FEATHERSTON SCHOOL PICNIC.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 972, 12 January 1882, Page 2

FEATHERSTON SCHOOL PICNIC.

The Featherston School pionic, under the management of Mr Tuckey (head master), took place on Tuesday last, on tliei reserve recently leased to Mr Bumiv, and proved a most enjoyable meeting. The weather was all that could Mesired, and the spot chosen to a most suitable one for the purpose. Plenty of toes dotted about, afforded a pleasant shade whilst the eatmg was going on, and a paddock juat outside the reserve was kindly lent by Mr Viles for the cricket, foot raoing, and other B por& Being close to the townhsip, most of the parents thl ' 6 chiltlvenclimo to see the l ttle folks enjoy themselves, and we should say that at least four hundred persons in all must have been present, A sub-committee had been appointed to look alter the sports, and we can congratulate' them on the success of their efforts. The prizes were both numerous and well worth winning, and though we are unable to give the names of the winners, we were especially struck with'the running of Hugh Jackson amongtlie boys, and Sarah Bennett among-tbe girls. A race after the fashion of the egg and basket game, was cot up by Mr McLaren, potatoes being used instead of eggs, and like everything that gentleman undertakes, it was well arranged and successful. . The runners had to pick up one at a time, 45 potatoes plrced a yard apart, and put hem mt° a b o x ptod at theend of each, hue To gather them all in, each competitor had to run over a thousand vards, twelve boys started, and the winner of the first prize was Hugh Jackson. A cricket match was played between sides chosen by the head master and Mr JKeir, and resulted in a victory for the latter, In another part of the ground " Aunt sally was posted and was largely patronised, as also were the swings and other amusements especially rounders and diop the handkerchief. Great provision had been made for quenching the hunger and thirst of the younpSpeople, and at one o'clock, and afterwards about iye, the way great piles of ham sandwiolies, tartß, cakes, and buns vanished was a sight to behold, A stream of water olose by supplied the pure element, from which a constant supply of tea and coffee was kept up all day, and a twenty-gallon cask of gmgei' beer was also run dry, The dispensing of the good things was of course presided over chiefly by the ladies what a dismal thing a picnic would be ]adies— and they were most watchful that no one should come on to the ground without being pressed to partake of friufc and cake, if not inclined for anything more substantial, The shades ot mgbt were coming on apace when the children at last gathered themselves together and cheered till they were hoarse, ana then went to their homes tired and nappy.