AT THE SEASIDE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 191, 2 January 1913, Page 4

AT THE SEASIDE.

A BIG CROWD. Nowhere were the cffeffta of yesterday's downpour felt mora keenly than at the East End Bathing "(Reserve. Deceived 'by the morning's (fine weather, shoals upon shoals of i excursionists wended their way to the reserve on the occasion of the. official opening and picnic. The tide of humanity/ set in about ten o'clock, and by noon] there must have been from four to fjive thousand people on the beach and tihe immediate vicinity. The special trailns brought a big quota of country 'residents, and many others living out of town pune in vehicles of all shapes and sizek Children, of course, predominated, anwl the reserve with its thousand* of visitors wore the aspect of a Continental \tfatering-place, The arrangements were \perfeet, and everything augured well (for an ideal day's outing, wilveu by a Shard turn of fate rain comnneneed to fikll. A light shower set in about 10 o'dlock, and its advent was the signal for [the departure of the great bulk of the £rowd. Many stayed on, however, in tliip hope of the weather clearing, but as the day wore on the shower gave place, to a heavy downpour which put a complete damper on everybody's pleasure. ; Nevertheless the committee saw most of their sports programme throu»h. Ik the morning there were donkey rides' and races on the beach for the children, and in the afternoon*, undeterred by the rain, a large number of boys faced the starter in the swimming and like events, which resulted as follow:

Riding the American Pony (an amusing and difficult fe^t)—S. Ewing 1, B. Bellringer 2. "25 Yards Open HaiulicaD—Ewing 1, Whittle 2, Winter 3. Diving—S. and W. Ewing tied for the honors with 15 points each out of a possible 20, and in the "dive-off" the former proved the victor, 50 Yards—Winter 1, Morison 2. Obstacle Race—S. Ewing 1, W. Ewing 2.

While tire elements ha'havcd themselves in the morning the fun was fast and furious. The committee, of which Mr. W. H. Fletcher was an energetic secretary, laid themselves out to give the kiddies a. good time, .and in this they were eminently successful. There was' everything imaginable for their entertainment, from lollie scrambles to donkey rides. The buna, wfhich were distributed gratis, went off like wildfire, and the "lollie in.in." who was draped in a coat rivalling that of Jacob of old, ]vung all over, with bags of sweets, created consitjerahle diversion in the general chase after his possessions. As in the case oi the donkeys, the swing host■* \y.<ve j largely patronised, and surfing .vas ililso indulged in by many. Tea, sugar, milk'and hot water were provided free to all, and the afternoon tea arrangements were ably presided over by Ma's. Crockett. The picture entertainment in the evening had to be abandoned. The gate takings and minor receipts totalled between £ls and ,£'2o, and the committee are trying to make this cover expenses. Had the weather remained fine, a handsome profit would have been realised. In view of the particularly generous patronage of the local public and country residents, the committee have decided to hold another picnic on the reserve at an early date.

AT MOTUROA. As with other events, the Seaside Picnic, organised by the Seaside Improvement Committee, was spoilt by the rain coming on at mid-day. There must have, been nearly two thousand people scattered about the beach, the excursion trains alone bringing in nearly 800. The committee had made complete arrangements for the enjoyment of visitors, and the only thing needed was a continuance of fine weather, but the rain set in properly, and drove all and sundry to the shelter afforded by the Harbor buildings. The Garrison. Band was in attendance, but its programme, like everything else, was cut short. The members were entertained to luncheon by the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Browne). The picnickers made tracks for home as quickly as the facilities would permit.