FUN ON THE BEACH.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 April 1916, Page 3

FUN ON THE BEACH.

RECORD GATHERING AT KAWAJROA PARK. EAST END WELL PATRONISED. The increasing popularity of New Plymouth's foreshore was in evidence yesterday, when despite the fact that there were 'numerous outside attractions, and that it is getting late in the season for • beach functions, there must have been fully 3000 people disporting themselves at the picnics arranged by the Kawaroa iPerk and East End picnic committees. The weather fortunately proved kind, for Sunday's downpour was followed by a mild warm day, though it became clirHy as evening advanced.

KAWAROA PARK. Here an attendance of close on 4000 assembled, practically the whole of the countryside, being represented. The improvements effected here by the committee came as an eye-opener to those who were on their first visit to this charming spot, the vast expanso of kwn, which will be considerably augmented in the near future with its magnificent fringe of native bush shelter, proving indeed an ideal picnic place. Good uw ■was made of the shelter by picnic parties, whilst the lawn was kept occupied by the energetic committee, who had provided a very attractive programme for the delectation of visitors. The swings, ovean wave, etc., etc., were well patronised by the children. It ,is expected that over £l5O will be available to further improve the park, the popularity of which was undoubtedly enhanced by the gathering, which was a record in every way. All the committee worked well. There was plenty to do, but there were willing workers in every department and all went smoothly. Where all worked well it is iijvidious to particularise, but reference must bo made to' the three prime workers, Messrs V. H. Beal, chairman of the committee, who has been virtually president since the resignation of Mr. A. E. Sykes owing to pressure of business; Mr. G A. Salt (secretary); and Mrs. Oliver, president of the Ladies' Committee. The ladies were kept particularly busy with afternoon tea (served in marquee and bungalow), fruit stall, lolly stall, soft drinks, guessing competitions galore, etc, whilst the men attended (< swash at the Kaiser, cocoanut shies, donkey riding, Sambo and his friends, she .guessing, potato guessing, etc., etc., and various other methods of extracting the nunble sixpence. All these proved most successful.

There was a fine programme of spectacular events, comprising Rainbow ■Dance, by Central School girls; Swedish drill, by 30 of the Wailri school children; poi dance by Waihi girls; rope walking by Blondini and Blondini, Jnr.; strolling minstrels (Messrs. Loveli, Vincent and Farmer). ■Decorated Tricycle: Master T. Fi,tzputrick 1, Master N. Rogers 2; Go-carts: Nancy Gardiner 1, Mona Thompson 2. A splendid programme of sports was submitted. Messrs. R. Ellis and R. J. •Deare, of Ngamotu, lending valuable assistance, the tug-of-war which produced seven entries provided a great finish, Waihi boys, well coached by Mr. T. N. Skelton, putting up some great pulls against High School B and High School A., thoroughly deserving the applause that greeted their win. The relay race was won by High School A with Waihi second. There were ten entries. Other events were:—

Bsys race under 14: Cole 1, Pennington 2; under 12, MeMann 1, Ferguson 2; smnll. Sturnicy 1, Stroud 2; TV MeMann 1, ,T. Erling 2; lfigh jump, C. Fowler 1; under 12, Pennington 1; long jump, R. 0. Dowda 1; blindfold boxing, Toi Mann 1; under 12, F Newell 1; N. Sharroek 2. Girls, under 14, May Smart 1, Ferguson 2; small, Norma Bealo 1, Nita Ferguson 2; Lily Overlon 1, Jean Berge 2 Stepping the chain competitions were won by ir. Gaylard and Graham. finessing competitions resulted: Watch (valued \C(i 10s) (actual number 1033), Mr. Young 1937; sheep (lODlbs) Mr. J. Russell, correct weight; cake donated by Mrs .Pratt (220 beans), Mrs. Stockman and Mrs. McCall tied, the former winning the draw; cake (presented by Mra. May), Miss Christina Xodder; cake (donated by .T. West), Gib loz, Mesdames J. Morey and Denton each (libs; potatoes (number 403), Mrs. W. Paissell 407 and J. Wiley 4SO; dolls name, no one gnesed the correct name Barbara, so the doll was drown for, Mrs. Reader winning. In all over £2OO was taken, which must be considered liighly creditable.

