Friendly Societies' Picnic.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 1, 2 January 1904, Page 2

Friendly Societies' Picnic.

A lilO AI'TAIR. After tho 'boisterous and rainy weather on New Yaw's live, the bright New Year's morn was a pleasant surprint' for the promoters of the third itiimuil picnic of the New Plymouth Friendly Societies. The day was beautifully line, except that there was a very strong breeze, which reiwlered things uncoiniorluljle at limes, lint this had its cuiupensaling advantage in tbtt fact that despite the downpour on the previous night the ground was quite dry and the track in good order. Special arrangements had been made with the Uailway Department, and the, management committee express thornselves as deeply grateful Co Mr (iny, the slatkminaster at New Plymouth, for his courtesy and valuable assistance whilst conserving to the full the interests of the Depart-' meat. The lirflt tr'ai/t was simply packed, trucks of all descriptions being called into rcujuifdtion. "Rvery roadside station furnished additional picnickers, and to tpiote one of the ollicials, " where they slowed themselves, and how', goodness only knows." Arrived at Sentry Hill the disembarkation conmien.xd, an* soon thcrq was 1 a j,(ay and gaily dressed multitude pouring from the railway to the picnicking ground, which was lent, by Mr Sampson. The committee liad plenty to do on the sports ground, whilst the public began to distribute themselves over the property for the mid-day repast. Lunch was-spread in true j picnic style beneath many a- shady tree, the banks of tho river being j voted "just too lovely " for tlje pur- | pose. At about half-past one o'- j clock up came the second train from j town, crowded again: and then the scone grew animated. Besides the New Plymouth people there were over a hundred from southern stations, and quite three hundred arrived in all kinds of vehicles, on horseback, cycling, or on foot. The Garrison Band enlivened the proceedings considerably, playing with I'.ne o'iecl. The sports commenced on the arrival of the afternoon contingent, the ollicials all working with a will and getting the events oil well, especially when we. consider that tlie track was not fenced off or roped and that ovc-ry succeeding race meant the clearing of the course. Constable Beattie, of Wailtora, was most valuable in this connection. As starter Mr ,T. Clealan'd was in the right place, 'being; assisted by Mr J. Bennett, who was also one of the hanilicappers. The judges had evidently boon engaged in tho same manner on many a previous occasion, Messrs Jennings, M.H.H , and It. Cock, Mayor of New Plymouth, giving "sftti«f«tGttotn> Other gentlemen who wore the tricolour badges of committeemen, and who carefully attended to the details of their departments, were Messrs Mc(Jahey, Ballot and Ueid in men's racing, aind Messrs Kivell, Riley, Hawker and Gilbert, in whose hands were the children's rumiing sports. Mr Cattley arranged the ladies' competitions. " Hicnic tea"' is generally not of the best, but Friday's could not have lieen beaten, Misses I'curcc (2), Wells (2) ami Bullot being responsible. 'Tea, hot water, and milk were provided free by the committee. Tho racing was good, reflecting very favourably on Messrs I'ord and Bennett, tho bajvdicanp.jrs. His Worship tho Mayor was not -quite swift enough, to annex the Kgmont Lodge. Handicap, but ho made a 'great fight, finishing amidst the hearty plaudits of the crowd ; but Mr Jennings, evidently too liberally treated by the handicapper, annexed tho Druids' Handicap, with something to spare. The mile bicycle handicap brought out Sampson, who won as he liked, but in tliu half-mile he was unable to overhaul Stock, who beat him by a little more than a wheel. Brewer deserved his win in the Societies' Championship. Taken all through the competition was honest and keen. Sports did not interest all. There were ring games nil the afternoon, the band played and'young couples danced to its music. The hillside was dotted 'hero wnd tl|>«j,'ivilh collides who drew away from the turmoil, and rivor-side and s-hady (era dell each had their devotees. Afternoon tea was dispensed by Mr Sampson. Thero were many other things, too. Perhaps tho most important ni|an on -a -field like this >.; the secretary, and of Mr HolJbs all we can nay .'(. thun he, ;\vorkcicl l';ong and hard, and that he worked systematically is shown by the satit'factoi|y rtfUi'ins, giving, a profit cf over £2o.' Added to tlvV ho was courteous to all. Results of tho competitions are : Long jump—C.i Marsh (19ft ljin) 1,

100 yards handicap—B. Brewer 1, llopson 2. Hop, step, and jump—C. Marsl. (89ft 2in) 1. Won in the llrst jump no one coming up to his first effort. Eight competed. Quarter mile bicycle—W. Whittaker (20yds) 1. Putting tho shot (sweepstake)— H. Kivell 1. Sack race—First Heat—C. Marsh t, Julian 2. Second heat—Webster 1, Adlam 2. Final—Webster 1, Marsh 2. An exciting and amusing race. Half-mile handirnp—Honson (40 yards) 1, ,fui:j.n (SOj-ds) a. Ladies' race—Miss It. Roberts 1, M*s E. Roberts 2. Druids' Handicap—W. T. Jennings 1, Elder 2. Societies' Championship, 11yds—E. Brewer 1. Bicycle race, quo "mile—F. Sampson (100 yds) J, W. Cattley (lOvds) 2. Rechabites' Handicap, .100 yards— H. Hopson (syds) 1, A. itopson (scr) 2. Irish Jig— B. Stuco 1. Four competitors. Quarter-mile handicap—B. Brewer 1, Julian 2. Bicycle race, half-miks—W. Stock 1, F. Sampson 2. Bandsuiens' race—Dixon 1, Edwards 2. Open to bandsmen and railway employees. Excelsior Lodge, 100 vnrds—J. Clelaawl 1. Committee. Bace—Tl, J. Hobbs 1. Ladies' Kape—Miss Hall 1, Mies Mi!|s 2i Waireka and Taranaki Lodges (A.0.F.) did not contribute and their events wore struck off tho programme.