BAND OF HOPE PIC-NIC.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 215, 14 March 1872, Page 5

BAND OF HOPE PIC-NIC.

The youthful hopeful band enjoyed a splendid pic-nic on the Lawrence recreation ground, on Saturday last. The picnic was under the auspices of members of the English, Wesleyan, Presbyterian, and Congregational churches, and was composed of children belonging to these denominations. The yourigsters, in their holiday attire, assembled in great force in the schoolroom about 10 a.m., and marched in procession, under the superintendence of Mr. Stenhouse, to the recreation ground, where there was a variety of means of amusement prepared for them. There was a stall erected and loaded with fancy bread, fruit, sandwiches, and edibles of all descriptions, which in due course were distributed amongst the children. From eleven o'clock in the morning till six in the evening, the young people enjoyed the sport most heartily, and without intermission, excepting when they -were engaged, during tea, stowing away the provisions which were so lavishly provided by the friends of the cause. A considerable number of the townspeople visited the happy scene during the day, and some of the older and more sedate of the adults forgot for the moment the cares of life, and joined the youngsters in their sports. The amusements which had

the preference during the day were swinging, footracing, kissing in the ring, twos and threes, and cricket. Amongst those present we observed the Revs. Messrs. Gilbert (Seamen's Missionary), Menzies, Bull, and Arnott. Great credit is due to the numerous ladies of the different denominations for the noble manner in which they provided, gratis, everything that could be desired in the form of provisions. The children, who numbered close \ipon 200, seemed thoroughly to enjsy themselves throughout the day, and doubtless the day's innocent sport will remain a green spot in the memory of many of them as long as they live.