SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION ANNUAL FESTIVAL.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 331, 5 January 1889, Page 3

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNI ON ANNUAL FESTIVAL.

The annual festival of ilio Auckland Sunday School Union took place in the Domain yesterday, and \\a* one of the principal centres ot enjoyment. The scholars and toaehei* belonging to the \arious branches ot the Union assembled at their respect-he Sunday-schools at an early hour in the morning, and proceeded to the Domain in the following order :—: — Tabernacle Baptist !S<;hool, about 500 scholars. 60 teacher.* : Mr Y. Battley superintendent. Alexandra-street Primithe Methodist School, 300 scholar.- and 28 teacher* ; IVJr D. Goldie superintendent Pitt and Edwin street. 4 - Primitive Methodist School 120 scholars and 15 teachers ; Mr George Turley superintendent. Newton Congregational School, 400 scholar? and 36 teacher.- ; Mr Enoch Wood, j superintendent. Franklin Road Primitive Methodist ' School, 180 Hcholais and 16 teachers ; Mr YVm. Mooic superintendent Pifct street United Methodist School. Union-street Wesleyan School. St James's Presbyterian School, 400 scholars and 50 teachers. : Mr. l. Brownlee superintendent. Beresford - street Congregational, 250 scholars and 20 teachers ; Mr H. Tudehope superintendent. St. Andrew's Presbyterian School, 140 scholars and 40 teachers : Mr Alex. Winks superintendent. Pitt-street Wesleyan School, 400 scholar?, 45 teachers ; Mr George Win&bone superintendent. The Mount Eden Baptist School with 150 scholars and 20 teachers (Mr JF. Andrews superintendent) joined the procession at the Domain gate*. The schools funning th*. procession assembled at Kuiangahape Road, between Upper <^ueen and Pitt Stieets, and at the junction ot Rutland and Grey Streets, and marched to the Domain by way of Symonds-street and Grafton Road. On arrival at the Domain the schools were dismissed, and proceeded to their quarters, where tents had been erected and provision made for a day's enjoyment. Each school had to provide its own amusements and furnish a tent for provision*. Swinirs were allowed on the express condition that they were u&ed by the younger scholars only, and it is pleasing to note that no accident, either from this or any other source, has been reported. All schools partook of luncheon at 12.30, and tea at 4 30 p.m., the positions taken up being generally those occupied last year. Mr S. H. Matthews was the recognised manager for the day. and he was ably assisted by the superintendents and teachers ! of the different schools, so that the fete proved one of the most successful yet held. During the day, at the invitation of Miss Grindrod, matron at the Hospital, the choir of the Newton Congregational school pioceeded to that institution and rendered several musical selection* for the benefit of the inmates. The Rev. Mr Lewis make a few remark* and engaged in prayer, after which the choir returned to the Domain and joined in the general amusement.

WATER EXCURSIONS. The extremely fine weather which prevailed yosterdav induced a very large number of people to patronise the numerous water excursions, and we can safely say that the various terry t> Learners and other uteam boats running on excursion tripe, carried

more people to tho various holiday resorts than they havodone on any proviousholiday. Several thousands of people visited the North Shore by tho Dovonport Ferry Co.'s steamers, which ran extra trips during the day. Owing to the greatly-felt want of a wharf at the Lake Beach, the Company wero unable to put on steamers to that locality. Perhaps the best-patronised seaside resort was St. Holier's Bay, to which the Devonport Forry Co. ran frequent trips during the day, conveying to the favourite watering - place between two and three thousand people during the day. The Bay was tho rendezvous of the Salvation Army, who, to the number of some four hundred (including n large number of friend?), accompanied by their band, leib town at 9 a.m. by the Devonport Ferry Co.'s p.s. Eagle. A pleasant day wa< spent, and the picnickors returned about 5 p.m., holding a special service in the BuiTucUb in the ovening. To St. Heliers Bay also proceeded in vehicles the membei 3 and friendsof St. Luke's (Remuera) Presbyterian Sunday-school, and held their annual festive gathering, returning early in the evening. The Tamaki was visited by tho members of St. David's Presbyterian Sunday School, who letl Auckland in the Devonpovb Ferry Companys' p.s. Takapuna. About 9.30 a.m., the Takapuna, while passing the Bean Rock Light on her way down to tho Tamaki, struck on an oyster reef, and was unable to get oil until about 3.30 o'clock in the" afternoon. Her passongei's, however, wero in tho meanwhile takon on to their destination by another paddle-steamer by which they returned early in the evening. All Saintb' Anglican Sunday-school also proceeded to Tamaki, in the p.s. Britannia, and returned after spending a very pleasant and enjoyable holiday. The Kawau was visited by the Ko'-e J Casey, with a large number of visitors. The paddle-steamer City of Cork made a l.iip to Riverhead, touching at adjacent localities, with a larye party on buard. During the day the Norbhcoto Ferry Co.'s boats ran regular trips across the harbour, and a large number of excursionists visited Northuotc. Birkenhead, and surrounding localities. To breezy Birkenhead proceeded the inmates, officials, and friends of the Sailors" Home, and they spent an enjoyable New Year's Day. Besides the above a Tory large number of private boating picnics took place yesterday, i

