ANNIVERSARY DAY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1527, 18 December 1886, Page 2

ANNIVERSARY DAY.

GERALDINE. Notwithstanding that a close holiday was observed at Geraldine on Thursday in honor of the Anniversary of the Province the town presented a very animated appearance owing to the large number of pleasure seekers that poured into it from early: in the day attracted tiiither by the beauty and convenience of its far-famed bush for picnicking. Picnic parlies from Orari, Ternnka, Timaru, and other places arrived continuously during the morning and scattered themselves over the bush. THE VOUTEERB. The local volunteers held a shooting competition for the handsome challenge cup presented by Lieutenant Ward. Fortunately the firing took place in the early part of the day,so that the members competing hud the benefit of fair weather. The wind, however, was baffling and the light uncertain, which were not conducive to good shooting, ; Private; W. Coombs, as will be seen by the annexed scores, was the successful competitor this year, and will bold the cup until .next year, when should he again be the highest scorer, it will become bis property. The following are the scores j—.

PRESBYTERIAN SABBATH SCHOOL. Tbe annual treat in connection with this School took place on Thursday last in the Park, Geraldine. About noon, the hour for assembling at the Good Templar Hall, a heavy shower came up from the sou’*west and tbe weather bore every appearance of ihe day being decidedly wet. Those children who arrived were mustered in the Hall and several very nice hymns were sung and an excellent little address delivered by the Rev, G. Barclay. In a short time however, to the intense relief of all, the rain cleared off and the children were marched in a body to the Park. The Geraldine Brass Band, under the leadership of Bandmaster T, Sberratt, headed the procession, and enlivened the march with their music. A large marquee had been erected on the grounds and abundance of good things provided, and both old and young joining in a variety of games made the day’s outing a thorough success. The band played several of their choicest selections during the day, which were enjojed immensely. The teachers were most energetic in their efforts to p'ease tbe little ones and the arrangements previously made having been almost perfect not a hitch of any description occurred. The company dispersed to their respective homes as evening closed in, young and old having succeeded in thoroughly enjoying and tiring themselves. TEMUKA. Thursday, being the thirty-sixth anniversary of the Province of Canterbury, was observed as a public holiday. The day proved fine, but was at times unpleasantly hot, and at one time (here was every appearance of a thunderstorm, but only a few drops of rain fell. With the exception of several school picnics, accounts of which will be found below, there were no amusements provided in the district, and the town throughout tbe day—with the exception of during the time of tbe departure and arrival of the picnickers, and the commencement and conclusion of the Catholic concert —presented a very quiet, not to say deserted, appearance. ST. SAVIOUR'S SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY. The annual treat m connection with St. Saviour's Sunday School took place on December 16th at the Arowhenua Bush, which Mr A. M. Clark had kindly placed at the disposal of the promoters, of the treat. At 10 a.m. the children and their teachers and friends, together with the choir, assembled at the church. There a short service was held, and an address delivered by the Incumbent, who expressed the pleasure which be felt at being sufficiently recovered from the effects of the late accident as to be able to assist in the proceedings of the day. He spoke upon a clause in the prayer for guidance i( that we may fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger.” He trusted they would not fall into sin by giving way to temper, nor mar each other’s happiness by any acts of salfieLness or rudeness. The dangers of the river were rj verted to, as also the need of respecting growing crops and other property. The rev. gentleman then spoke of those who were debarred from the treat by illness. He urged them to give their sick schoolmates a token of their sympathy by setting aside some little things, in order to show them they were not forgotten. In conclusion, he asked all present to thank God for health and capacity to enjoy the innocent recreation of the day. The children were the# marched out of

