PROVINCIAL PICNIC AT THE BREAKWATER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 32, 7 February 1902, Page 2

PROVINCIAL PICNIC AT THE BREAKWATER.

I Thursday was one of those ideal days for a picnic that it would have be in surprising if there had not been a large , and successful gathering at the Brerkwyter. Never was there a scene of such animation and enjoyment as that which was witnessed at our port yesterday. The ainds on both sides of tha mole were alive with a throng of all ages, but the greater number were on the town side, where bathing tents had been erected for the convenience of the visitors, and all day long there was a large number of bathers, many of whom swam out some distance, and all of whom evinced the keenest delight in tbe welcome recreation. Those who could not swiui spl shed about and enjoyed themselves in their limited way, while scores of children were cottented and happy paddling about near shore. The attraction oF climbing Paritutu proved very enticing to a| large nuoibnr, and ttey were amply! rewarded for their puna. On tbe •lopes adjacent and around Mikotahi were also favourite rambling places, while tbe wharf and the bre*kwatei were more or lets thronged. All parti of the district were represented fron Urenui on the north, Hawera on th south and Opunake on the west, bu it was from the Stratford district tbtt tbe bulk of the visitors came. Although the special traios stopped it the town Btation, very few came into town, nor was it expactd that they would, as the breakwatar wis the point of attraction, and thitber tie visitors went. That so many of jir country settlers and their children Ad such an enjoyable day at tbe port 'or the district is a matter for much t ngratulation, though it may be lco eel on as only natural that tbis should pp the case. They have a vested interat in the harbour, and therefore it is oisly right that thoy should get every iJvantage possible out of their propeir, a«id it afforded the townspeople of Nwr Plymouth the liveliest pleasure tows-<-i*t a,t much as possible in enabling ;pe visitors to get the maximum of pitastire out of the excursion. The eijef attraction of the day were the tjvo j trips by the Takapuna. The ficrfof these was only moderately patronijid, as it took place somewhat too ealy; but tbe last trip, at 2 o'clock, mid jup for any lack of numbers on tbe eajier -one, the vessel being thronged. Njkhling but delight at the trips wasfcx- | pressed by the numerous passeogeil to many of whom it was a first experiace. Captain Qrant and his offioers are I be

congratulated on the extremely iltisfaotory way in which the trips lew carried out. During the aftefcon there was a strong demand for tlßio l / vvatsr and milk, <-o kiudly providß by tbe local committee, and there! do doubt that these essentials to a sulessful picnic were grea'ly appreciated. Mr fioulton's refreshmtnt bootH was largely patronised, and as is alwafs the c»se with this enterprising caterer, and the various good things provided were much praised. The 'lown Bind went down by the 1.30 p.m. tiain, and the Garrison Band by the 2.30, and they both deserve verjMrett praise for tne excellent selectXs of music rendered. There wasalodly [ number of small bo its being row! and [sailed in and outside the harHrall day, aad they formed 9, greatßtraQ- | tion to a large number. It is es Mated | that there were over SQOQ peonj present, the majority of whom w*B oarried by railway, though aveiMlarge number arrived by vehicles and! foot. With one exception the train jfttogements were most satiafautoip aod thanks to the psrsonal mptrvßon of Mr Day, tbe local stationmafter, nil went as well as could ba wished. Oo another occasion, however, it would be well to arrange for a late train (say 7 p.m.,) to leave the Breakyater for town only, as this would prev<M overcrowding the country train, anßenable the townspeople to have an eJt hour at Moturoa at the most eniovflle nart of the day. ■ e An important part of thaiß's programme, so fsr as Mose of Bvisitorn who are engaged in concerned, was the throwing the Freezing works for iHec'iou. This was taken by a considerable number of ■settlers who hud an opportunity of sMng the up-to-date machinery and Alliances with which this modern bfldiog is equipped, and not a few of tfte interested ia tbe industry were Hrprieed at the perfection to which tIJKe works had been brought, at capacity available, and the Excellent condition of the structure ai id its contents. Those visitors who Ire now shareholders in the works nfay well have felt proud of their proj| fifty. To Mr Tatton, Mayor of atriiford, the success of the picnic (Is (due iu a large measure, and he isflU be congratulated most cordiallyfofa having materially assisted in carryli* out one of the most enjoyable pic nift that have bean held in tbis district. M