HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1844, 27 August 1906, Page 3

HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

A SAILORS' CONCERT,

(By Pknkloi’h.) Wellington. Yorv often, in the line Mission-dial given 'to 1 lie seamen by Mrs Williams, eoneerts are given, organised by Welling-

ton people, and one ol these, last Wednesday, proved so unexpectedly amusing that something about it may interest those who do not live in a large seaport town. There are certain disadvantages, by the way. in the latter qualification. It is not pleasant, to meet an unsteady and quarrelsome knot of firemen just as the hotels close, amt naturally, wild so many ships uniting, W o get some of the worst specimens of'oilter commies added to our population. Hut thanks to Mr Moore, the drunken sudor is an unusual sight nowadays, lor, |>v dint iff’ innocent era!., he wiles them to

it is parlor—a virtuous spider iiud keeps thorn there till the temptation of the open bar door is past, hast week the bit; hall rras crowded to the doors with men ol all ereeds, eolors, and nationalities. And what an enthusiastie and attentive uudienee these sailors are ! They are loud in their applause helore the lirst singer has opened his mouth, and make the lloor shake at the etui of each puitc oblivious of the symphony. Hut it was their own share of the programme that was most interesting tome Mr ‘Moore sandwiches amusing remarks with a moial 11.-tvor, between the e.meert items and in

one interval proposed the men should sing some choruses. A yellow-Inured smior sat down at the piano, and the men sang a queer pot-pouri ot the first verses of songs, varying from " Just one girl to '• Home, Sweet Home ’’—one succeeding the other in a breathless lashion, Mr Moore himself acting as precentor, and the accompanist following up as best lie eon Id ! Some of the sailors have excellent voices, and together they produced a tremendous volume of sound They were next incited bv the Missionin' to sing " Queen of the Kiirtli " in falsetto- those who had the knack. The visitors fairly shrieked with mirth and wiped their streaming eyes, lor iho first attempts were distinctly lenumscent of eats on the tiles, and a genial boatswain behind us simply squeaked like a dii.ig pig in his ollorts to please us (: ...on of the Barth is not suited to that style of singing. The next sailor item was tlie same song sung by a sturdy, bilk let-headed tar. with a husky voice that had been left out in the ram and a tunc distinctly original, as the long-siillermg pianist discovered. Then came supper ten* cake, and buead and butter and now it disappeared ! A great jug ol tea went no distance, and a heapeihiip plate ol cake passed along a scat and came hack empty. I Afterwards was the pleasantest part of the entertainment to the visitors, tor, alter much urging, the men gave some ot their “ chanties." These old sea songs are ah most forgotten, ft is only the wind** jammers ” that know them now, and every year fewer sailing strips come to our port But by dint ot' patient coaxing we got some After a dispiriting silence, an old bearded sailor burst out witli the Lio Grande," that line melody, and a hundred voices took up the swinging chorus A trim voting fellow with.a sweet tenor voice gave us "\\ diskv Johnny, 1 and from the back seats an ‘invisible sailor warbled " Good-bye, Fare ye Well," ids comrades chiming in with the sad refrain It was a most interesting evening. Some ui the men were loud in their praises of the institution. Two nice lads from the louioaini, the big cargo boat, declared tiie.\ had never seen such a place, and they didn’t believe there was its like in the world. ■ A mate slipped in a word fur a newly built London one, but agreed that this in Wellington was more chccry-likc, and a big Devon chap stated his dc;ermination to conic every evening while le was in port "it’s a bit o home to is,” lie added. We left with the fixed idea ;hat, if we wanted a cheerful, enthusiastic tadicnee who were willing to take a turn Jicmselvcs at amusing the performers, wc mist go to the Seamen’s Mission.

A PAIXTEii 01’’ CHILDItEX. Art, on the whole, in Wellington, takes a very subordinate place in the rush of business and pleasure, and we have, since Mr Xairn died and Miss Hodgkins left, few local artists. But a little collection of pictures in M'Gregor Wright s window has attracted a good deal of notice, and is rarely without its knot of admirers. They are by Miss Bandall, the pretty daughter of Captain Bcndall. lor some years she has drawn children, making a study of their airs and graces until she has caught in her art their charming spontaneity and freshness. Babies are her specialty, and

quite n number figure in the exhibition, solemn, laughing, crying- Particularly delightful are two panels “ Spring ” and " Winter.” In one a row of sweet-faced babies in quaint; Dutch caps arc set against a grey sky and leafless boughs ; in the other a ll'ush of apple blossom forms the background to sonic similar heads, very delicate in color and drawing. Miss Bcndall went for some time to Sydney, and studied there, but, though great inducements were offered to her, a longing for New Zealand made her conic back. BRIDGE AFTERNO ONS. The wretched weather wo have been sull'eriiig from lately lias driven desperate Wellington women, who want to entertain and yet recognise the disadvantages of crowded At Homos, into organising Bridge Afternoons, asking enough guests for five or six tables, and breaking the mental strain half way by dainty refreshments and tea, Wellington women have got a name, not altogether deserved, for playing for money. A certain set does, but they can afford it, and after all they arc in the minority. Many women, and men 100, have strong scruples against playing for money, and can enjoy bridge with only the expectation, if they win, of the glory of success When a woman, who cannot afford to lose, plays bridge, the situation for her wealthier opponents, becomes difficult, and if a player, owing to excitement or disposition, loses her temper, scenes may occur that are not suited to the draw-ing-room. At the bridge afternoons that hive been given of late special tables have been reserved for those who do not play for money, and to the winner of the highest number of points in this set a prize is given. Miss Tolhurst had a girls’ bridge tournament last week, and four prizes were given, one of the successful girls bo .

ing Miss Morna I*’oil, whose engagement to Captain Erie Johnston, son of tho Hon. C. J. Johnston, has just been announced. Miss Morna Fell is one of a trio of pretty girls, daughters of Mr G Fell, of Picton. They are all more than common tall, and must graceful, and Miss Morna has charming fair hair. Miss Eva bell married Mr Bussell Dymuck last year.

VISPrOBS TO WELLINGTON.

Politicians and their women folk arc flocking to Wellington and filling our boarding-houses It is said the Molesworth street residence, where Mrs Seddon and her family are still living, is to be occupied bv the Hon Mr Fowlds, and the Hon Mr M'Xab The latter, being a bachelor, has as ,vct no yearnings after a