THOUSANDS AT PICNICS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 905, 24 February 1930, Page 14

THOUSANDS AT PICNICS

WEEK-END EXCURSIONS FROM CITY ORGANISED OUTINGS Picnickers embarked in thousands on excursions during the week-end. Motutapu Island, Pine Island, Cornwall Park, Maraetai, Waiheke Island and TJrquhart’s Bay were among the popular excursion places. The Auckland Municipal Officers’ Social Club held its annual picnic on Saturday at Pine Island. Mr. Walter Smith’s band attended and arrangements were successfully conducted for the attendance of 200 by the committee and the secretaries, Messrs. D. J. Williams and F. Gwilliam. The vicepresident, Mr. Somerville, presented prizes in the events, which resulted:—Men’s Invitation. Race, 100yds.—D. B. Adam, 1; J. Barle, 2; D. Livingstone, o. Women’s Invitation Race, 75yds: Miss C. Brown, 1; Miss G. Pearson, 2; Miss Hammond, 3. Married Women’s Race, oOvds: Mrs. Delieu. 1; Mrs. Mollet, 2; Mrs. Miller, 3. Three-legged Race (men and women), 75yds: Miss Hammond and Mr. D. Adam, 1: Mrs. Mollet and J. Williams, 2. Women’s Championship, 75yds: Miss M. Davey, 3; Miss I. Neilson, 2; Miss M. Free, 3. Junior Championship. 100yds: R. H. Pow, 1. Stepping the Chain (old buffers): J. Tyler, 1: W. McMillan, 2; H. Donald, 3. Senior Championship, 100yds: D. J. Williams, 1; T. Bender, 2; J. W'illiams, 3. Women’s Handicap, 75yds: Miss Lile, 1: Miss J. Dive, 2; Miss I. Neilson,

3. Cigarette Race, 100yds: Mrs. Mollet and J. Williams, 1: Miss J. Dive and D. .T Williams, 2. Club Members’ Wives, 75yds: Mrs. C. Bland, 1; Mrs. S. Loner - gan, 2; Mrs. C. F. Fowler, 3. Open Handicap, 100yds: E. Day and R. Pow, 1; C. Tilby, 3. Walking Race (old buffers), 100yds: H. Donald, 1; C. Widdicombe, 2. Heads of Departm-ents Race, 75yds: P. Notley, 1. Old Buffers’ Race, 75yds: N. Kenny, 1; IT. Donald, 2; W. Smith, 3. Inter-departmental Relay: Engineer’s Department (Messrs. D. .T. Williams, J. “Williams, R. Pow and V. Coleman), 1; Sanitary Department (Messrs. Day, Lonergan, Tilby and Turley), 2. OUTING AT MARAETAI

