THE HOLIDAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2384, 28 December 1908, Page 4

THE HOLIDAY.

boxing- day gatherings.

The weather on Saturday was a ereat improvement on that of the t£o preceding day., and, though a slight shower or two fell, t“ er ® little to miar the enjoyment of the holidaymakers. The various outdoor gatherings were generally well pa tronised. They comprised races at Whatatutu, athletic sports at Wae-renga-a-hika, a fire brigade competition in the morning, cricket and howling matches and three large Sunday school picnics. In the evening tho Austral Uniseope Company appeared to a good “house” at Hm Majesty’s Theatre.

BAPTIST SCHOOL PICNIC. The first Sunday school picnic held in Gisborne in connection with the Baptist Church took place on Saturday, the scene of the outing being at Mr. Arundel’s property on the Waimata River, just above the island. Over two hundred of the children and their parents and friends gathered together, and tho day was very pleasantly spent. A number of the‘ picnickers made the journey to the rendezvous by Toad, but the great proportion were accommodated in four large surf boats, and with the motive power supplied by the Harbor Board launch, enjoyed a delightful sail up the river. Oil arrival at the selected spot the party landed, and after having partaken of excellent refreshments provided by the Sunday School, a lengthy programme of games and sports of all kinds -was indulged in. Tea was provided towards evening, and alter cheers had been given for Mr. Arundel and Captain Gumming for providing the boats, a start was made for home. The boats reached the wharf about 7 p.m., one and all of the pleasure-seekers being thoroughly satisfied with their day’s outing.

ROMAN CATHOLIC PICNIC. The annual picnic for the children attending St. Mary’s Roman Catholic schools was held at" the Willows Crossing on Saturday. A special train was engaged to convey the teachers, scholars and friends to tho picnic grounds, where a most enjoyable day was spent. The time was passed in games and sports, the following being the results of the events:—

Boys’ Race (under 16 years).—G. Dennett 1, Master Snooks 2. Girls’ Race (under 16 years)—Nellie Fairlie 1, May Fairlie 2. Single Women’s Race—Miss F. Alley 1, Miss L. McOonville 2.

Married Women’s Race.—Mrs. McLoughlin 1, Mrs. H. Heeney 2. Cigarette Race.—Mr. Haycock and Miss Haughie 1, Mr. J. Parker and Mrs. P. Barry 2. Race for the Children of Mary :Miss Haughie, Miss O’Rourke 2. Race for Members of H.A.C.B.S.— Mr. J. A. Parker 1. Mr. P. Gavin 2.

The single men beat the married men rather easily in the tug-of-war. Some valuable trophies were given as prizes. Messrs Vita Bros” orchestra contributed a programme of music and the Revs. Lane and Dignan were present.

WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL PICNIC.

The Wesleyan Sunday School annual picnic was held on the Patutahi Domain on Saturday. About 250 teachers and scholars went out in drags and other vehicles, and a most enjoyable day was spent in outdoor games of various kinds. AT NEW PLYMOUTH. TPeess Association.! NEW PLYMOUTH, Dec. 27. lii6 tv eather for the holiday was gloriously fine. Refreshing rains fell during last night. Very large crowds of people were travelling. There were various holiday attractions.

THE HOLIDAY AT WANGANUI Dec. 27. there was glorious weather on Box’“S.Hay- The Wanganui Amateur AtHletic Association liold a- good mootiiig. The other attractions were tiie Taranaki v. Wanganui cricket match, and the eighth annual meeting of the West Coast Rifle Association.

AT NAPIER.. NAPIER, Dec. 27. Fine weather prevailed on Boxing Da}', when the outdoor attractions in the district included horse races atPetane and _ Porangahan athletic sports :at Waipukurau, and the Napier city hands picnic and sports at Farndon Park. Showers fell this morning, but the afternoon was fine.

THE HOLIDAY AT WELLINGTON, WELLINGTON, Dec. 27. The weather was delightful for Boxing Day, and everybody seemed to be out of doors. The Lower Valley races, the Palmerston races, and the Hutt trotting meeting attracted a great number of visitors from Wellington. The harbor excursions were welt patronised and picnic parties went out in all directions. On Christmas Eve 11,758 passengers were carried on the electric cars, tlio takings reaching the record sum of £606 6s Bd. The takings on Christmas Day (when double faros were charged) totalled £265 7s 4d.

SOUTH CANTERBURY. TIMARU, Dec. 26. The Boxing Day holiday was favored with fine weather. The only public amusement was the Timaru Regatta for motor fishing boats, of which there are'nine here . One sailing and three motor races were got up for them. The rowing club added junior fours, ladies’ fours, swimtming and diving, and with whaleboat and dingey races a good afternoon’s amusement was provided. The motor boats wore of all sizes, and handicapping them was a difficulty. The Caledonian sports at Waimato and Teinuka passed off well. AT INVERCARGILL. INVERCARGILL;, Dec. 27. The Christmas holidays passed off quietly and under beautiful weather conditions. Brilliant sunshine marked Friday and Saturday, till the evening of the latter day, when a thunder shower occurred, though not sufficiently prolonged to mar the holiday. The waterside resorts have been crowded, and the district sports and race meetings, rifle meetings and the Riverton regatta were largely patronised. The' railway traffic lias been the heaviest yet known at this season and so far everything has passed of witkoxit accident.