BUTCHERS’ PICNIC.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 827, 15 February 1877, Page 3

BUTCHERS’ PICNIC.

Sports Committee—Messrs B, Berry, Taylor, Foster, Augarde and Shearman. Handicappor and starter—Mr A, McDonald. Steward of races—Mr Percy. Manager of ground—Mr T. Walker. The inauguration picnic of the butchers of Christchurch took place yesterday, and was the largest and certainly one of the most successful outings of the kind yet hold this season. Shortly after eight o’clock a large number of vans and vehicles of various kinds had congregated at the Post-office, and a little before nine o’clock, the procession having been formed, a start was made, the van containing the Cavalry band being pro ■ ceded by two men on horseback, each carrying a pole of a banner on which the words “ The Roast Beef of Old England ” were painted in large letters. About sixty traps followed containing about 400 persons, the tail end of the procession being brought up by a number Qi horsemen. she line was

over half a mile in length, and as it proceeded along Colombo street towards HoonHay, with the band playing popular airs and every vehicle mere or less decorated with flags and ribbons, it presented altogether a very imposing appearance. Arrived at one of the Hon Ernest Gray’s paddocks, which the committee had chosen, and whose arrangements throughout were excellent, each section of pleasure seekers dividing off as their tastes lay, either in the direction of footraces, dancing, cricket quoits, and last, but by no means the leant feature, “ kiss in the ring.” In all departments the fun went merrily until I o’clock, when the bell rang for lunch, which had been provided by Mr A. Gee in a large marquee erected on arrival. After justice had been done to Mr Gee’s very satisfactory catering, thesports were resumed until shortly before 5 o’clock, when tea was partaken of, and a start made for town, which was reached shortly after seven, A number cf the traps drove as far as the Post-office, when the band played “ God Save the Queen,” and three cheers having been given for her Majesty, a dispersion took place for home. A most enjoyable day was spent throughout. Nearly the whole of the master butchers took part in the day’s proceedings, the absence of one or two however being regretted. The following is the programme of the sports, for which very liberal prizes had been provided : Boys’ race, 250 yards, Jones 1 Dennis 2 Dickman ... 3 Five ran. Small Goods Men’s race, 160 yards. George Andrews 1 H. Andrews 2 Odering 3 Four ran. Slaughtering Men’s race, 200 yards. Primmer 1 Payne 2 Muir 3 Five ran. Protest entered againt Primmer, Three-Legged race, 250 yards. Rosewarne and Tomlinson ... 1 Hankins and Hudson 2 Anslie and Jack 3 Very good race. Young Women’s race, 100 yards. Miss Symmonds 1 Miss Reynolds Miss Dennis Six ran. Shopmen’s race, 300 yards. Bodington... 1 Tomlinson 2 Broughton 3 Fifteen were in for this race, which was run in heats.