MERCER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 260, 29 December 1914, Page 4

MERCER.

PUBLIC SCHUOL PICNIC AND PRIZE DISTKIBUTIUN.

The annual school picnic of children attending the Mercer Public School was held at Mercer on Friday, Lfec. 18th, when some 200 children and parents celebrated the occasion. The majority of the business places of the township closed for the afternoon.

During the morning various games were played by the children in the school ground, and when lunch hour came round both parents and children were treated to refreshments by the School Committee out of funds collected from concerts, socials, etc. lb the early part of the afternoon the throng adjourned to the Mercer river bank, near the Maori pa, where sports, capably controlled by Mr C. T. Edwards (headmaster) asristed by Miss F. A. Frost, Mess is C. Lan:on an:! H, Bilderbeck (tijiidicappers ir.d Etaners) and Messrs J. Barion and A. Sergeant in charge of the tape, took place. The races resulted as follows:

Boys' races. -14 years and over: Hector Lee 1, George Bevan 2. George Trcgoweth 3. 13 years: Douglas Soppett 1, Graham Higgins 2. 12 years: Walter Lee 1, Harold lregoweth 2. 11 years: Willie Bevan 1, Eric Ridgley 2. 10 years: Alan Sellwcod 1, Denis Cronin 2. 9 year?: Ror.ald Walsh 1, Alex Davies 2.

In the races for children 8 years of age and under, the winner had the choice of prizes, the balance beirg oistiibuted to the ;other competitors. Married men's race.—This race wai keenly contested. Mr A. Sergeant wincing from Mr H. Wyati by a foot. During his term as a scholar at the Mercer school the winner won no less than 16 races.

Single men's race.—This race,

1 ike the married men's rac?, proved

une ot the most exciting of the day. Mr Chlt'oid went to the front in the ea'ly part of the lace and rem lined there throughout, winning by inchC3 from Mr S. Wright. Married ladies' race.—For ladies 30 jears of age aid over. The prize was a gsnaar presented by Mr C Landon. The ladies showed a fair turn of speed, in the race, which wa3 won by Mtb Stokes. 01! girls' race. —Mis3 Ridgley 1, Mies M. Roose 2. Girl's race, 8 years and under.—

th 1 . puzs for the winner of this race was a handsome sleeping doll prestnted by Mr Clifford. Ruth El wood pa;sed the tape first, having a rather easy win.

The "Baby Show," which was one of the mot»t popular items of the day, was entered into with great spirit, fully a dozen babies being exhibited, lhe judge, Mr L. O'Bihn, awarded first prize to liitle Eileen Gregory, 18-months old. The win appeared to be a popular one. At the conclusion of lhe sports parents and children adjourned to the schcol ground where refreshments were sgain provided, the Misses M. Carter, K. Sweeney B. Wright, and Messrs C. T. Edwards and S. Wright looking after their wants. Prizes in connection with the school-work during the year, consisting of books kindly presented by Mr Edwards, were handed the respective winners by Mr H. Biluerbeck, chairman of the Schcol

committee. Mr Bilderbeck thanked Mr Edwards on behalf of the School Committee, scholars and parents for his generosity, and mentioned ttat it was only a repalition of what Mr

Edwards had dune for years past. The interest Mr Edwards and" the other teachers had taken in the scholars was evident by the excellent report the inspector had given the children, and al?o the repoit he bad made in reference to the school grounds. In conclusion, Mr Bilderbeck thanked the School Committee and all those people who had helped during the day. Ihres cheers were called for their headmaster by the school children at the conclusion of the presentations and were lustily gi vet:.