From the four branches of C. L. Innes and Company, Limited, at Auckland, Plamilton, Te Kuiti and Taumarunui, about 180 people attended the picnic held on Saturday at Duder’s Beach, Maraetai. Sports results: Children’s Race (girls): R. McDowell, 1; L. Nicholls, 2; M. Cole, 3. Children’s Race (boys): B. Patterson, 1; R. Ingram, 2; D. Percy, 3. Men’s Race (under 30): M. O’Halloran, 1; C. Walker, 2; J. Hynes, 3. Women’s Race (under 25): Mrs. Mathews, 1; Miss Turley, 2; Mrs. Long, 3. Sack Race (men): R. Sercombe, 1; D. Ashdown, 2; D. Patterson, 3. Tug-of-war (Auckland v. Hamilton): Auckland (Calder, Dixon, Ferrif, Jackson, Russell). Married Women’s Race: Mrs. Sherry, 1; Mrs. Brooks, 2; Mrs. McGeachan, 3. Youths’ Race (under 21): J. L. Innes, 1; D. Ashdown, 2; R. Patterson, 3. Hamilton Brance, Men’s Race: J. Hynes, 1; A. Smith, 2; M. O’Halloran, 3. Auckland Branch, Men’s Race: H. Jackson, 1; F. Crosley, 2; N. Leadbeater, 3. Staff Championship (Mr. F. T. Innes’ medal): M. O’Halloran and J. Hynes (dead-heat). Relay Race (Auckland v. Hamilton): Auckland (Sercombe, Crosby, Dixon, Innes). EVENT AT MOTUTAPU About 600 attended the annual picnic at Motutapu on Saturday of the employees of Henderson and Bollard. Mr. H. H. Pollard, chairman of directors, Mrs. Pollard, who presented the prizes, Mr. J. Hattersly, general secretary, and Mrs. Hatetrsly, attended. Results:— Championship Handicap, 100yds.—S. Diamond, 1 (silver cup); IT. Grimmer, 2. Shop Handicap (up to 19 years), 100yds: A. Finlayson. 1; W. Cordes, 2. Apprentices’ Handicap. 100yds: S. Diamond, 1 (gold medal); A. Finlayson, 2. Single Women’s Race, 75yds: Miss Garrard, 1; Miss Lane, 2. Relay Challenge Race (cup), 75yds: Winning team, T. Harvey (eapt.), G. Whitcombe, D. Cuneen, G. Strong, S. Bow. Married Women’s Race, 75yds: Mrs. Gordon Pollard, 1; Mrs. IST. Grimmer, 2. Shop Race, 75yds: T. Harvey, 1; C. Haynes, 2. Tug-of-war (challenge cup): Winners, C. Turner (capt.), A. Harvey, E. Oowden, G. Talantyne, J. Henderson, F. Morris and B. O. Tylcoat. Women’s Egg and Spoon Race, 75yds: Mrs. Allan, 1; Miss Saunders, 2. Wheelbarrow Race, 50yds: E. Haynes and S. Diamond, 1. Women’s Nail-driving Competition: Miss Saunders, 1; Mrs. Tomkin, 2. Men’s Race (over 40 years): J. Henderson, 1; G. Walker, 2. Married Women (over 40 years): Mrs. Flaxman, 1; Mrs. W. Saunders, 2. Women’s and Men’s Three-legged Race: S. Diamond and Miss Saunders. Married Men’s Race (up to 45): N. Grimmer, 1; T. Harvey, 2. Tandem Race, blindfolded: R. Hattersly and Miss Tomkin. Guessing Competition: Mrs. McKinstry, 1; Mrs. Bowden, 2. MOTOR TRADE PICNIC Results at the third annual picnic of the North Auckland branch of the New Zealand Motor Trade Association, held at Urquhart’s Bay, were: Girls, under nine.—First heat: Jean McDonald, 1; Audrey Going, 2. Second heat: Kathleen Reynolds, 1; Zelda Keene and Laura Going, equal, 2. Final, Zelda Keene, 1; Kathleen Reynolds, 2. Boys, under 9: Jack Green, 1; Eric Weston. 2; Robert Adams, 3. Girls, under 11: Nancy "Weston, 1; Jean Reynolds, 2. Boys, under 11: Desmond Dixon, 3; Harold Going, 2. Girls, under 33: Joyce Brown, 3; Audi-ey Going, 2. Boys-, under 13: Eric Weston, 3 ; Charlie Shepherd, 2. Single Women. 50yds: Miss Weston, 1; Miss Going, 2. Married Women, 50yds: Mrs. Child, 1; Mrs. Wilson, 2. All Comers, 100yds: S. Courtney, 1; A. Kirkwood, 2. Novelty Race: Jean Reynolds and Fred Reynolds, 1: Kathleen Reynolds and Athol McKenzie, 2. Married Men’s Race: L. Weston, 1; R. F. Anderson, 2. THREE EXCURSIONS At the annual picnic at Pine Island of the Old Coromandel County Boys’ Association, results in the sports were: Old Boys’ Championship, 100yds.—R. Denize, 1; D. Coll, 2. Old Girls’ Championship, 75yds: Mrs. Loram and Mrs*. JTmerali, 1. Women Visitors’ Race, 75 yds: Miss Reynolds, 1; Miss Forest, 2. Men Visitors’ Race, 100yds: E. Friend and R. Bright., 1. Manned Women’s Race, 75yds: Mrs. Ward, 1; Mrs. Froggart, 2. Married Men’s Race, 75vds: J. McLeod, 1; S. Brunton, 2. Three-legged Race: Miss Reynolds and Mr. Donald, 1* Mrs. Walker and Mr. R. Denize, 2. Hop, Step and Jump: Bright. 1: Farrell, 2. Cake Weight-guessing: Mrs. Dunster, 1. People attending the jubilee picnic of the Auckland Zionist Society travelled on the Condor yesterday to Motutapu. Before the presentation of prizes to the sports winners the president, the Rev. S. A. Goldstein, addressed members. Many pioneers attended the annual picnic at Cornwall Park on Saturday of the Old Thames Girls’ Association There were visitors from the Thames and the Te Arolia districts.