the church to the vehicles which were in attendance to convey them to their destination. The procession was headed by Temuka Drum and Fife Band, under the' able leadership of Mr Proudlock. Mr Nicholas’ dr >g, filled with teachers, took up the leading position, followed in close succession by a large Lincolnshire waggon charioteered by Mr James Benbow, and filled to its utmost with little girls. Another waggun (with Mr Charles Walker as “Jehu’*) followed, heavily laden with “our bOys.” The elder scholars and friends were distributed in traps and baggies, driven respectively by Messrs Austin, Harte, Crompton, Palmer, Walker, Fenton, Bryan, Lee, Clinch, Powell, and Mrs Crompton. The procession was further augmented by friends joining at intervals along the line of march until the total number of vehicles swelled to twenty* three, forming a most imposing sight. Banners bearing suitable mottoes ware hoisted in conspicuous positions in the waggons, and bannerettes were freely waved by little hands all along the lue. The procession moved slowly through the Main Street to the inspiriting strains of the Band, and after crossing the Temuka ! bridge proceeded rapidly to the rendezvous. Here the company soon dispersed itself -the boys to cool their ardour in the liquid waters of the Opihi, the girls to find pleasure io roaming in pleasant groves and quiet glades. Soon afterarrival a hearty meal was partaken of,' and then games and sports became the order of the day. A large quantity of toys provided prizes for the racing, jumping and skipping contests. During the afternoon nuts, lollies, and fruit were freely distributed, and a barrel of ginger beer and raspberry vinegar (the kind gifts of Messrs Bio ley and H. Lee, respectively) dispensed. It is estimated that fully 350. persons were present in the ground. Tea was served at 4 p.m. and an hour later, a strong nor’-west wind having sprang up, it was deemed advisable to return home, but before leaving the grounds the procession : halted and Superintendent Gaze called for three hearty cheers for Mr and Mrs ; • A. M. Clark, which was enthusiastically . responded to. Arriving at the bridge the procession was once more headed by, the band, and on reaching the church the children disembarked, and after giving ' hearty cheers for “The Band,” “The” Drivers,” and the ladies and gentlemen v who had assisted in giving them pleasure, they dispersed to their homes, having spent the most enjoyable day on record.. The whole proceedings were marked with good behaviour, and not a single an 4 ' pleasantness or mishap occurred to mar the day’s enjoyment. This is doubtless 1 - owing to the unanmity of the teachers ;■ and the good discipline prevailing in the school, and also to the indefatigable - efforts of several ladies and gentlemen of the congregation who assisted them. We are requested to convey the thanks of the Incumbent and Superintendent to all who, by contribution or otherwise, assisted in giving the day’s outing to the children. WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL PICNIC. Shortly before 10 o’clock the scholars attending the Wesleyan Sunday School assembled in (he Church, when a hymn was sung and ihe Rev. W. Q. Thomas offered up a prayer and briefly addressed those present. The children, to the number of about 49, were then marshalled , info order by the Superintendent of the Sunday School, Mr Dimond, and marched to the Temuka Park, which had been chosen for the scene of the day’s proceedings where their number were considerably ' reinforced. The children then amused themselves in various ways until 12 o’clock, when dinner was partaken of. This over, a programme of sports, comprising about a dozen events, were gone through the prizes being both pretty and useful. In one of the contests, skipping, a little girl skipped 995 times. A couple of swings had been erected, and were kept constantly filled, and cricket and rounders were played with zest by the adults who were present. It is estimated that fully 200 persons were on the ground during the afternoon. At 5 o’clock another enjoyable repast was partaken of, and then sports were engaged in till 7 o’clock, when the children were assembled and sang a hymn and the Rev. W. OK Thomas pronounced the benediction, which brought the proceedings to a termination. The refreshments were plentiful and good, and testified to the liberality and forethought of those who kindly provided them; The Rev. Mr Thomas, the Superintendent (Mr Dimond) and the teachers deserve very great praise for the manner in which they kept the children amused during the day. Mr Dimond deserves special mention. TEMUKA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, The annual outing given to the children attending the Temuka Presbyterian School proved remarkably successful. As the Geraldine Bush had been decided upon as the most suitable place for the day’s amusement, an early start was made. At 9 o’clock the children assembled in the church, where a short prayer was offered by Mr R. Darroch, and all were then got into the conveyances in waiting—Messrs G. Davey’s, W. Weir s, W. Aokroyd’s, and J. Austin’s expresses, Mr Shaw’s waggonette, and a number of traps—and a start was made for the Bush, which was reached about halfpast 10 o’clock. Here a number of pleasure seeks from Waitohi, B.ugltira,|Orari, and others from Temuka who did not staff from' the church joined, the number present being estimated at 500. A number of willing bands at once busied themselves in getting refreshments ready, the juniors, meanwhile amusing themselves in various games and viewing the beauties of the place. The site of the picnic was a paddock near the Catholic Church, and a better one could not have been fixed upon. At half-past 12 o’clock all gathered together and partook of a hearty meal, their appetites being keen after the long but pleasant drive. After dinner a programme of sports was gone through, the children contesting the various (events with great spirit. A teachers’ race was also ran, and was well contested. Numbers wandered through the bush gathering ferns, and otherwise amusing themselves, the trees forming a grateful shade from the sun. Tea was served at 5 o’clock, and aftar another hoar had been spent in merrymaking a start homeward was made. All the vehicles reached home safely with the exception of Mr Ackroyd’s express, the hind axle of which broke when about four miles .from Geraldine* Then

