The Daily News. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1901. THE SEA-SIDE PICNIC, AND THE FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 281, 28 November 1901, Page 2

The Daily News. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1901. THE SEA-SIDE PICNIC, AND THE FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

During the las' few days, feeling has been running rather high regarding tbe J proposed sea side picnic, and the action of tbe Friendly Societies. It is to be feared that unless wiser counsels prevail, our country friends will be deprived of the outing which last year was so successful, and a repetition which has been looked forward to with pleasure. We are verp aversa to taking a side in the dispute which has occurred, but consider it would be very unwise that any stepa should be taken to place obstacles in the way of our friends from the country spending the day at the sea-side. This appears to have been tbe view taken by the large majority of the delegates at the meeting held in the earlier part of the week, and it was with a feeliog of relief that the public, not only of New Plymouth, but throughout tbe district, learned that the two functions, in which so many people are interested, were not to clash. Since then, however, notice of motion has been given to go on with the Friendly Societies' picnic, and this will be considered at a meeting to-night. The stationmaster has also received a wire from Mr Piper, the District Traffic Manager, stating that be had given his promise to the Friendly Societies to find them trains and must keep his word, and he could not provida additional accommodation for the seaside picnic. His Worship the Mayor asked by telegraph if he (Mr Piper) had been informed th»t the Fiiendly Societies picnic had b<eu abandoned, and received in reply, No. Mr Piper was then asked by the Mayor and Mr Hobbs, secretary of the Friendly Societies committee, whether, in the event cf the Friendly Societies' picnic not taking place, he would find the necessary accommodation for bringing people to the seaside; but, up to: closing time last night, no reply had been received. We think it is a very great pityJJJthat thisjj difficulty hasj cropped up, because we know that a! large number of people from down the liae had made arrangements for spending the day at the seaside, and it would be a graceful act on tbe part of tbe New Plymouth Friendly Societies to give way to the country. It should be our aim and desire to encourage, in every possible way, a better feeling and a closer intercourse between New Plymouth and tbe people of the surrounding districts, and we bope, and trust, that the decision of the meeting already held will be adhered to, and that people of all classes will join in making the seaside picnic a monster success. Already the Mayor and those working with him have made a good many arrangements for the (nterfcainment and enjoyment of visitors on New Year's Day. In the country districts settlers have refrained from making any important fixtures on that day out of courtesy to New Plymouth, and the people here should certainly meet them half way by setting apart this one day in the year for our visitors.