PACKED TRAINS

PICNICS WELL PATRONISED Three excursion trains from Frankton to Rotorua carried about 2,000 members of combined friendly societies to the health resort for a picnic. Two trains were scheduled to run, but so many prospective passengers were offering that a third had to be put on. An excursion from Te Kuiti to Tau-1-anga was also well patronised, the weather being ideal for picnics.

NORTHERN BOOT COMPANY

The employees of the Northern Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Company held a picnic at Waikowhai Park on Saturday afternoon. The retiring manager, Mr. Tregaskis, addressed the gathering. and a bouqeut was presented to Mrs. Tregaskis by 'Miss Dalziell. The afternoon concluded with three cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Tregaskis.

ST. JAMES

“GOLD DIGGERS OF BROADWAY”

Although now in the last week of its season at St. James Theatre, “Gold Diggers of Broadway,” the spectacular all-talking and colour Warner Brothers’ and Vitaphone production, continues to attract large and appreciative houses. Winnie Lightner, an established favourite of the Broadway stage, has the leading role as one of a party of four chorus girls who indulge in “gold digging” operations among their wealthy admirers. Apart from the entertaining plot and the sterling portrayals of the principals, the film is notable for the excellent dancing and singing which have been included. Conway Tearle, Ann Pennington. Nancy Welford and Nick Lucas, “the crooning troubadour,” appear in prominent parts in support of Miss Lightner.

“DRAG OF THE FAMILY”

NEW RICHARD BARTHELMESS FILM Two leading ladies support Richard Barthelmess in his latest First National picture, “Drag of the Family,” which comes to the Majestic Theatre on Friday. One, Lila Lee, is a brunette; the other, Alice Day, is a blonde. The blonde has the best of it at the start, for she marries the hero; but they do not live happily ever after. Too many “in-laws” is the cause. The bride puts her family first in all things, which leads to a great big opportunity of which the brunette takes advantage, and she comes in first at the finish. Both are nice, well-meaning girls, und if it hadn’t been for the blonde’s family complex everything would probably have been smooth and happy in the domestic life of David Carroll—as Dick Barthelmess is called in “Drag.” The picture includes a very elaborate musical show staged on the most lavish Broadway scale. It is called “The Love Prince” and the haunting and seductive central melody is “My Song of the Nile.”

TIVOLI

In “The Mississippi Gambler,” now at the Tivoli Theatre, Schildkraut plays the role of a colourful, picturesque gambler on the stern-wheel packets of the Civil War period—a role which, though entirely different both in characterisation and story from the glamorous Ravenal in “Show Boat”— still retains the tremendous appeal of that role without in any wise being a repetition of it. Beautiful Joan Bennett, widely hailed as one of the younger “finds” of the screen, supports Schildkraut in the leading feminine part, that of Lucy Blackburn, the “thorough-bred” daughter of an aristocratic Southerner, whose ladylike “gameness” leads to one of the most uniquely dramatic climaxes ever screened. The splendid supports are headed by another big talkie, “The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu,” starring Warner Oland.