were about 20 ocoupah florid these were unceremoniously thrown out on to the road, the only one who managed to retain his seat Being the driver, Mr Darroch. Happily no one was seriously hurt, thoagh many were braised and frightened, and the unfortunates were quickly—with the exception of two, who preferred' to walk —dispersed among a couple of traps, a waggonette, and an express, which were near at hand., Th* damaged vehicle was brought home at a’ latfer hour. It should be mentioned that r the provisions, which Wer» plentiful!.' and of first-class quality, were provided by various friends andMr H. Darroch. Messrs Cain, Norton, Dt.rroch, Phillips, Coltman, Reid, Mogndge, Taylor, and McCullough deserve.great praise lor the way they* exerted themselves, in gettingnpi,the races, aud in otherwise assisting in promoting the enjoyment of all present. Last evening about 200 children were provided with a tea at the church, there being a large quantity of provisions left from the preceding day. The little folk* were well attended to by the Superintendent c f the Sunday School and a number of tl * dy teachers, and appeared to greatly ei.j jy themselves. ST. JOSEPH’S SCHOOL CONCERT, TEMUKA. The concert given by the children attending St. Joseph’s Convent School, held last Thursday in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, was one of the most successful ever held there. The hal ; Was crowded to overflowing, every inch of room being occupied. There wer* people from Geraldine, Pleasant Valley, Pleasant Point, and all the. interrsning districts present. The stage and its Surroundings were beautifully decorated with evergreens, and flowers, the word “ Welcome ” being worked in flowers on the front under the footlights. Several •plendid pots of flowers lent by Mr J. Whitehead also, considerably added to the general effect, the whole presenting u very pleasing appearance. The concert was opened with a prologue by Miss Lacy Quinn, who spoke the words With grest effect, and showed an IntelHgsot appreciation of their meaning. An overture rn the piano played hy Miss Quinn was also excellent, and this. Was followed* by a. chorus entitled * King Christmas,” in which a whole •tagefnl of girls took part. The wav the children came on the stage and ■ang showed they had been carefully trained. A dialogue between Masters J, Connolly, H. Louis, and I’. Dunne passed off in a manner* that won applause, all the boys speaking their parts well. A song entitled V Fairy: Bells,” which was capitally rendered by a Bomber of little girls, was succeeded by • recitation entitled “ The Holly and ITJ,” in which Mrssei A.JMarphy and C. Gaffaney took part, Both spoke their parts well, Miss C. Gaffaney, considering her age, acquitting . herself very ably. Miss O. Gaffaney subsequently played “ Those Evening Bells ”on the piano, very creditably. The Misses Connolly next sang “Whispering Hope,” ► and subsequently “ Christmas Chimes ” in a manner that won for them expressions of approbation in the shape of a ibower of bouquets of flowers. A dialogue entitled “ The Talisman,” which Misses Murphy, Conuel, BfßS* Ban, and Woulte took part, was gone through effectively, all the girls speaking their parts remarkably well. A chorus of little boys sang “Do They Miss Me at Home ?” iu very good voices, which blended well together, and Miss M. A. Connolly recited “The Flower Girl” in a very intelligent and clever manner, A recitation entitled “The Trades” was spoken effectively by Masters J. Gaffaney, K. Lavery, M. Quinn, B. Bourke, J. Jackson, and M. Demath, end Master Louis saug “ I’am Fond of Taking it Easy,” which won for him great applause, “ The Adopted Child,”! a' dialogue spoken by Misses Fitzgerald and E, Thompson, was one of the best pieces of the evening. Miss Thompson does not look more than five or six years of age, aud is small even for that, yet she spoke her part jn a way that would do credit to a girl of 20 years. The Misses Quinn played a pianoforte dnet, and subsequently Miss Quinn played an overture. Both pieces were given splendidly. A dramatic piece entitled “ Ercscliff Hall ” was next ou the programme. In this characters were represented as follows ; —Countess Moreland, Miss M. A. Connolly ; Miss Sinclair (her niece), Miss Fitzgerald ; Miss Hamilton (her niece); Miss C. Gaffaney ; Maggie (her maid), Miss M. Gaffaney ; Lucy (little housemaid), Miss Lucy Quinn ; Evans (footman), Master H, J. Lonis. This piece was excellently represented, the way.. in which the girls deported themselves on the stage and the intelligence with which they spoke their parts being almost faultless. It is rather invidious te single out any one fur special praise when all did so well, but Miss Lucy Quinn, who represented the comic element of the piece, deserves special mention. She was really first-class. This was followed by the song and chorus, “ Don’t Let it Happen Again,” by Masters T. Dunne, H. Louis, and the boys, and was rendered in a manner ' which won general applause. A chorus “Always Happy,” by all the girls, passed off successfully. The dialogue, “ Where Ignorance is Bliss, ’twero Folly to be Wise,” by Masters J. Connolly, H. Lonis, and T. Dunne SH well spoken, and Miss Connolly fang in very good voice “ In Her Little Bed We Laid Her.” A recitation, “ I’m Only a Boy,” by Master M. Demuth ; a piano solo, “ St Patrick’s Day,” by Miss Lucy Quinn, and a song, “ The Orphan Boy,” by Missea Demuth and M. Connolly, passed off successfully. Next was presented a dramatic sketch entitled “ King Alfred,” and delineating a well-known episode in lifa of the king. In this Masters ■ it”'

