HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2088, 24 May 1907, Page 1

HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

By “Penelope.” Wellington,

BILLIARDS AND WOMEiN

Tlibro is so little connection liere ootwuon the two above tilings, if tlio ornamental sox does not mind being called a thing, that, although many of us, when it was arranged tlie Eng-' lish champion Stevenson should give matches here, longed to witness them, they felt nervous about intruding into what would probably bo a purely masculine assembly. However, a small number of enthusiastic and determined females resolved to run tile gauntlet of tlio men, and they were amply repaid by seeing tlio most brilliant play on the part of Stevenson. Almost every man in the hail was smoking, and a dim blue haze continually floated up to the ceiling’. But apart from that tlio audienefe was quite an ordinary gathering 1 , extremely absorbed in tlio game, and except for applause, an inextinguishable murmur of admiration, or an interpolated suggestion or a correction of score, absolute silence prevailed. A man with a head like a bishop handed round manuels of billiards, and the marker had the most immaculate evening dress, and gave the score in a hightoned English accont. Bragge, the Australian, is a fair-haired thick-set man,with a grimly determined mouth and very deep-set eyes, one of which, I hear, is out of focus, so that in his play he onlyf i|ses , tho other. He-was in charge of Alcock’s magnificent exhibit at tlio Exhibition, and gave most interesting illustrations of the game every day. The table used in the matches hero is the same as he played on at the Exhibition, a splendid piece of work made of heart of puriri. Stevenson, • who was here before some years ago, is shorter, darker, with shaip features, a good color, a small moustache, and an expression that never varies, of somewhat indifferent nonchalance, as of one who thought little of what he was Ho never hesitates, and seems always to know' what lie intends to do. Indeed; before the ball has slipped into the pocket-lie has reached the place from-whicli lie is next to play. His delicacy of touch is marvellous.* Cannon after cannon mounted up his score,” and yet the trio of balls only shifted a matter of a fraction of ; an inch. His opponent, good player as Bragge is, had no chance against his cool, brilliant play, and very soon, Stevenson had wiped out the handicap of two thousand out of five that he had allowed. The champion is to play some amateurs at the various clubs this week.. He is a very pleasant, unassuming man, and has a lino country place in England. Mrs Stevenson is expected from Sydney this Week. Mrs Bragge is in Wellington, and goes to all the matches. When here before, Mr Stevenson and Mr Owen, who is the best of our Wollirigton’amateurs,played a match up in Mount View A(|yluin. They had for audience all the inmates, each "provided with a cigarette, and watching the game with the keenest interest 'and appreciation. When Mr Stevenson, when essaying some fancy shots with tho balls and at bowler, dropped,’ for the third time, the ball on the floor, a voice from the Audience" called out “Disqualified!” A roar of laughter arose from the men. The players did not understand the joke until it was explained that when the table was first got, the men, in their misdirected zeal, so often drove the balls off it,' that the doctor had to make a rule that a persistent offender should be penalised and disqualified. SOCIAL NOTES. Mrs. Rhodes has returned to Wellington after her long visit to Christchurch. The second charge against her nephew, young Moorhouse, after the relief when the Supreme Court jury brought in a verdict of No Bill,” is naturally causing her much anxietey. Mr. Moorhouse, it will be remembered, when training * for a motor-cycle race, killed a little child at New Brighton. Miss Joan Hislop goes Home with her brother Toni, who is to attend Cambridge, this week. They have taken passages in one of the Blue Anchor line of :ft*amers, which goes via Adelaide and Capetown. This week, too, Mrs. Harry Crawford goes to Englqiiji, with her delicate hoy. A quiet wedding—that of Miss: Allen, * sister-in-law of Min Menfeatli, to Mr- In Upe, son of Mr. R, Lee, of! tln< Upper Hutt, took place last Saturday. THE HOME OF COMPASSION.

