tea. After the races, duiing which young and old, including grandmothers, enjoyed themselves immensely, a treasure hunt for the little ones came, during which they disappeared in the midst of a crowd of interested and helpful on-lookers and reappeai'ed presently, flushed and dishevelled, but each clasping a real treasure, whistle, watch, or toy, joyfully found with their own little fingers in the sand. A little do-as-we-please period followed and then after a “wee bit snack” preparations for departure were made, hastenedjio doubt by visions of re-proachful-eyed cows and moonlight milkings. The first lorry, importantly full of grown-ups, made a fine start amidst cheers, but came to an ignominious halt, further down in the wet sand which resulted in the passengers having to get out and push. The second lorry, laden with jovial youth, and nothing daunted, started to show how much better it could do —and sunk just a little deeper a little further on! Its crew blythely descended and stepped out for the road terminus, leaving a sadder and wiser car to retrace its way to a shorter but steeper bye-way. The homeward way was unadventurous, but punctuated by cheers which were generously and impartially distributed alike to the smiling faces in tlie door-ways of Foxton and the solitary way-fa refs on the highway. Like hundreds of other picnics, probably, but still a happy and pleasant day for the children to remember for all time. Mention should be m'ade of the photographer on the roof who seemed to make good use of his opportunities much to the wrath of ladies making tea or engaged in various pursuits —one cannot always be looking ones best. Heaps of praise is due to the popular headmaster, Mr J. Aitken, and his first assistant, Mrs Bagnall and to all others who assisted to make the outing such a decided success.