Mrs. Woods' orchestra provided a very attractive programme of music, which was very much appreciated. The Waihi children) who undoubtedly added much to the attractions of the afternoon, were met by the committee and with their waster (Mr. Bnllians) and the members of the school committee were entertained at luncheon. The hot water which was provided free, was taken full advantage of, over 200 gallons being distributed. The euchre party and dance in the Good Templar Hall in the evening were well patronised.

AT FAST END. About fifteen hundred were present at the Fast End Bathing Reserve, the energetic committee of which, as usual, had arranged an attractive programme The committee is constantly studying the convenience of the public in effecting improvements, one of the latest of which, a foot-bridge over Te llenui river, proved a great boon to pedestrians. There was plenty to amuse visitors in the way of side-shows, raffles, etc., all of which were well patronised and should swell the proceeds, which it is intended to devote to the liquidation of the debt incurred by the enlargement of the pavilion, which is now one of the finest of its kind in the Dominion. The committee, who all worked towards the success of the function, comprised Messrs C. Sadler, J. Elliot, W. Hardgraves, F. Danks, K. Krutz, G. Fcek, H. Keek, S. Stroud, G. Gunson, W, Gunson, IT. Bellringer, and Monk', whilst a special meed of praise is due to the secretaries, Messrs W. Rocli and R. Bennoeh, who kept their department right up to the moment. Among the sideshows were the Art Gallery, in charge of C. Sadler; Smasho the Kaiser (Trooper Coleman), boating on the river (S. Stroud), shooting gallery (15. Krntz), bran tub (F. Danks). Afternoon tea, cosily served in the pavilion, was presided over by Mesdames Henrichs, Bennoeh and Jenkins, and Misses Gunson (2) and Henrieha (2), who had a busy time. The baby show, which was organised by Bennoeh and W. Roch, proved a popular item, no less than fifty dainty mites being paraded before the judges, Mesdames R. Jenldn3 and J. Harvie, who had a very difficult task. The winners proved to be:—Under 18 months: John Clarke 1, Esmond Asquith 2. Under 0 months: L. Sclraltz 1, D. Goble 2. Twins: Ruby and Vera Bint (Hillsborough) 1,

The sports, winch were controlled by Messrs H. Sadler and J. Elliott, resulted:—Married Men's Race: Roberts 1, F. desman 2; twenty entries. Girls, under 14: M. Julian 1, M. Anfridge 2, T. Sadler 3 Girls, under 8: E,'Wilson 1, D. Siroud 2, A. Buckley 3. Small girls: M, Gush 1, 31, Keating 2, W. Lindrran 3. Girls, under !): JI. Gush 1, E. Wilwm 2. Girls, under 10: H. Kendrick 1, A, Barrett 2, K. Cairn 3. Hop: M. Wellington J, M. Geoghan 2, N. Julian 3. Boys, under 14: H. Kendrick 1, A. Barrett and J, Julian 2. Under 10: A. Munro 1, J. Hogg 2. C. Marshall 3. Hop: Hogg 1, Baker 2. Wheelbarrow; Coleman and Barrett 1, Brosnan Bros 2. Ladies' Race: Mrs. Terrill 1, Mrs. Wooidridge 2. Committee race: E. Gunsoii 1, Trooper Coleman 2, R. Bennock 3. Chain Stepping: IP. Bolton 1.

Guessing competitions resulted as follows:—£10 gold nugget, L. Shera; £5 gold nugget, J. Coombe; sheep guessing (actual weight O0%lb): Messrs Mascote, N. Hardgraves and J. James tied, the first named winning. The dolls' house, etc., were to be drawn at the social in the Pavilion last night. During the afternoon, Mrs. George's orchestra provided a programme of delightful music, which was listened to by a very appreciative audience. It is expected that over £SO will be netted from the gathering.