NEWTON SOCIAL UNION. The members of the Newton Social Union and their friends held a very successful picnic at the Tamaki yesterday. They were conve>ed thither to the number of about one huudrod in the s.s. Maori, and favoured by smooth \rater the crip was a moot delightful ono. A band accompanied the party, and di=eouised selection* of music both going do.vn and coming home, and also while the pioi>ickei-> were encamped at the Tamaki. The return trip to town was concluded about ee\ en o'clock and sin immediate adjournment made to St. (ieorge's Hall, where a \ery pleasant evening was spent. About fifty couples were present, and dancing formed the chief amusement of the evening, Messrs A. Kllyotb and W. Davis supplying capital dance music, and the enjoyment of the gue&tp being enhanced by the cxci tion of the committee, who otticiated in the capacity of stewards. Songs were rendered at intervals by Mrs Pick, Miss Har<xra\es and Mr Anderson, and also by Mespis Jinks and Earl, two otricer? of the Rapid who hadaccompanicd the picnic purly. Prior to the breaking-upof the party, MrC. J. Maney, the Secietary, briefly addressed tho«f present, reviewing the career of the Newton Social Union from its iniuiguiutiou, and promising that next season it would he resumed, and carried on with n«* much energy as had characterised the management during the present sctson. Ho thanked the member and \isitorstor then attendance, and p*-poeially the ladies, foi the assistance tliey had rendoretl. The pAi ty. which was. a most enjoyable one, moke up ai ji ioa«>onable hour.

WAiWEIiA. Th« » ». Clansman made an cojursiion ye.«.teid«i\ to Waiwerti, and the popularity uf the steamer and the attraction? o* the pretty little watering place whither she wa^ hound proved strong inducement? to the f)ub!tc. and the trip was iheiefoie well patronised. The water was very smooth all iia\, and the 11111 down was a tasfc one, uccup\ing exactly two hour*. The land intr wa<. again effected by boats, but the passengers weie landed carefully and •' di^hod." Be\eral hours were spent very pleuoantlv ashore, and at h've o'clock Captain Fntqtihai' had his boars clung on the asrain, and was Pteaming out of the elianning little bay. The Wellington, bound icom JMahurangi, was then nearly a couple ot miles ahead, but the Clansman gained considerably on her during the run up and followed her in so olo=>ely that tho two boats were landing their passengers at the same time. The Artillery Band accompanied the steamer, and performed " Marifcana " and other selection? during the du,\ veiy efficiently. Mr McLeods providoring arrangement s were excellent, and the excursion was in e\ cry respecta successful one.

MAHURANOI HEADS. About half-past ten o'clock yesterday morning the s.s. Wellington left ior Mahuran^i Head?, crowded from stem to stern with light- hearted picnickers, and with a section of the Artillery Band energetically discoursing instrumental music. A pleasant and ) apid trip was made to the Heads, and the vessel soon disgorged her living freight upon the substantial little wharf, whence in family giuups the excursionists I dispersed themselves far and near wherever promise of shelter and water assuiod etifco and speedy provision for tea. By general consent the dotcafar nievle was practised to perfection, and everyone seemed content. At half-past four the steamer was crowded again for the return home, and by five she was on her way. She was followed from Wai w era by the (Jlanßman, and the two vessels made port again in close company. Mahurangi Heads has become deservedly popular as a holiday resort, t hanks lo the enterprise of the Northern Steamship Company.