A Picnic Cut Short.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 272, 21 November 1904, Page 3

A Picnic Cut Short.

AN EAHLY START A\iJ A (iI'ICK RETURN. The ONlinary early risers on SunJay morning, especially those in the oack streets, were treated to the amusing spectacle of numbers of bedraggled, seedy individuals, male and iemale, surreptitiously making their way home, bearing with them sundry baskets and wrappings oddly suggestive of picnicking. Those in the know speedily raised ironical cheers, and indulged in witticisms, sarcastic and otherwise, at the expense of these wayfarers. The cause was not far to seek. Some 120 venturesome excursionists lmd robbed ■itorplieus of several hours usually Jevoied to his rites and ceremonies, -ind rising betimes, hud betaken themselves aiid t' eir creature comforts to the breakwater, .several of >v est s brakes and 'buses being requisitioned. Here the s.s. Tainui was pitching and straining at her moorings, in readiness to convey to the Jfokau the picnickers in connection with the railway employees' excursion, which, as readers are aware, had been postooned from November 6th, owing to the rough weather. A single glance at the steamer and half a. glance at the oceaq was enough lor several wouldbe trippers, who forthwith "scratched" lor all events. The others, with more or less—mainly less—assurance and confidence, embarked on the ooat, atici directly the engine-room o'ell sounded, the more timorous settled down into the places from which they took good care not to venture until smooth water was again reached. The others, keeping up a nonchalant uir, looked very imperfectly happy, and by-and-byc, as the choppy swell of tile Tasman Sea began to play battledore and shuttlecock with the little craft, minor excursions, having as objective the rail, became more numerous, until the cheerful ones could be counted on I the ten lingers. And of these many were obviously emulating the admirable "Murk Taploy" in bearing up under difficulties. It were best to pass over the scene presented on the deck, especially when a heavy shower of rain fell, and anyone wishing for details is advised to apply to the captain, but is solemnly* cautioned not to bp top minute in his inquiries from the hardy voyagvrs. To make a long story short, among the miscellaneous articles jettisoned was a set of false teeth. then, as the waters showed not signs of abating, there arose murmurs of discontent from that ghastly crew, and there were not wanting many who, like the old lady of anecdotal fame, prayed to the captain to

"turn round and put me oil." The disastrous voyage began at 4.5 a.m. and by 5.40 the vessel was abreast of Waitara, when those members of the committee who were not hors Ue combat consulted with the captain, whp informed them that "the bottom was out of the glass," and that he could not guarantee to get out of the Jlokau, even if he managed to get in. So to the accompaniment of a fervid sigh of relief the vessel was put about, and a straight course steered for the breakwater, which was reached at seven o'clock, after an experience which will long live in the memory of all who made the venture. After the passengers had run the gauntlet of several watchers on the wharf, who, utterly callous to the sullerings of the unfortunates, persisted in passing "nasty rude remarks," a messenger was despatched ,to town for 'buses to convey the travel stained ones to town.