ST. MARY'S CHURCH, GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1839, 12 January 1889, Page 2

ST. MARY'S CHURCH, GERALDINE.

The annual treat and pariah festival in connection with the above Church took place in the small pirk, Geraldine, on Thursday lust, and was an unqualified success. The weather was everything that could be desired for picnicking, and consequently a very large number of persons were tempted to enjoy the outing. During the afternoon there were fully 400 children on the ground, and over 100 adults. The 1 children mustered at the church about 2 p.m., and from thence marched in procession to the rendezvous, accompanied by their teachers. A better place for such a gathering could scarcely ba chosen, as there is plenty of open ground for all sorts of games, while the large open plantation which surrounds it afforded abundance of grateful shade, which was very acceptable during the heat of the afternoon. The youngsters seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves with races, skipping, rings, rounders, swings, &c., and were regaled to their hearts’ content with tea, cake, buns, sandwiches, lollies, &c. Under the shade of the large trees, at the lower end of the ground, three large tables were erected, Mr Pearpoint supplying the timber and Mr A. White seeing to the carpentry. On these tables a substantial and tempting spread waa arranged for the adults, for which a charge of Is was made. The tables were presided over by Mesdamea Fish, Preston, J. W. Pye, Pearpoint, Pizzey, T. Sherratt, and Totton, assisted by Misses Fish, Slack, and Preston. In addition to the subscriptions and tables given, Mesdames Clark, Dunlop, and Pye gave toys, &c. Mesdamea Postlathwaite and Preston gave milk and fruit, Mesdames Bartrum, Postlethwaite and Moore gave hams, while many other ladies gave various articles, subscriptions, &c., and assisted with the children. During the afternoon no less than 240 paper bags filled with good things were distributed to the children attending the school, each scholar receiving something. Both old and young seemed to enjoy the outing thoroughly, and wended their way home about dusk, the majority declaring it was the most successful picnic over held in connection with the school. ,