Third Annual Radio Picnic at 4YA

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 38, 3 April 1931, Page 3

Third Annual Radio Picnic at 4YA

Bigger and Better

HH third annual 4YA radio picnic was held on Saturday, March 21, and was a comPlete success, if the numbers may be taken as evidence, The story of the 4YA picnics is one of ‘increasing popularity. The first picnic in 1929 established itself among Dunedin’s biggest events by an attendance of 1500; the second in 1930 taxed to breaking point the city’s largest motor transport organisation and became the biggest gnnual picnic by an attendance of nearly 8000; the 1931 picnic just held eclipsed all, previous records by an attendance of’ nearly 4000, This year the Governent Railway Department was called upon to earry the enthusiastic crowds to Evansdale, a beautiful spot about 16 miles from Dunedin, and did so in four special trains. Dunedin weather is noted for being capricious, and it confirmed its reputation. Friday was as delightful a late summer day as could be enjoyed anywhere, but Saturday was overcast, with drops of warm rain threatening to spoil all arrangements. The streets were wet when the first crowded special pulled out of the Dunedin station. The skies were still overcast at Hvansdale, but fortunately no rain 1,

There is no sight on earth quite as attractive as a great crowd of children in many coloured holiday attire, set- \ ting out enthusiastically to enjoy a icnic, When the thousands were campering about the picnic field it looked as though the sober green grass had grown, a garden of many coloured flowers overnight. Nor were they all in the picnic paddock. Hvansdale is noted for its charmingly beautiful Glen, a natural rift in the hills stretching into the back country and covered with thick native bush. The Glen abounds in the mysterious nooks and adventurous places dear to the heart of a boy, and hundreds of boys became full-fledged explorers, for one day at least. A little stream runs through the Glen, not anywhere deep enough to cause the smallest flutter of anxiety, but rich in the small fat tiddler trout that constitute a living temptation to a boy with a line and a bent pin. Scores of boys fished all day and @ ght nothing, which, as every fisher- : knows, does nothing to mar the tirills of anticipation. Hvansdale also boasts a beach of sorts. The breakers roart a mile away from the place where the last tired ripple comes to rest, and half of that mile is only knee deep at full tide. -There were some bold youngsters who donned bathing suits with eager delight, and succeeded in getting wet only to,the shins, but most were content to paddle. While many were entertaining themselves in this fashion, hundreds of others were enjoying the sports and games on the field. Uncle Pete, Uncle Jack and Uncle Alec were the sports committee, and did their work with- _ out either a hitch or a complaint. There ‘was a little excitement when Big Bill entered one race with ‘fifty yards’ start in the hundred. AIthough he won the race with about a yard to spare there didn’t seem to be any prize In another part of

the field a great crowd was watching the pillow fight in progress. Hefty youths wielding sugar bags stuffed with hay were battering each other, sitting astride a pole. It was a Homeric contest, but no blood was spilt, and nobody’s feelings were hurt. In yet another place youngsters were trying to climb the greasy pole. It wasn’t very high, but too high for those that tried to reach the ham on the top. Mr. Pritchard, the ventriloquist, captivated everybody with his wee doll that seemed to know so much and speak so well. Thousands of bairns laughed their delight at its quaint antics, and at least’ one small mite wept when Mr. Pritchard put his doll back in the box, Aunt Leonore and Aunt Sheila played games with the tiny tots in another part of the field; while Aunt Dot and Aunt Anita could not be found anywhere, They were in a secret

place doing mysterious things with endless small bags and. tins of lollies, When the time came to disclose themselves and the good work they had been doing, there were no more popular radio aunts or uncles on the picnic ground. . Lollie distribution was like the beginning of a rather sticky war. Thousands of children mobbed the aunts and uncles. Big Brother Bill tried to relieve the pressure by grabbing a tin of lollies and running up the picnic ground scattering sweets as he ran. It was soon unequivocably proved that Big Brother Bill was simply nowhere as a harrier, The aunts and uncles who stayed in the hall and threw the lollies through the window were much wiser and more comfortable. The air was full of small bags of lollies bursting like bombs wherever they came down. The treasure hunt, a feature of 4YA’s picnics in past years, was chang-

ed into a hunt for the mysterious man with the treasure to give to the fortunate child who discovered him. When this began every man on the picni¢ ground was besieged by eagerly questioning children. The policeman even did not. escape, although, when the pressure was the hottest, he did his very best. It was quite a novel change to see a perspiring policeman trying to evade hundreds of children, although his trying to escape by running really made the matter very much worse. The treasure was found at last in the pocket of an exhausted hewspaper reporter. Between three and four hundred children were the guests of the Broadcasting Company, being in this fortunate position because they had helped Brother Bill in his sessions during the year. Tables were spread in the orchard for them, and they par took liberally of food provided. at: lunch and tea. A group of Girl Guides . did splendid service in assisting the uncles and aunts in serving tables. . Wendy, who is a Guide capiain, did excellently well in charge of these Although every necessary precaution was taken in the presence of Red | Cross Nurses'and St, John Ambulance | men, once again it has to be recorded — that their valuable aid was not needed, | There were no casualties of even the | minor type during the whole happy day. Although the precaution was. taken to invite the Otago Motor Club’s motor patrol to be on hand in case any of the scores of motor-cars needed doctoring, there was no casualty here « either, , The special trains left Hvansdale at dusk, carrying thousands of tired but happy children home again, The news+ _ papers recorded what seems to be the unanimous opinion that the 1931 radio picnie was the biggest and best yet,

EASTER Appropriate broadcasts from all YA Stations * CHURCH SERVICES Good With specially-arranged Concerts to follow 1, 3, and 4YA on Morning Broadcasts. SPORTING BROADEaster Saturday CASTS. 1 and 3YA on Morning Broadcasts. Easter Sunday ORNING SERVICE Easter Monday SPORTING BROADATTRACTIVE PROGRAMMES. No Silent Day for 1V A,