EAST END PICNIC.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 178, 26 January 1912, Page 4

EAST END PICNIC.

THE CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL. Yesterday afternoon the East End bathing reserve was a true "kindergarten," for uncountable children sported on the sands and in the water with the delightful vigor and abandon characteristic of untroubled youth. The adults who undertook the management . of affairs were simply tireless- in, their efforts on behalf of the little ones, and kept affairs swinging with a vim, and for this alone they are valuable citizen*!: A vigorous committee whose members enjoy the outing as much as the little ones is the life and soul of such an occasion. The thick Scotch mist which enveloped New Plymouth early in the afternoon did not deter the people, and. hundreds of parents with their, complete families revelled in the enjoyment of the little ones, eagerly watched the unany entertaining contests arranged an§. pic- , nicked on the sands and banks under the ■pine trees. Interest was added' to' the " picnic by the cinematograph presided (■,. over by Mr. G. H. Saunders and his staff, and the boys who snatched for treacly buns, entered the lolly races and undertbok many quaint contests dear to youth. The river .bank was thronged *' with people eager to see , the various* aquatic exhibitions, and theriders of th« greasy barrel running: on a long" pole oyer the water gave a . hilarious exhibition. Messrs. Lints- and Mulloy gavea deft exhibition o£ life-saving, illustrating very excellently the methods 1 that may be suitably employed tosave ing persons/ New Plymouth people have much reason to be proud of their splendid children, and it is at, this fine fixturethat they are seen all abloom.' The vigor of the youngsters and their unnecessary movements gave the guardians many "arches for "lost" little ones, for it is difficult to sort out one's own Annie or Jimmy from a legion of Annfes and Jimmies. Very large* numbers of people took, tea under the trees and awaited the evening programme of pictures, screened bj the Royal Pictures Proprietary and listened to .the music oi the band. There* is no doybt about the success of this function, which .contained! every element of enjoyment for children and their parents. The following are the results of a few of the numerous events:— Creasy boom.-S. Ewing 1, Whittam 2. .Bun and treacle competition.—Oliver 1, Shirley 2. • Chewing tape competition—Hanley 1, O'Grady 2. ■ s Canoe race.—Hayden 1. Pillow fight.—-Milne 1, Grimmer 2.' Diving.—S. Ewing 1, Scrivener 2. 100 Yards (under 18).--Gush (medal presented by Mr. Roberts," jeweller)' 1 100 Yards (over 18).—Stockman (brushes presented by Mr. Bullot) 1. Pop, step and jump.—T. Stockman I (tobacco pouch presented bv Mr. Robottom). • The gate takings amounted to £2l)' 9s. It is estimated there were over' 2000 children present, all of whom were admitted free. In the evening there was a surprising crowd- present, seated and standing in all directions, but where they could £ee the picture' show. These could be from both sides of the . screen, and were thoroughly enjoyed; the. children screaming at the funny pictures. The Garrison Band played a number of enjoyable seV lectionß between the intervals of the , picV tures. So touch were the films appreci-* - ated that the committee are considering the advisability of having an ' open air evening gathering monthly, and they also intend to make arrangements fdr procuring an additional two acres of land for the further accommodation of the public. ■The committee thanked all those who attended during the day, and pointed out that they did their work for nothing, and all the money they got'was spent «n improvements and for the enjoyment of the children. Cheers were givei for the proprietors of the Royal Pictures for entertaining the