The Reporter

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 35, 25 November 1893, Page 9

The Reporter

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

THE ANNUAL OUTING,

Perseverance is a grand quality. The committee of management in connection with the local Friendly Societies’ annual demonstration must possess an unlimited supply of it. In no other way can we account for the manner in which they triumphed over adverse circumstances and succeeded in having their annual outing. It was originally fixed for the 9th, but the weather that day was hopelessly wet, and the event was put off till the following Wednesday. This proved an encore to the 9th so far as weather was concerned, and with two such rebuffs as these most people would have collapsed and ceased to struggle against an adverse fate. Not so the “ Friendlies.” They simply ordered another postponement, and on Wednesday last had

their patience rewarded. ; The weather even then was not of tho best, and there had been ominous reports from sundry weather prophets j but the. rain held off,.and early in the morning a good many people made up their minds to spend the day’ at Riverton. About 3 0 journeyed by the morning train, and some 7-‘-0 by the afternoon special, so that financially the Societies will come out on, the right side in their guarantee to the railway department. The secretary (Bro G. 8.. Brown) and Bros. J. S. (-hildie, Derbie, and J. Fredric went out by-the first train, and soon after their arrival initiat’d a series of children’s sports on the grassy slopes at Tail’s Point, the site of tho day’s doings. It was admirably' adapted for the purpose, albeit a shower which had ’ fallen iii the morning made tl«e grass less pleasant than it would otherwise have been.. The Rivertonians took the peaceful invasion of their streets and suburbs pretty.coolly—the two adjournments had damped their’ enthusiasm, but the members of one of’their institutions were very much and very pleasantly in. evidence —the brass band. Under tlie’conductorship of Mr J. Moore they met the visitors at the railway station, played for them on the grounds at frequent intervals, and discoursed sweet music as the train moved off on the homeward journey. But before this hour arrived the k diday makers crowded a good deal of enjoyment into the time at thoir disposal. The sports were carried on vigorously after the arrival of the second train, when the management was reinforced by the addition of Bros. Everett, Bloomfield, Carnahan, Gerstenkorn, Quarrie, Kissell, Gough and Humphries. Some L 9 or LlO worth of toysand confectionery were distributed in prizes, and the youngsters altogether had a delightful time. South Riverton possesses unrivalled facilities for picnic parties, who have at command bush and beach, valley and hill-top, and ere long every favourite nook and point of vantage was occupied. Fishing, shell gathering, fern collecting and other pastimes served, to pleasantly fill the hours, while some of the more prosaic-minded walked along the fine stretch of beach to obtain a view of the harbour that is to be, and doubtless pictured to themselves the time when, with stately ships riding at anchor in her waters, Riverton will be something more than the Brighton of the South. That, however, belongs to the future. Suffice it to say that our holiday-makers returned to town at 8.30 p.m., well pleased with their experiences, and ready to begin the battle of life with renewed zest after their all tjo brief contact with the ozone-laden breezes of South Riverton.