CRYSTAL PALACE, MT. EDEN

“The Trespasser,” the sensational talkie drama starring Gloria Swanson, will have its final presentation at the Crystal Palace Theatre. Mount * Eden Road, this'evening. This will probably be the last opportunity for some time of hearing Miss Swanson’s splendid singing voice. From tomorrow the Crystal Palace will present an entirely new programme, headed by “The Last of Mrs. an amusing comedy drama ot English society based on the famous play. Norma Shearer has the leading role.

GREY LYNN CINEMA

’Bulldog Drummond.” which continues to be shown at the Grey Lynn C inema, is the delightfully entertainmg story of the search for adventure of a demobilised English officer. Ronald Colman has the leading role, with Joan Bennett as Phyllis and Lilyan Tashman and Claude Allister in supporting roles. Several talkie featurettes are also being screened.

STRAND

SUCCESS OF “RIO RITA” Brilliant costumes, picturesque bacfcgrounds and lavish settings lend a curiously colourful note to “Rio Rita"’ which continues to be shown at the Strand Theatre. To a public which has been accustomed to accept an uninspiring background of black and white as an ipdispensable accompaniment of motion pictures, “Rio Rita” comes as a revelation, and its increasing popularity goes to show that the innovation has found favour in the eyes of Auckland picture patrons. Unlike some of the productions which have attended the advent of talking pictures, however. “Rio Rita’’ does not depend entirely on spectacular scenic effects to attract the attention of the public. It contains a clearly-defined plot, rich in interesting episodes and by no means devoid of humour. The acting is also of a high standard. Bebe Daniels, a charming and vivacious actress with a score of successes on the silent screen to her credit, has the leading role, revealing herself as the possessor of an attractive singing voice, as well as of considerable histrionic ability. John Boles, who has the leading male role, also appears to advantage, while lie is ably supported by Bert Wheeler, Robert Woolsey, Dorothy Lte and Georges Benevant. The action of the story takes place in the mountain of Mexico, where a daring captain of the Texas Rangers is seeking a notorious bandit. Many complications ensue before the picture comes to a satisfactorily happy ending, with, hero and heroine united, and the villain effectively thwarted.

PLAZA

“SUNNY SIDE UP" An entirely new Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell are revealed at th< Plaza Theatre when this famous pair of screen sweethearts appear in “Sunny Side Up.” Fox Movietone musical comedy. Miss Gaynor, who reveals a voice of rare charm, sings three songs, including “If I Had a Talking Picture of You,” the latter as a duet with Charles Farrell. Farrell, in the role of a society man from Southampton, acquits himself creditably in a light comedy part and sings in a manner that stamps him a? a real find in the talking picture musical comedy field. The story is fast, full of action and replete with excellent comedy. Unquestionably David Butler, the director, deserves unlimited applause for his production of “Sunny Side Up.’ which sets a new standard of entertainment for the audible screen. The Plaza’s programme also includes a number of short talking and singing features.

VICTORIA, DEVONPORT

“Father and Son,” the talking picture to be presented at the Victoria Theatre, Devonport, this evening, is an engrossing story of a man’s second marriage, and its effect on his little son. Jack Holt is the central figure, little Micky Mcßann the boy he loved, and Dorothy Revier the European wife. A full programme of bright supporting items is also being presented.

FINE PICTURES AT LYRIC

“The Show-down,” which is the chief item of the new double-feature picture programme at the Lyric Theatre, is a powerful drama of hate on the Mexican oilfields. Excellent characterisations are given by George Bancroft and Evelyn Brent and Neil Hamilton as the young lovers, and Fred Kohler as the villain. The second feature is “The Big Noise,” an amusing skit on municipal elections in America, starring Chester Conklin.