SEASIDE PICNIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 January 1920, Page 6

SEASIDE PICNIC.

GALA DAY AT NGAMOTU. Seaside picnics in the summer season are always popular, and yesterday's annual outing at the Ngamotu beach proved one of the most successful ever held there. The weather conditions were ideal. There was no scorching sunshine to make the sand uncomfortably hot to .Hie feet, or to mar the complexions of those to whom sunburn is an injury to their pride. There was no breeze to blow the sand about, and picnickers were able to spread their cloths and open their luncheon hampers without discomfort. It was not surprising, therefore, that one of the largest crowds ever seen gathered on the beach for a day's enjoyment. . Right up till well into the afternoon the tram service was taxed to deal with the crowds going beaeliwards, and large numbers of motor and other vehicles carried many more visitors out, while the train from the country, which was run right to Pioneer Road, brought a further large crowd, and the gate takings for the day amounted to approximately £123 ss, which was £4O above the previous record. It is three years since the Ngamotu Committee has been fortunate enough to have fine weather for their annual picnic, and it may be said they were justly entitled to yesterday's success. | Large numbers of people indulged in j surf-bathing, while the races on the sand for the children kept the energetic PresiI dent of the Society and one or two helpj ers going on "top gear" for quite a while. The great "stunt" for the children, however, was the "treasure hunt," and a large amount of energy was expended for the space of about an hour and a half in the effort to unearth hidden wealth. The ladies' committee had a well-stocked stall of produce and fancy goods. There was also a toy stall, and eocoanut shies, as well as a number of competitions. The takings from all of these, however, are to be credited to the Queen Carnival Competition, which will not conclude until the 20th inst. I

One of the features.of the picnic was the presence of the Queen Alexandra Regimental Band, from Wauganui, con-sisting-of :io < instrumentalists, under Lieut, Geo. BuclSley. They played a generous programing of good-class band musjc, which was highly appreciated, and provoked frequent outbursts of hearty applause.

Altogether, yesterday's outing was a conspicuous success, and the officers and committee of the Society are to be congratulated on the manner in which they catered for the enjoyment of the visitors. The thank's of the committee is also extended to those who ga"Ve donations to the various stalls and for the competitions.