HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1989, 26 January 1907, Page 4

HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

ALMOST A GAI ASTLIOI’MJS ISy “l’onolopo.” WELLINCITON, Tiiosr 1 ay. Oni' roads of terrible onrthqunko'l, devastating (ires, ghastly shipwrecks withe tempered horror. They servo to make tho papers more interesting, and to increase that comfortable feeling that, even ii cities are being destroyed at tlie other end ol (ho world, one’s own little hit of the globe is quite secure. It is good, sometimes, to lie aroused from that solf-sntisf'uction, and to bo made to realize that possibilities ol tragedy await us in most unexpected moments. The difference of a minute and a foot would have resulted a week ago in tho most awful catastrophe, involving sixty-five AVellington people, belonging to the best known families who wero on a water-picnic to the Quarantine Island in tho little tug Ngatono. This small boat, with her genial captain, “Joe,’’ was often requisitioned lor those .jaunts. Latte in the afternoon,” the Ngatono, leaving the Island, nearly came in collision with tho Cobar, tho big ferry boat. Some one blundered—the inquiry will find out who—and had it not been for an agonized order—from a lady, one hears—to the captain of the tug to go full speed ahead, the Cobar would have dashed into tho Ngutlmo. As it was she passed so close to tho stern of tho tug that she could be touched by an outstretched hand. There was a period of frightful suspense, while the Cobar—which looked so huge, scon from tho deck of the tiny tug, that one lady declared it (o lie the Ruapehu—came dashing down on tho smaller boat. White faces and clutching hands showed tho strong feeling, oie lady’s arm was bruised by the involuntary grasp of her neighbour, but there were no shrieks. Indeed many felt a sort of paralysis anti little tear—more curiosity to watch the result—but Hourly all suffered from shock later, Some girls who wero singing choruses from the Cingale, took up the strain where it was broken off, scarcely realising the peril they, had passed, but l a few were actually sick. Women and children were in the majority, and if, ns they declare, the Cohar, striking the Ngntone, would have turned her over, there must have been groat loss of life, even though the sea was satinsmooth. The event, and its various ghastly possibilities, have formed the chief topic of feminino conversation this woek, and has even taken precedence of tho upheavals in our households that may he achieved by the Domestic "Workers’ Union. DISMAYED MISTRESSES.

As yet no bomb—in tho shape of a summons to appear before the Union —lias arrived, but it is daily expected. At first mistresses declared they would take no notice of it, but we are told that unless some action is taken the Union may frame any regulations it chooses. Our Mayoress, who has always taken keen bitterest, in this, as well as other burning questions, is urging mistresses to appear and state their case. The point ns to which—husband or wife—is tho employer is still being vigorously discussed, and many men who have suffered from experimental cookery generally disorganised homes and wives, owing t olack of soravnts, are quite" eager to say a few words. It is to b.j hoped tho opportunity will bo allowed them in the meantime, Servants aro still difficult to get, and there seem more inefficient ones than capable. Some despairing housewives, coming back to a large house and family afto ra seaside holiday, and unable to get help, gloomily declare tho Union can not possibly make matters worse for the employer.

SOCIAL ITEMS. Miss Aileen Ward—in place of Lady Ward—went to Dunedin with the Premier for the reception. Little Pat had a birthday party last Friday. During the afternoon his elder brother Gladstone, who is homo for his holidays from his Sydney college, danced a foarsomely realistic liaka in proper Maori costume. Lady Ward is leaving her little son in Napier with her sister, Mrs Boyes, while she goes Homo with Sir Joseph, and Mr Vincent Ward is to stay with Mrs Prouso Mrs Seddon has gone for a short change to Feathorston with Mrs Bean. Sho is not strong enough to bear the sad associations involved in a visit to the West Coast. Mrs Dyer is visiting Dunedin and the Southern Lakes. Dr. and Mrs Fitchott loft for Melbourne and Home last week. Various farewell functions were given for the latter, Mrs Milos, Mrs Stafford, and Miss Barnett all having little entertainments in her honor. Mrs Martin Kennedy and Miss Agnes Kennedy are in Christchurch visiting Mrs Darby; Miss Louie Johnston, from Hawke’s Bay, and Miss Campbell, from Groymouth, are guests of Miss Kennedy. Mrs Gilruth, who lias let her pretty bouse at the Hutt to Mr and Mrs Palgrave for sonio months, left on Monday to pay visits to various Southern friends. She goes first to Mrs Paltullo, of Hampden. Miss Holland, who has been staying with her for some weeks, has gone home to Dunedin. Mr and Mrs Wardrop, of Christchurch, passed through on their way to Napier. Miss Sybil Nathan and her brother have returned from Rotorua, delighted with their trip, though the weather was unfriendly. The latest Wellington engagement is that of Mr Roland Robot tson, Italian Consul, to Miss Ida Nelson,eldest daughter of Mr Horatip Nelson, of the firm of Nelson, Moate, and Co. Miss Nelson is a very charming, graceful girl, and Mr Robertson a born entertainer. He lias bad many enticements to take bis accomplishment seriously, and come out as an entertainer, but lie lias preferred to keep it for the amusement of bis many friends. The marriage is to take place within a year. Sir and Sirs Dalston, who wore married about a fortnight ago,have taken one of the new houses near the Basilica in Hill street. Sir Gerald Tollmrst, of Palmerston North, and her elder boy are in town to say good-bye to Sir and Sire Tollmrst before they leave for Home. _ Sir Molosworth Tollmrst, of Opotiki, is also in Wellington at present. HAUNTED HOUSES.

