THROUGH THE LOOKINGGLASS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 412, 22 December 1932, Page 7

THROUGH THE LOOKINGGLASS

Seaside Attractions. Those who were at the Majestic Theatre early last week were taken seawards prior to the actual holiday. The reason was a mannequin p-arade arranged by Mr. J. S. Mathias. The costumes were smart and- colourfully attractive and from what we saw on the stage the other evening the beaches this season will be decidedly gay with all the latest ereations of seaside apparel. How I Play Tennis. I received a most amusing account just lately describing the imaginary tennis antics of an ambitious beginner. "Tennis has claimed me for its own. By that I do not mean that my style is one that Helen Wills would enjoy — far from it — -it has prospects, at least I hope so, of becoming more like her style in years to come, for I am very keen; but at present I must confess it is still very much in embryo form. Ecstatically I see a ball approaching me. Excitedly I rush racquet in hand -to smite the oncoming object; the ball sails on; lugubriously I shake my head and mournfully prepare for the next ordeal — that is, how I play tennis on the courts. I have the poise and elegance of a young calf, and when I do hit the ball my strokes are so painfully unorthodox that it is difficult just to ascertain whether they are p&rt of a golf drive, hockey swing, cricket swipe, basketball push or football rush. Sometimes I fear they combine the whole retinue. When hitting, my figure strikes grotesque angles and my face becomes a study. If only balls could speak. Perhaps it's just as well they can't. Birthmarks. And this bright bit to close with: At the Tea Kiosk in Rotorua not so very long ago some guides and tourists were discussing racial problems. A tourist said to an intelligent Maori woman: "How is it you Maori people are brown, whereas you are so much' like the Britisher in all other ways," "Oh, I tink that because the palceha born in te daytime, and the Maori born in te nightime." "Well, well. And what about the half-caste?" "Oh, I tink he born in te moonlight." MARY ANNE.