Mother Mary Joseph Aubert is a well-known figure in Wellington, and it would not be easy to findl.Janyone more respected and more loved. Her sweet old face, with its humorous lines in spite of all the sorrow itilias. looked on, is picturesquely framed in white quillings and navy bluo Veiling. Her quaint broken English <s charming, and her voice soft and refined. She gave up a noble French name to take this she has and serve her beloved poor —and she has mountains of faith, which now, by : the building and equipment of her now Home for Destitute Children, is realised. It is wonderful how people liayo rallied round and helped hei, The collectors have never met a refusal, and some of the merchants liavo given voxfy handsome gifts, mangle, gas-stove, a sewing- machine, and a knife-cleaner, being among these. The. large new building is conspicuous on the way to Island f^ a VIt is'built with a tot 3°°?,' w]icye"tliQ children can play about in the fresh air and sunshine.

THE WEEK’S GAIETIE§.

Tlioso have been very few in number, which, considering the wretched weather, is fortunate. It is winter fairly here now, with a drivipg, \yec southerly that pips through furs and warm wraps, and sheets of bitter rain. Gardens are wrecked—our ckrysanthemums have had go time tci show their beauties this season, and travelling is both dangerous and disagreeable For the In duenna epidemic is abroad, and one may meet the 'scarlet' fever, or the whooping-cough microbes in the tram, steamer, 01 even the tram-car. Two large "teas on Thursday and Friday were given by Mrs. Samuel, who, as is only necessary when your acquaintances are many and your rooms not large—divided her visiting list into two. Her house is a interesting 'one, abounding in old china—exquisite crown Derby—old pictures, Sheffield plate, and bric-a-brac of all kiiids,

with histories mid associations. Most of tho refreshments, which were very dainty, were made by Mrs. Clirrors, the new lady manager of tho Kolburnc Kiosk. Among tho guests was Mrs:- Benjamin, from Auckland. The hostess wore an elegant gown of sil-ver-grey taffetas, with embroideries of lace and chonillo, and knots-of pale green viUvct. At tho Opera House an American play, “Human Hearts,’; is boing produced, to crowded audiences! It is a melodrama pure and simplo, with a domestic flavor that is evidently to tho public taste. EdwimLeicestcr, tho leading man of the company, is extremely handsome and over six feet tall. A girl actress, little Alma Palmer, is tho most charming figure in the play, natural, sweet, and winsome. A coming novelty here are O’Neill’s buckjumpers, which give their first performance on Friday evening. THE ACTING-PREMIER. Mr. Hall-Jones has at last been forced to take rest, which for some time ho has needed sorely. Since Mr. Seddon’s death, ho lias had an arduous and trying time, with much anxiety and any amount of work. Hi: tact in difficult situations has bee fully recognised, and it is little wonder that care and responsibility have told on him. Altogether Mr. and Mrs. Hall-Jones have had,an anxious time latol.v, for Miss Hall-Jones has been far from well for some time, and their son is recovering from the' injury- to his knee. THE NET BLOUSE.