We are altogether too material and matter-of-fact in the colonies for ghosts to thrive among us. Besides, wo want tradition and antiquity, and corrugated iron and weather-board are a poor exchange for ivy-hung ruins. It is therefore very rarely the inquiring mind—who yearns after the inexplicable and is weary of being able to turn everything up in an encyclopaedia—discovers any traces of the supernatural in this commonplace colony. An Irish family who imagined they had imported their banshee, with the plate and pictures from the “otlld ancestral hall,’ were immensely proud of the fact. True, like the imported cocks and bulbs, it got all mixed as to times and seasons, and wailed constantly, but it was a perpetual pride tb its audience. However, a carpenter one day laid the banslieo to rest with a couple of nails and a bit of felt. There was a little old house on Wellington Terraco that was said to be haunted. A suicide and two murders took place there—quite enough horrors to give the bouse a bad name. But it is pulled down some time ago, and evidence about it is fragmentary and contradictory. But a more coherent story of ghosts comes from Island Bay. For two years a house there has been declared to ho haunted with weird noises, which proceed from a room at the back. These consist of thumpings, and happen in windy or calm weather. So bad arc they that tenants will not stop, and quiet order-loving folk like the Catholic Sisters, who kept a little school in the house, found the strange sounds tbo much even for their calm nerves. Sceptics declare it can he explained away, hut so far no satisfactory solution has been arrived at. One man-was sure it was caused by rabbits under the floor thumping their tails on the ground, but the fact of rabbits constantly at night—for the noises happen at night—for two years thumping their tails is almost as inexplicable os the ghost. There is a story of a sudden death, and suspected, but undiscovered, foul play, that took place in this same room. The latest development is that the proprietor has come to live in the house himself. Evidently he does not dispute the existence of the sounds, for he has had the room Idled with sawdust to deaden them. SALE OR CIRCUS ?

Yearning for a new experience, I went last week to a wool sale in the concert-room of tlio Town Hall. As we were not on business, but merely came from curiosity, we were ordered to the gallery, where between two burly, bronzed farmers and in front of a big Maori, I looked down on curving rows of benches, gradually rising till the back one was on high trestles, in order that all might be within the view of the auctioneer. They were filled with a miscellaneous collection of men, still and orderly, most of them smoking, and many studying the catalogue. In about five minutes the calm class—they looked like a school before tlieir desks—was transformed into a yelling horde. True, only a few howled, but they made enough noise for all. As each lot was called—before almost the number had fallen from the auctioneer’s lips—the furious bidding commenced. Men danced, gesticulated,

roared with excitement. A short stout, man I expected to go off in an npoloctio lit, for lie simply raved incoherently, tossing both arms above his head in frantic appeal to the calm-eyed auctioneer. At least it was incoherent to mo, blit the auctioneer evidently understood the “Woon! ivoon 1 woon! woon! in a running torrent of words accompanied by frantic gesticulation to mean that that particular buyer was endeavoring to catch his eye and ear with a bid of 10id per lb. Sometimes thore would be six men on tiioir foot at a time, brandishing hands ami arms and catalogues and the bidding would come in a regular volley—almost like the rattlo of a gatling gun—“ton ! —woon lwoon ! woon!—ball! half! ball! half!—throe! throe! tliroo! tlireo! ’loven! ’lovon! ’loven!—woon! woon! woon I That meant that in tlio space of time chat it would take you or me to say “Jack Robinson” the bidding bad advanced frofh lOd, 101 d, I.OJd, 10Jd, fid, and Hid. Who on earth bad bid the last figure it was impossible U> say, but the calm and imperturbable auctioneer had singled out one of the six, and, with'a gentle tap of Ids little wooden hammer, the lot would go to that man. He was most, likely "the representative of some big English, American or Continental firm that could write cheques for hundreds of thousands of pounds sterling, and not only write them but get them cashed ns well. It must he pretty hard work mentally—it certainly was physically—to he a buyer at that wool sale. Two men in particular threw a tremendous amount of muscular energy into it. One looked cool in a grey suit, and a straw hat; but the hat soon came off and the owner wiped the perspiration from his brow. Another man was so dark and so excited that we took him for a foreigner, but he was not. He also got very warm, and had to doff his coat.. Panther like he would spring to his foot! and wave his hands at the auctioneer, as he shouted ’loven 1 or half I or three 1 three 1 three 1 or whatever it was. Occasionally thore would he a lull in the storm—a bale of locks or pieces would ho put up ; the hundred-thousand pound man would pause to take breath or get, rook and the small fry on the back benches would give a quiet bid of 8d or 9d, or even as low ns -5d to start with. They were probably the representatives of fcllmongers or some small local firms. We came away very pleased with the morning’s entertainment, and fully convinced that if the Wool-buyers’ Association were to make a small charge for admission in the interest of charity they would reap a rich reward.