ORPHANS’ DAY OUT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 542, 20 December 1928, Page 10

ORPHANS’ DAY OUT

TRAVELLERS ENTERTAIN 700 CHILDREN PARTICIPATE Nearly 700 children from Auckland orphanages are having the time of their young lives to-day. For this is the day of the annual treat given by the Auckland Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemens’ Association. This is the seventh year of the treat and is known as “Orphans’ Day. ’ The big event is looked forward to just as eagerly by the travellers as by the children. At 8 o’clock this morning between 70 and 80 private cars and four motorbuses assembled at Luna Park, leaving there for a tour of the orphanages to pick up the crowds of excited children. The orphanages called at were: n.pworth Methodist, Mount Albert, Onehunga Presbyterian, Epsom Methodist, Richmond Road, Herne Bay, Salvation Army, St. Joseph’s (Takapuna), Brett Home, Manurewa. Papatoetoe, Leslie, Howick Convent. A large number of boarded-out orphans were also called for. To avoid congestion the children were* divided into two groups of approximately 300 each, the first group arriving at Luna Park at 9 o’clock and the second at 10.30. THRILLS ON THE WHIP The management of Luna Park turned Auckland’s amusement ground over to the children free of charge for the whole morning, and the attendants gave their services free. The grounds were packed with youngsters, who gave themselves up to the joys of the various devices, exploring the river caves, sampling the thrills of the “whip,” and braving the perils of the dark passages leading into the fun-factory. The slides in the fun-factory should wear a brilliant polish this afternoon, after the wear and tear they got this morning. The roundabouts were packed and the caterpillar, as usual, was a prime favourite with the small children. Morning tea was provided for the 60 or 70 adults, among Ahem being the matrons of the various homes. An ingenious system of colour division enabled the busy commercial travellers to sort the first group out preparatory to taking them up to the Town Hall for lunch, and at 10.50 the first group moved ofT from Luna Park in cars, headed by a motor-lorry containing Mr. W. H. Prentis, president of the Auckland Commercial Travellers’ Association, a Santa Claus dressed in flowing red robes, and a complete set of white whiskers, and a band. A long train of cars packed with children followed. LOADS OF GOOD THINGS Long tables loaded with good things of all descriptions were laid in the supper-room of the Town Hall in preparation for the influx of hungry youngsters, and a crowd of busy volunteer helpers were kept on the run attending to the requirements of nearly 400 children. The second group sat down for lunch at 12.15. The Town Hall was given free for the day. This afternoon the children were taken for a trip round the harbour on the ferries, the different points of interest being explained to them by their hosts. The ferries have been given fiee for the day. When they return this afternoon they will be entertained at a concert given by the travellers in the Town Hall, and tea will follow.

The last item on the day’s programme will be a very important one to the kiddies. Before being taken to their homes again, each child will be given a present as a* souvenir of the great day. The total cost of the outing to the Travellers’ Association will be between £ 400 and £SOO.

“Money well spent, too,” said one commercial man. “We all enjoy it and look forward to it as much as the kiddies.”

The exact number of children taking part is 693, and between 60 and 70 adults.