ELTHAM AT THE SEASIDE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 196, 16 February 1912, Page 2

ELTHAM AT THE SEASIDE.

THE ETENT OF THE YEAR. The Eltham school excursion to the Breakwater took place yesterday. The wet night and morning kept many from attending, including all of the boys of the Salvation Army Home. It was raining heavily when the train left Eltham at 7.30 a.m., but those who braved the weather were rewarded by having a remarkably fine day. The number of tickets sold was 325; last year it was nearly 800. The railway arrangements were very satisfactory, no one having to ride in covered trucks. All enjoyed themselves, as several members of the Eltham school committee, Messrs. Murray, Glitheroe, Pratt, and Cameron, aad the wives of some <of the other residents, accompanied the children and looked after their comforts and enjoyment. This outing is looked upon by the Eltham public as the event of the year as far as enjoyment i 3 concerned, and it is most regretable that the weather should have kept back about as many as the number that came.

EX-TOWNSMAN HONORED.

The committee of townsmen of Eltham townsmen who have had in hand for some time the recognition of Mr. Blackhall's many public services while a resident of their town, took the opportunity of the presence of Mr. Blackhall at the sea-side excursion at the Breakwater yesterday to make him a presentation. The presentation took the form of a pair of stereoscopic prismatic binoculars in, a leather case. The presentation was made by Mr. E. Parrott, who alluded at length to Mr. Blackhall's valuable services as a borough councrlltr, Mr. Murray, chairman of the Eltham school committee, also spoke of Mr. Blackhall's services va that body, especially in securing the. school swimming baths, in which matter he had, so Mr. Murray said, shown so much perseverance and achieved such success that he could henceforth adopt the motto of J. Caesar: "I came, I saw, I conquered." In. accepting the presentation, Mr Blackhall (who is now living at Oakura), said that the recognition in such a generous manner 'of what little he had been able to do while in Eltham came as a very gTeat surprise to him, and although not now living there he assured alj present that he still entertained the greatest regard for Eltham's continued welfare and prosperity. (Applause.)