The sun and the greenwood tree wove unwonted patterns of shine and shadow impartially on heads white as the snows of Earnslaw; on curls honey-brown or golden.
Some of the patriarchs took snuff; others smoked calumet, the peace pipe, speaking and nodding thoughtfully between whiffs.
The damsel, conscious of having "milked her 23" before breakfast, wore an air of relaxation, together with a frock of the Second Empire and soulful head-gear.
"Mamma" was reminiscent in a matronly way, kept a wary eye on the wildly oscillating swings, and took an active interest in the billy.
The sky was deeply, dizzily, blue; and the smoke of many camp fires rose thereto in lazy, wonderful spirals.
Everywhere was the hum of conversation; children chivied each other, feeling not the heat, and myriads of insects fought terrific but indecisive battles in mid-air, ever where the New Zealand ensign hung gracefully as though draped.
It was just the day for a picnic, and Waikouaiti, as a settlement, was three score years and ten.
Noticeable in this large gathering-a record by the way- was the absence of any discordant element.
No one scolded, none bustled.
There was the right-hand of fellowship, heartily given and gripped, as is customary with the pioneers.
Old men looked, and looked again, as though awaiting a presence, and then gazed absently and wistfully out to the mist, where sky and ocean meet in the veil of destiny.
Doubtless there were memories bringing their throng of unseen visitants.
There were old settlers, or descendants from practically everywhere; and one, Mrs MacDonald (nee Johnson), from the borders of New South Wales and Victoria.
Participants from Dunedin had to leave by an early train, as it would appear to have been decreed that never under any circumstances must the second express stop at Waikouaiti.
The morning was devoted to renewal of acquaintanceships and inter-change of family news; picnic parties arranged themselves beneath trees or dotted the landscape with white table cloths and edibles.
The afternoon was given over to athletics, each event being ushered in by a violent ringing of a bell, clamorous and dimly suggestive of dinner.
The events in this (the athletic) section of the programme were watched with interest, and competed for zealously.
• ODT, 10.3.1910.
