SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION PIC-NIC.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 430, 30 January 1875, Page 2

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION PIC-NIC.

Many eyes in Tuapeka were turned towards tho clouds and the weather-glass yesterday morning. The annual Sunday School Union Pic-nic was to be held, and all the well-wisbers of the rising generation of the Tuapeka district were anxious for a fifie 3ay that the young folks might enjoy their annual holiday. The recollections of last yeai^s youthf id sport on the Recreation Ground were lively in the memories of many of the children, and yesterday's gala day has been looked forward to by many for some time past. It so happened that the weather was very beautiful — indeed could nob have been more so ; and between ten and eleven o'clock close upon 400 children had gathered together in the playground of the Grammar School. About eleven o'clock they were all formed in procession, and marched to the Recreation Ground, by way of Ross Place and Peel-street. The sight was really pleasant — probably a more pleasant one could not be pictured by the imagination. Two of the eldest boys carried a banner bearing a device with the words " Sunday School Union Pic-nic " in bold letters upon it, and a large number of small flags in different colors were carried by other boys There was about an equal number of boys and girls ; the latter were very neatly dressed, while all were clean and tidy. The schools represented- were — Lawrence schools, Blue Spur, Wetherstones, Evans Flat, and Clarks Ilat. The children were looked after by their teachers, and all the preliminary arrangements seemed to be carried out like clock-work.

On arriving at the Recreation Ground there were all kinds of amusements got up for the children. Mr. Humphrey had kindly allowed the Grand Stand used at the race meeting to remain, and Mr. Storry's capacious marquee, besides giving excellent shelter from the hot sun, was an excellent, retreat for the enjoyment of a cup of tea,which was indulged in by a large number of adults. When we visited the scene at about four o'clock there must have been, including young and old, at least 600 persons present. The scene while the children and many of the grown-up folks were at play was indeed a most delightful one, and we heard many expressions such as the following :—": — " This is much better than the races ; " "no policemen wanted here," &c, &c. It was very pleasing to see some of those who had passed the sunny days of youth entering into the boyish sports with snch relish anrl 7oof "W- . x ?'~ 1 "-- u r' "•"• who came withm range of his fiddle on the tip-toe of desire for a dance, until a few chose their partners and danced a few quadrilles on the green sward, to their evident delight.

The children were regaled with sandwiches and milk and many kinds of fancy bread, and any quantity of lollies. Why these horridly poisonous things, lollies, are publicly given- to children we cannot tell, but it is certainly one of the bad habits that prevail. -About six o'clock, although the fun had not by any means slacked, the Committee thought it wise to send the young folks home, and a large number of vehicles freely placed at the command of the Committee of Management were soon on the spot to convey those who lived at a distance to their homes. It took some time, however, to clear the ground and wind up such a day's amusement as young and old have rarely enjoyed. The thanks of the Committee are due to none more than to Mrs. Silk and Mrs. Scott for providing the tea and dispensing the eatables. * .