To have a fully-equipped wardrobe, the well-dressed woman should possess at 'least one net or lace blouse. These are tremendously expensive to buy, but any one with an artistic eye and clever fingers can make them. Tucks or little frills or appliques of lace generally trim these dainty blouses, and in some particularly ornamental examples, medallions of floral muslin in delicate colorings are set in, generally framed with a tiny ruffle of Valenciennes. To make your own lace medallions, cut a card the size you need, and draw with a compass circles on it the width of the insertion or beading you are using. Begin from the centre and sew your lace on to the card-board on the pencil mark, keeping the outer edge plain. Cut and join neatly, and then gather up to the centre. Set on your next ring of lace, overseam its edge neatly to the circle already ’ tacked on. Repeat till medallion is large enough and finish with narrow ruffle of lace. Infinite variety may ho got in these, for the contro may consist of a tiny scrap of floral ribbon or muslin, and ribbon may be used alternating with the laco. After the lace medallion is taken from the card, iron it carefully on the wrong side, and you will bo delighted with the effect, provided you have done it neatly, and kept your circles flat. On a blouse trim mod with such medallions, braces of floral ribbon, bordered with little frills of laco, and a bolt of the same, are the vory smartest accessories. SHIP DOUBLES UP, TEIUUBLJS EXPERIENCE IN BAY OF BISCAY, A thrilling story of the sea was related by two of the crew of the Italian steamer Industrie, who reached London by tho P. and O. steamer Britannia early in April, on which they embarked at Gibraltar. The Industria, a vessel 260 ft in length, and about 980 tons register,, was bound from London to Buenos Ayres, where she was to have been employed in the coasting trade. She carried a mixed ~ crew of eighteen hands chiefly Italians and Norwegians, the only Britishers on board being Captain Weightinan and Messrs. Lindsey amk Kealey. In the vessel’s lipid there was stowed a supply of coal sufficient for the voyage, jvhilst, in addition, a small quantity of cement was carried as cargo. Misfortuno seems to have dogged the Industria almost from the very outset. She sailed from London early in March. Soon after leaving the Thames bad weather was encountered, and the Industria, which hailed from Genoa, had to put into Falmouth for shelter and repair?. There she was strengthened by having some additional beams put into her, and on March 13,, thq woathpr having moderated, she put to sea. On the following Saturday afternoon the pumps got choked with coal dust, and later in the day a heavy gale sprung up. Soon there was a tremendous sea running, and the Industria was early in difficulties. One huge wave which struck her caused her to quiver from stem to stern, and then, in the evening, when in the Bay of Biscay, it was found that she had been badly strained, and that seas were pouring- into her-tljrough the bottom. The plight of the orow was a terrible one, and with the hours of darkness before them their anxiety can bo better imagined than described. The storm was at its height, huge seas were sweeping over the Industria from stem to stern, and although she was being driven for all slid was wortli in the direction of the nearest land, Qape Villano, it was only too apparent that she was fast breaking up. When dayliglic came it revealed to the sailors that the Industria could not float-' more than an hour or two, and they liad the experience of seeing their vessel bending and straining in the. strangest manner. Amidships slip bad come to some serious harm, and soon, vyith the decks torn and twisted in a startling way, the two masts of thp Industria inclined towards one another, the steamer actually doubling upwards, the stem towards the stern. The vessel, in fact, was shutting up like a pockct-knifo. Then the captain gave directions for the boats to be prepared, and one was safely launched and pulled clear of the fast-sinking ship. The other- was not so fortunate, however, and was quickly hurled back against the side of the steamer and capsized, the occupants being thrown into the water. Time after time the .upturned boat was dashed against the steamer’s Side, and all the while there were clinging to it seven or eight of the crew. One by one four were overcome by exhaustion, or were rendered unconscious by being crushed between the ship’s side and the boat, and so lost their hold, with the result that they were drowned. Among those on the upturned boat was Able Seaman Kealey, who at last was so benumbed that he would have shared the fate of his shipmates but

for tho fact that Captain Woiglitman who had divod from tho steamer’s

dock at tho last moment, swam to him and grasped him, holding him until assistance was forthcoming. It was then about nine o’clock on the morning of St. Patrick’s Day. The Moss lino steamer Mooris, .of Liverpool, outward bound, sighted tho fastsinking Industria and at once headed in her direction. As she approached tho steamer swayed several times in tho air, doubled right up, turned turtle, and went down at a 'distance o." three hundred yards from the-Mooris. Tho Industria actually broke in two amidships. Fourteen of tho crew were rescued by the Moeris. Able Seaman Ivealey had been five hours in the water when ho was picked up by liis roscuers, and but for Captain Weightman must have been drowned. Mr. Lindsey was in tho boat that wr safely launched. He had been in the engine-room for eighteen hours straight off when he was summoned on deck to abandon the ship. In descending to the boat tho rope parted, and ho was precipitated on to the boat’s gunwale, alighting on his neck. Half unconscious he was hauled on board, just in time to escape being dashed against The ship’s side. The crew lost tho whole of their effects.