THE SEASIDE PICNIC.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 28, 2 December 1901, Page 2

THE SEASIDE PICNIC.

It is to be hoped that the action of the Traffic Manager in connection with the question of excursion trains on New Year's day will not dishearten the promoters of the seaside picnic. Last year this %vent was eo popular, and the desire of country residents, tbat it should be repeated and made an annual fixture, wag bo pronounced, and so general, that compliance with their wisheß has all along been a foregone conclusion. Mr Piper, in his desire to make things easy for his department, hag very artfully p!ayed off the Friendly Societies' picnic against the seaside picnic, and has gph a free hand to s»rip this eod of f li« line for the benefit of Wanganui and Feilding. Mr Piper may, however, rest assured that whether any organised picnic takeß place or not, the people will make for the sea side on that day, unless he Stops the issue of excursion tickets. We hope, however, that the promoters of the picnic will proce-d with their arrangements, and claim the fame consideration in the shape of railway accommodation ss other places r ceive on such occasions, Mr Piper has himself admitted that the expense of eeatiug a few truckg would get over the difficulty and we feel sure that a gentleman of his resourcefulness and administrative ability will find a way if the necessity of doing so is made clear. In connection with the picnic itself, we would suggest to the promoters to consider whether the time has not come to institute something in tho shapo of a regatta, A couple of sailing boat races, and whaleboat rowing races, with a suitable elaas of boat, would, besides being a great attraction, encourage the young men of th 6 district to go iu for a sport that brings out all the fiaer qualities of a man. We spend thousands of pounds in amusements of various kinds, none of whiob are so useful, or so invigorat-

ing as rowing or s tiling, On any mcdecately fine day, a splendid course c mid be found for good s f oufc sailing boats, from the wharf and round the sug*r loaves, which, besides being a test of seamanship and courage, would be very attractive tj the public.