AT THE SEASIDE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 175, 2 January 1915, Page 5

AT THE SEASIDE.

EAST END PICNIC. There was a perfect summer day for the East End picnic yesterduy, and it drew a crowd of some three thousand people to this popular seaside resort from town and country. From 10 o'clock in the morning to six at night the fun was in full swing and there was not a moment throughout the day without its amusement of some kind. Numerous sideshows caused grel-t hilarity, and incidentally added to the organisers' takings. "Splasho, the Kaiser," proved one of the most popular enjoyments for the email people, who delighted in seeing an imitation liaiser ducked whenever the lucky thrower scored a "bull's-eye." A novel competition known as "pulling the tope" was a puzzle that many vainly sought to solve. In a network of tapes were Home attached to prizes, hut it proved a very difficult matter to pull the right one. And so on, galore. Boating on the river proved another very popular atttraciion, the Boats being kept busy all day along the half-mile course which has been secured in the Henui river as the result of snagging operations. Then the boatswings, see-saws, etc., were always busy, and young folks and old seemed to have the day of a lifetime. A perfect godsend to the thirsty people was the continuous supply of hot water provided by the coppers, and the supply was taxed to the uttermost throughout the day. The Citizen's Band and t\ie bagpipe players (brought specially from Hawera), provided music to suit all tastes. Afternoon tea was provided in the pavilion, and here the Pierrots sang and sang on. The following are the results of the swimming events, under the direction of Messrs. Ainsworth and Boulton, and a very successful portion of the day's programme:— 60 Yards Dash.—First head: Winter 1, E. Ewing 2; second heat: L. Goss 1, W. Ewing, 2. Final. Winter 1, S. Ewing 2. Just it stroke separated the leaders. 100 Yards Race— L Ewing 1, Gray 2, High Dive. —Patterson and Ewing tied, and in the dive-oil' Patterson was successful. Other competitions included the tug-of-war, in which twelve teams competed. Central scoring a win, with Fitzroy second. Putting the Shot (14 entries).—Copestake 1, Candy 2. Stepping the Chain, (24 entries). — Ramsay 1, Ritchie 2. Bagpipe music and marches. —A. McLeod 1, K. Matheson 2, D. Ferguson 3. Highland Fling.—K. Matheson 1, A. McLeod 2. Highland Fling, for children under 10. —W. Orr 1, Maggie Adams 2. Best Boy or Girl piper who had not won a prize.—W. Orr 1, May Adams 2. A treasure hunt was held, and some twenty finds were made, but late in the afternoon tiie big prize was still undiscovered. The fine stretch of beach was in demand for bathing and wading, and it was a sight to be remembered when from six to seven hundred people of all ngej and sizes were enjoying themselves in the waves at the one time. The committee worked very hard throughout the day, and fully deserved the success that attended their efforts. The popular chairman, Mr F. C. Bellringer, the secretary, Mr W. H. Fletcher, and Messrs Flanagan, Ainsworth, O'Brien, Boulton a,nd others, worked: with a will. The profit on the day, which is to be devoted to improving the reserve, should equal that made at any previous picnic. , BREAKWATER PICNIC. The .New Year picnic of the recentlyformed Ngamotu Seaside Committee '= was an uiiimilified success from every point of view, and it is quite evident that the lixture as an annual one will eventually be one of the greatest enjoyment feasts in the province. Railway trains, automobiles, expresses, and all manner of vehicles brought the crowds, and ail day long plied to and from , town. The side shows were numerous, and file treasure hunt was most successful, , practically all the prizes being dug out,' 34 out of a possible 41 being found Over 300 persons were digging soon after the bell tolled the start, and the upplause from the "touch line" caused; peals of merriment. Ai ve-y strenuously fought-out marathon race was won by the 'Waihi . school (Waitara). The distance run was nearly three miles, and the little chaps finished strongly. The prizes for this race were presented hy Mr J. 1). Hugiies, who, in the course of his very ' interesting remarks, explained the origin and use of the marathon race, pointing out iU importance as a factor in stimulating the young men to lead clci.il, active lives and fitting themselves for virile citizenship. He suggested that the committees interested in the seaside picnics should endeavour to corns to an arrangement that would result in only one picnic being held on the beach on any one day, pointing out that concentrated effort would be sure to be in the interest of the public. He warmly congratulated the committee on the success of their efforts, and mado some very appropriate remarks relative to the advisability of keeping all athletics clear cf cash prizes. Throughout the day bathing was indulged in by enormous crowds, and a raft anchored in the surf was much appreciated. The Breakwater beach is particularly free of backwash, and the children managed to have a royal time, in absolute safety. The "Splasho-tJhe-Kaiser" sida-show caused an extraordinary amount of laughter from the time the first dip took place till the finish. Hoop-la, eoce-anut shies, throwing the darts, and other games of skill and chance helped pleasurably to pa&3 the time away. The following races and competitions were decided:— Girls, under S years.—Miss Briggs 1, Miss Crozier 2. Boys' Race, under 8 years.—Smart 1, Januos 2 Girls' Race, under s.—Maynard I, ~ Gilbert 2, "Boys' Race, under 2, Parker 3. Girls' Egg and iSpoon RaceMHodge 1, Everett 2, Brown 3. (Boys, Sack Race, under 12.—Putt 1, ' Hoffmann ?.. Pillow Fighting on a' Beam.—Smart 1, Graham 2. Potato .Race, girls under 15.—Davis 1, Beadle 2, Bvaund 3. Potato Race, boys under 15.—Briggs 1, Wright 2. Little races for little tots were rua, and prizes given to all. .Obstacle Race, under 12 years.—Davis 1, Lealand 2, Obstacle Race, over 12 years.—Skcb ton 1, Colt 2. Girls' Race, 12 to 15 years.—Davis 1, Norris 2. Married Ladies' Race.—Mrs Pike 1, Mrs Maynard 2. Sack Race bovs over 12 years.— Manuel 1, Cole 2, Marsh 3. Barrel Race, boys.—Smart 1, Low* Girls' Hopping Race,—Briggs I. Thompson 2. The Belgian Relief Fund should benefit considerably as tiiie result of the rigorous work of the Ngamotu Foreshow Society. , , '