The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1890-04-05 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

NEW BRIGHTON.  The first great holiday of the year may be written down a success from the point of view of the public entertainers, the caterers for refreshments, and the owners of the ferries. The weather was typical holiday weather, the sun's heat being tempered with a delicious light breeze, whioh made outdoor exercises exceedingly enjoyable. ' Under these circumstances the ferry route was extremely popular. The whole of the Wallasey boats were pressed into the service, with the addition of the luggage boat, and from noon onwards a quarter hourly service was kept up unceasingly, the boats being invariably filled with a highly delightful holiday crowd. The boats were run direct, the old Water Lily taking the Egremont passengers. The railway officials expressed the opinion that this would prove the best Good Friday they had yet experienced. Throughout thelafternoon full trains drew up to the platform bringing contingents from Liverpool and Birkenhead, aed the other stations en route. The Mersey tunnel carriages were used, and the objectionable changing at thb Park Station was thus avoided. A casual observer on one of the ferry-boats could not fail to note that a large proportion of the holiday-makers were day excursionists from the manufacturing districts of the County Palatine, though the " Dicky Same" were also fairly well represented. The trip on the river was evidently a great treat to some of the inland visitors, and the objects of interest en route were freely commented on. The Isle of Man steamer Snaefell, as she sailed gaily into the river about two o'clock, was regarded with considerable interest, one young fellow confidingly mentioning to his friend that the boat was "an Isle of Man cruiser," and the other adding that "he'd bet she could go to Australia in two days." On New Brighton being reached there was some speculation among the group as to the meaning of the Perch Rock Battery and Lighthouse. One individual referrink to the latter said, " Srthee th' fact ry chimley. Oil bet there's been a fact'ry theere sometime," while another volunteered the suggestion that the battery was "acme castle or other." These little diversions passed the time, and the holiday-makers were extremely good humoured, devouring the succulent orange or cracking the ever-popular hazel nut with a satisfaction which it was a pleasure to see. There were the usual holiday types. 'Arry and his sweetheart were there in full force, and apparently he did not care "for this occasion only" how much money he spent on donkeys, roundabouts, and entertainments generally. There was also the jaded Paterfamilias, with his spouse and numerous olive branches, and also the not-to-be-forgotten huge luncheon basket, which from its size would probably tempt him to follow the advice of Scripture, "Cast thy bread upon the waters." The scene on the shore was of the usual exhilarating description. Some people would describe it as a Saturnalia, and certainly one would not like to be condemned to remain there for any length of time. There were highly picturesque troubadors from Scotlandroad and elsewhere, &large contingent of blind musicians, cheap photographers, merry-gorounds, see-saws, our old friend, 'Pepper's Ghost," individuals who were irreverently termed "bump-feelers," and exhibitions where for one penny you could feast your eyes on all manner of figures, ranging from " Nana " to the "Crewe murderers." Right in the midst of the pandemonium might be observed the ever-active and 'cute Mr. Ball, presumably taking observations for use before the Lords' Committee. On the "wall," which was densely crowded there were the usual female charmers using all their blandishments to persuade the visitors to have "a nice cup of tea." Fortunately, during the busiest time of the day, the tide was out, and the bulk of the crowd disported themselves on the yellow sands in all directions. A large extra staff of the county police had been drafted into the place, but at the time of writing there had been only one or two arrests for indulging in the" three-card trick" and similar holiday offences. On the whole, however, there was very little disorder, and thanks probably to the genial character of the weather, which made at fresco diversions preferable, there were very few oases of insobriety. The services of the large staff of police, which were under the direction of Superintendent Hindley and Inspector Meredith, were therefore not often called into requisition. At