PIAKO.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 729, 17 February 1877, Page 3

PIAKO.

February B;,h, 1877, > We have been unfortunate this year as regards weather for cur, annual pic-'jic, which it was 'decided should be held as ÜBiial among 'Mr McDbnald'e peach trees,on Tuesday the.Cth inst.. Aiarge gathering w as : " ex pact 3d, and among btliei* attractions, it; was contemplated to bavs bur.friend Mr Low, , from Harniitbu, to, «' take*' the gro T up.' ' ; ;,' . But 45 the best , laid schemes ef mice and men : gang aft aaleo." The wind had been blowing as if for roio for : several days, and on M ondny it rained— nq, thank you, .. not cats and dogs— so heavily and steadily qs to render the prospects *of ; a large turn oufc :r on Tuesday very doubtful. The creeks, too rose so high as to oiake it impossible for some; to attend.' A few esteemed frionds from a distance managed to come to the district on Monday, being determined^ wot as it was) not to bu done out- of the pic-nic. On my expressing surprise as to how they managed to come in without ge' ting awfully 1 wet, it was explained that they got in between two showers and behind the tail of another in such a way as not to get very wet — no; implying, of course, ; that the taii afforded much shelter. _They escaped the shower in detail.] . -.a. It seemed doubtful qn Tuesday morning whether it would he wet or dry' and' peoV pie. seemed uncertain for a time whether to start or Jnot. However a start was made and the ground reached about 11 o'clock am— a pretty good .turn out after, all. ; Mr Low did not "take": the group, but soon after reaching the ground the group was overtaken by the rain which kept drizzling for about an hour. However Mr McDonald came to the rescue and proposed an adjournment to his. house where the good things' which the ladies. had so amply provided for us were partaken of. Judging from the quantity of provisions produced, 'Mrs Cochrane,' Mrs Walker, Mr Ticklepenr.y, Mrs Harp, ; Mrs 'Crawford and^Mrs Warren must have • xpected a large gatheriug. - • 7 1 did my best as carver (0 lighten their 'load home, but dash my buttons if I could succeed in getting that leg of mutton and huge fowl pie finished. Had it not been forjam'tarts and other tempting things, I might have. managed it. When I say jam tarts, if you please, I mean what! say -^-1 do not approve of the fashion of characterising the ladies as jam tarts. Swings were erected and. well patronised by tho youngsters. Mr Harp, junr, too, put them in great good humour with a handful of pocket handkerchiefs, which he gave as prizes for running. The principle on which the prizes was awarded seemed to give entire satisfaction, for. all seemed to get one or more, which came in handy J too to hold lollies whioh . were liberally distributed by many kind friends. 'The elders, enjoyed games of various sorts till about 4 o'clock p m when a start : was made for home. A considerable number however, betook themselves to the. new schoolhouse, where: dancing interspersed with songs, &c, was kept up till the roosters warned them that it was time to skedaddle. I was not there, but I was told the company enjoyed themselves very much. The, lost purse with the money, I am happy to say was found.— Own CoebesSOHDKKT. ;' V..