WINCHESTER SCHOOLS PICNIC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1447, 29 December 1885, Page 3

WINCHESTER SCHOOLS PICNIC.

The annual treat of the children attending the Winchester Day and Snnday Schools took place on .Monday, 28th inst. At an early hour the whole of the children marched from the school with banners flying, and headed by Mr Robert Mnith. Superintendent of the Sunday School, and Mr Cooke, Head Teacher of the Winchester School, to the “ Gums,” a retired and sheltered spot near Winchester. This place is famed as a delightful spot for picnics, owing to the good water obtainable and the splendid shade afforded by the clumps of trees. On arriving at the ground the children were dismissed, the girls finding four .or five swings awaiting them, and the boys cricket materials, etc. Nearly the whole of Winchester turned out to take part in the festivities, and a large number came from the Orari and the adjacent parts of the district. Dinner was announced at mid-day. The juveniles were first attended to, and then the adults were amply provided for, grace being said by the Rev. T. A, Hamilton. The afternoon was fully occupied with races and games of all kinds. Several pounds’ worth of toys were distributed in prizes, some of which were very valuable. The first race for boys, over hurdles, was won by H. Cameron ; the second by J, Hawke ; the third by David Cameron ; the fourth, flat race handicap, by Wm. Gimpnou ; the fifth, do, by Wra. Moss ; the sixth by Bertie Cameron. A long race, four times round the course and over hurdles, was won by John Austin. A handicap flat race was won by Montagu Cooke. Some very good races were run by the girls, the winners being ; First, hurdle race, Alice Klee; second, hurdle race, Annie Swinton ; third, flat handicap race, Rose Gimpson (the winner was heavily handicapped, the others having 30 yards start) ; fourth, flat race, Nellie Fenton; fifth, Jennie Fenton. A large number of races were run by the younger children, a large percentage receiving prizes. The skipping prizes were keenly contested, Alice Klee proving the winner, scoring 481, Lucy Hawke second with 355, and Bose Gimpson third with 306. Mrs Hamilton, Mrs Smith, and Mrs In wood acted as judges of the skipping. Messrs R. Smith, Ensor and Cooke were indefatigable in starting the races and keeping the children amused, whilst the Rev. T. A. Hamilton kindly acted as judge and presented the prizes to the winners. An adjournment for tea was made at 5 p.m., when, in addition to the oidinary fare of cakes, buns, etc., the children were liberally regaled with cherries, strawberries and lollies. Tea was followed by the distribution of the Sunday School prizes, which were presented by Mrs Hamilton, The following is the class lists : ATTENDANCE PRIZES. First Class—Girls : Sarah Lewis, Alice Klee, Annie Gimpson, and Christina Klee, I. Boys ; Robert Wilks and Wm. Moore, 1 ; John Austin, 2. Second Class—Girls : Katherine Moore, Jessie Cooke and Mabel Cooke, 1; Martha Philp, ,2. Boys: John Moore, Leslie Moore, George Austin and James Hart, 1, Third Class —Girls : Mary Wilks and Sarah Cripps, X ; Florence Moore and Harriet Cripps, 2, Roys : James Moore, 1 ; Wm. Gimpson, Charles Ensor and Ernest Nichols, 2. Fourth Class—Boys ; Charles Wilks and John Cooke, 1 ; Joseph Shallard and Percy Shallard, 2. PRIZES FOR MARKS. First .Class —Girls : Alice Klee, 1; Rose Gimpson, Annie Gimpson, and Sarah Lewis, 2. Boys : John Austin and Montagu Cooke, 1 ; Wm. Moore and Edmund Ensor, 2. Second Class—Girls: Jessie Cooke and Mabel. Cooke, 1 ; Martha Philp, 2. Boys : Samuel Shallard, 1 ; George Austin, 2 ; John Moore, 3. Third Class—Girla ; May Wilks, 1 ; Florence Moore, 2 ; Norah Steel, 8. Boys;: James Moore and John Lewis, 1 ; Ernest Nichols, 2.

Fourth Class—Boys : John Cooke, 1 ; Alfred Cripps, 2 ; Percy Shallard and Joseph Shallard, 3. Special prizes in the shape of four handsomely-bound Bibles were then presented to those who had gained the two highest places in the Ist and 2nd Classes in an open examination in religious knowledge. The Rev. T. A. Hamilton stated that the papers were on the whole very creditable, and gave abundant evidence of diligence on the part of the scholars, and careful and thoughtful training on the part of the teachers. The prize winners in Ist Class were : Montague Cooke, 1 ; John Wilks, 2. In the 2nd Class—John Moore, 1 ; James Hart, 2. The girls acquitted themselves very creditably, the third and fourth places in each class being secured by them. They will probably give a good account of themselves next year.

At. the conclusion of the prize-giving the Rev. Mr Hamilton spoke a few earnest words of encouragement to the children; commended the praiseworthy labours of the teachers, and specially mentioned the debt of gratitude which all Winchester owed to Mr and Mrs Robert Smith for their kind super-

int 1 iifience anil hearty labour of love in (lonii'-cion witli the Sunday School, and called ("• foree cheers lor them, which the children responded to, making the welkin ring with their lusty cheers. The day was happily concluded at 7 p.nn., the children having thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and they dispersed after giving hearty cheers for the promoters of the treat, and all who had contributed in any way to their day’s enjoyment.

We understand the prizes of the day school will he distributed at a later date.