LABOR AT PLAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1915, Page 4

LABOR AT PLAY.

1 «. SPORTS AT THE SEASID2. WEATHER UPSETS ARRANGEMENTS. Yesterday, labor Day, was a general holiday, and work gave place to pleasure. The attraction of the day was the picnic and sports at the East End Bathing Beßerve. Unfortunately the day broke dull, and rain in the morning betokened a wet day, but although the afternoon proved to be fine the doubtful indications of the morning i caused the original programme to be somewhat modified. It had been decided to formally open the new pavilion, | but this has been postponed till a later date, and several attractions which [would have added gaiety to the proceedings had also to- be postponed. However, so extensive w*re the arrangements made by the committee, that when they were modified the programme was still of goodly proportion and full of interesting and enjoyable items to amuse children and their elders,

As the weather improved the visitors to the Reserve increased,. until late in the afternoon many hundreds thronged the beach and its pleasant surroundings, Picnic parties were happy in all the attractive spots around the reserve and the whole sceue was a merry one. It was essentially a children's day ancka thoroughly enjoyable afternoon was spent on the sands. The donkeys on the heach proved a source of irresistible attraction, while the programme of sports provided a wealth of amusement for the children. The Citizens' Band added another touch of brightness to the carnival with several selections,, while the comfort of all was completed by the excellent catering arrangements. Mr, >W. Roch, the secretary, did much towards ensuring the success of the afternoon, and he was ably assisted by a large number of energetic helpers. Prior to the commencement of the sports a procession, headed by the Citizen's Baud, paraded Gill Street, thence Egmont and Devon Streets, to the reserve. A large number took part in the parade. ' Some very elaborate, unique and weird costumes were to be seen in the procession. A very stately John Bull was to be observed taking stock; a duck of large dimensions was waddling along; grey-headed niggers and nimble Africans greatly amused the spectators; a horse was also included ... the exhibit. The vegetable patch was well represented, and amateur gardeners could see mammoth mangolds (with whiskers), cabbagps that would fe«» f With lo^sided skirts, av»rL f "T US P ro P or and in a variety of colors rarely seen in y ew dSn 1 wa ; k h ed 9edattl x <«< "I* In the evening a social and dance was held, and was largely attended. The financial results were not complete yes! w i&y A a gcod contribution toX Wounded Soldier*' Fund is assured