Louis, Elkis, Connolly, and Mies E. Gaffaney acquitted themselves very credit.ab y. A dialogue, “ The Coffee was not Strong,” portraying the little troubles of domestic life, was capitally spoken by Master J. Connolly and Miss K. Lavery. A recitation, “ Deeds not Words,” was cleverly rendered by Miss C, Popplewell, and a solo entitled “ i’he Swiss Toy Girl,” given by Mips B. Connolly—a little girl who could not bo much more than seven years old—was one of the gems of the evening. The music of it was delightful, and the the way it; was sung was excellent. A dialogue jentited “ The Gossips, ” in which Misses Demath, Murphy, M. Connolly, aod M. A. Connolly took part was creditably spoken, and next a full chorus of 'all the girls, “ I Wish You ail Good* Health,” brought out Miss Looy Qainn, who s»:d she had been deputed by her teachers and companions to t hank those present for their attendance and patient hearing, and also to wish them «ll “ A Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.” The performance was brought to a close by singing the National Anthem. Miss Gaffaney ably accompanied the singing throughout, One great feature of the proceedings was the order, regularity, and grace with which the whole performance was carried out, and the cleverness and ability exhibited by the children showed how carefully they had been trained, Ihe Sisters of St. Joseph’s may well be congratulated on the suicess which attended their concert.

300 500 600 yds yds yds Tl, Private W. Coombs .. 8 13 8 — 29 Private Bethune 13 4 3 — 20 Private J. Kalaugher,. 8 3 7 — 18 Lance-Corpl. 0. Foster 9 5 3 — 17 Private J, Sutherland. 9 0 7 — 16 Corporal E. Mtllard .. 5 4 5 — 14 Private H. Smith ... 6 2 3-11 Sergeant K. McKenzie 8 3 0 — ll Bandsman T. Ward .. 8 3 0 — 11