ON THE SANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 January 1916, Page 6

ON THE SANDS.

PICNIC AT THE SEASIDE. TWO THOUSAND COUNTRY VISITORS. SCENES AT THE EAST END. Thousands of happy holiday-makers spent a highly enjoyable day on the beaches at New Plymouth on New Year's Da& and-ntadc-the day a bright and li.jßy one. It was a glorious day, and tly warm summer sunshine was temper<v by a light breeze, while clean sands ajji! the blue sea successfully combined with the sunshine to make the foreshore mist inviting. Two big picnics were oifeanised—one at the East End and the other at Moturoa—and each function al.tra.cted a large gathering. Two special trains arrived from the country in the morning and brought about two thousand people, while many others in the neighboring districts ' drove into town. The trains stopped at the East End reserve, and a large num'ber of the picnickers disembarked there, while the remainder went on to the Breakwater. Townspeople joined with the country fmk in seeking the pleasures of the seaside, and at each function there were about three thousand people. (From early morning until late into t\e evening the beaches at the East End apd at Moturoa were wrapped in white -j-thc summer clothes of the crowds of picnickers combining to give this impression. To the country visitors the port and its attractive surroundings afforded considerable interest, while fishing and boating «vere novelties wliirt "the man on the land" found delight in. (in- -tiic-kswh-the "children found "end ■ lfss amusement, an interesting programme of sports was provided for their elders, while all around the beach picnic parties found charming spots to while away the day. Side shows and sports for the children added to the merry round of amusement.

At the East End there were similar scenes. Added to the attractions of the beach was the charm of boating on the river, which was delightfully shaded in the afternoon, and the boats were continually filled with happy parties. The donkeys on the beach proved a great attraction, and none of the animals was allowed much rest. During the afternoon an exhibition of life-sav" ing was given by the East End No. 2 team, under Captain Clark, which is the champion team of Taranaki. This aroused much interest, and the splendid manner in which the exhibition was carried out drew general appreciation. Side shows were in great TnWof.v. there were sports for young and a capital programme of music \y Mrs, George's orchestra added to the pleasure of the gathering. The energetic secretary, Mr. W. Roeh, carried out his numerous duties splendidly, and he was ably assisted 'by a hard-working committee.

The aquatic events held in the river at East End resulted as follows: High dive (boys under 16 years)—S. Shaw 1, Lealand 2. Fifty yards swimming on back—C Baker 1, S. Shaw 2. Canoe race—Lealand 1. Long dive—Baker 1, ,p. Crawford 2. Breast-stroke, 50 vards, for men Allen 1. Sixtv-six yards, for men—Winter 1, Kelly 2. Fifty yards, boys under 14 years— S. Bird 1, S. Evans 2.

AT MOTUROA. ■ During the past year or two, since the present committee took control, vast strides have been made in the improvements at the western end of the foreshore; bathing sheds have been provided for the ladies and the men, whilst there is quite a small township of cottages, erected on a systematic plan for campers, all fully occupied (mostly by residents of outside towns), and ail/ visited by numerous friends on the occasion of the popular New Year function. The committee had spared no pains to ensure the success of the gathering. All, from patron to secretary for the day, devoted themselves solely to entertaining their visitors, and the result of their efforts should do much to further popularise the .foreswore. It is, of course, hard to individualise, but one could not do justice to the picnic without mentioning that irresistible funmaker, the "King of the Beach," Mr. L. Hoffmann, Mr. R. J. Deare a'bly abetting him. Messrs D. J. Hughes (patron) and J. Hayden (secretary) kept a keen eve on everything, whilst the secretary (Mr. E. J. Ellis) and Mr. W. M. Falconer (assistant secretary) had their department right up to the moment. The Marathon race was the first item. It attracted four teams. The cup was won by Central from Waihi, the holders. Wailii provided the boy who finished in the fastest time, V. Marsh putting up the fine time of 16min 48 3-5 sec. Last year the fastest time was about 20min., and the distance was the same, from the Coronation Hall to the picnic ground. The treasure hunt brought out a field of 250, who delved merrily in the sand until thirty-nine out of tin- forty treasures were unearthed. Their efforts were keenly watched by a very interested crowd. This, which was in charge of Messrs Smallbone and Birch -Johnson, realised over £l2. Photographs of the spot where the £5 note was hidden were given out, and this competition, which was in charge of Mr. R. Paul, evoked keen interest. As soon as the £5 is unearthed, the result will be notified in the Daily News. Buneating, sheep-guessing, hoop-la, cakeguessing, dips, etc., added considerably to the day's takings, which should be in the vicinity of £BO. The children, too, were not forgotten, a committee, consisting of Messrs Hayden, Standish, Whitakcr and others having charge of the. juvenile races and making many a youngster glad. Mesdames Standish Hayden and Misses Hayden, Fryer, Tiplady, De T,amiay, Martin and Gilbert. Soft drinks and ice creams were the popular fancy, and stocks had to be replenished on several occasions. The patron (Mr. D. J. Hughes) presented the winners of the Marathon race with the medals won. He also received Mr. Hayden's cup from Mr. Bullians, headmaster of the Waihi School, and handed it to Mr- 'S. 3. Smith, chairman oT the Central School Committee. The winner of the fastest time also received a medal. The following were the results of the races:— Marathon Race—No. 1 Central (L. •Jenkins 2, B. Boon 3, 0. Moller 5, A. Harvey 6), 16 points. 1; Waihi (V. Marsh 1. T. Bailev 4, A. Cole 7. C. Cole 8), 20 points, 2: Tikoranei (A. Wills 10, O. Whitehead 13, R. Whitehead 14, A.

Alexander 15), 52 points, 3. Also started: Central Xo. 2, 78 points. Time, lOmin <IS 3-Osec. Potato Race—Girls: Miss Stait 1, Miss Spcnee 2, Miss Hodge 3. Boys: Adlam 1. Bayly 2. 150 Yards, girls—ti. Everest 1. 100 Yards, girls—Miss O'Dowda 1, Miss Ward 2, Miss fierridge U. Egg-and-spoon lince—Miss Stait 1, Miss Man- 2, Miss Uriggs 3. Small girls—Miss Haydcn 1, Miss Man-Three-legged Rare, l)oya—Berridgc and Francis 1, O'Dowda and Hodge 2. . Sack Eaee—Smith 1, McKay 2. 100 Yards, boys—'Fleming 1, Brown 2. Pillow Fights—Girls: Duleie Gardner. Boys: Alf. Loveridge. Jockey Race —Bavley and Samson 1, C. Cole and Ward 2. , Girls' Race —Miss Hodge 1, Miss Gardiner 2. Sack Race—Jones 1, Paul 2. Bgg-and-spoon Race, girls Miss Moore. Sack Race—Brown 1, Smart 2, Simp- , son 3. The various competitions resulted as iolkiws:—Cake-guessing: Messrs FitzJiatrick and Webster, yJb out (actual Height 91b 3'Aoz). Sheep-guessing (actual weightToP/,lb): iP. J. Haughev 165 lb, P. Stainton 1031b, A. R. Bayly 101% I fa. Hams were won 'by Mrs. Paul and ' ]?. Paul.