ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 698, 24 December 1909, Page 16

ATHLETICS.

, 1 CBi MkbobexJ . , FiiTllKEa' 26,—wSnpuuii A.AjCL Meeting, i January 29. —Wellington Pwrmatal Championships (Basin Be&arvo). "February.—H-Z. Chiwnpionshipa (Auckland). I'obruary.—Port Nicholson A.A.C. Meeting. March 5. —Pflton* 'A.A 0. Meeting. . Inarch 9.—C.Y.M.A.A.C.., Meetiiis. As will -be noticed • in; tho foregoing list of "•- f.tturrs for tho season, an important cliango hfii boon mailt in th®.January 20 raeohng. Tho annual gathering of. the Civil Servico Club ,; . ■was : for i this .'date, jbnt' it: has been deemed expedient by tlio W-ellington Centre* to apprspnate it, for tha pro-v mcial championships. Ittis not unlikely/' now that tho Civil Service with->tho • Port - Nicholson-. Club,- . ' has x dato'- pencilled . Pehnwry, :iii. .'rnnning; a'.combmed mecti ng— a schemo that would, result in a really good v carnival,, ind. would materially asaist both clubs. ' ■_ has to thank Mr. B. A. Guise, honorary secretary of the Wellington-j Centre, ' ,f<)r' a . copy-^uf-.:tlie-.;provincial--.ohifinpiojships--.'programme.-;:-The events -arv>: —Championships: 3. 100 Ya.rda; 2. 220 Yard-;, 3. 4-10 Yards (Ban- . Bister, Cap); -4.. 880 :Xards; 5. Quo Milo (Kun; 6' Three Miles Run; 7. 120 YaTds Hurdles, 8 440 Yards 'Hurdles; 9. One Mile Walk; 10 i v . Throwing/, Hammer; .11, sLcmg: Jump; 12. High Jtjmp Handicaps. 13. 75 Yards Bracelet; 14 . ' -SM' rardßj- 10. -lffOfl -Yards; 16. .Hop, Stop, and dump; ft... Polos.-.Yault; -tt.. Putting- Shot; 19.. Three Miles Walk; 20. Boys' Half -Milo Walk (post entry). Thei. conditions .. state that • for -.-."championship events there-must be. four., compatitors or no second prize Tor handicap v-events .-there-imust:.be :fonri .competitors; or -no • - competition; and -six, oompehtors or:no second prize.' ' Entries closo' on Friday, January 21, and - '■ competitors- are -reminded of - liules 22 . and - 23, ■ which - roud as.follow: —"22. Tho centre.. shall. -5 tissue i to l -affiliated .books-, containing,, tri-. ('.-'phoate.- receipts, .'one.-' of which. receipts .shall. - be .handed to. the -member, paymg< his .subsorip--. ■jon, ono shall, be retained by tho club, and '"«»n^.shall ( be.forwardedsto.the,centre-secretary.- . No pcrsoil ohall ho allowed to compete; at any 'J' acetilig:held under-.the- auspices of,.the..centro, i- v'-.-vlipse receipt is-nqt :in the-hands, ofi tho.centro .-v:- > ieoretary..before;tho date. of.-suoh,meeting. ; : ?slny'.competitor .whojis .unfaiancial. .the;, time :'':v,.eFcompeting:.at'ja;:6ports .'shall.be-dis-: jualifiedJJ ' ' t Much satisfaction has 'been.expressed, during the :-. the .' iintelligence ...-that:-i -T.: ; -W. i-■ - applications;for., .reinstatement-- as. -an £ ,-• amateur 'had- bcen' granted ;by'.the. Australasian.: . ,;UAion.. i' il>slio;,-himself :':is*.-.much.-, : r .; i --and-'. ; :ha3.-'expressed.:., his .I 'lntention-.. Of. igat-,. -S'.'ting..-into;training:- right: ->:.away,-:- with,, the: Et;. intention ;;of:/ -competing,>:atthe . P.ro-vincml. championships on January 29, if ho can strike anything like condition "Dorry" is now 38 "' - years of age, 'so -cannot reasonably hope .to. get, - t '.back- his'one-^moiform,-which is-a good thing. :>:for-some v 'of : our.:-recent, championship . perform-: ances. Hp was, perhaps, at his best as long ago as 1893 aud? 1, When he was credited S-,-:':mth -isome .vhair-taising - performances.-About, - the-'.best-remembered of: .theso- i 8 , a wak. of Seven imilos in 52 minutes, in tho old drill-■ jssshed.-'.somov timo: in-1893. ii. Tno .jnext-ivear - he : was clockcd to do two performances o\er a ; mile that nowadays seem incredible At Fcild r - ''lng,. ■lw. ; walked.- to .:a -second - place, and ' was ■ .vv'-credited 1 iVith' 6min:.'23scc.v-off ■ scratch, and 1 a weekvlater -from' scratch, at :Dunedm -in 6min.':.24sec. A'.-little. later,'-at -, : Nnpielr, ■ in a ■ ■■..wait .'-against -time. lie . covered tho-.-niile 111 ■:.--6min.: 33sec.,no pacemakers being - ..allowed.' t- About :this time;:too,: ho 1 jonrnoYed to bydney, and astounded tho Australians bj covering two milos in 13min. Usee —a pmormance generally the/.' ■ Australasian:-' professional f record for that distance Of course there was no::Mr.:-Coombcs.on the juflging staff,.and no Australasianv:Lnion,,;dehnition in those, days - hgures will .-furnish: a guide - as to v: : «the: ! one-timo:;torm of the latest lamb : to, i -bo roeeived mto the fold e',:-..-:.-;The"i'Wauganui.-meeting. onrßoxing-:Day.-:pro-. Buses .fo:be-avgrettt"gatheriiig ntdcca. AVclhni;i.- -Mr.: W;-' • ■>"!■ .Hn'.PolloDk.ihas:enrolled ai-contingent, >consist-, mg-'of; Hubbard,' jVl'lvamaraj i'itzgerald, Even-.--.Jones, . and.- Kitto,- and "'-departs; for tho':tront-.:on,!tho: :all-night train: this•.evening/: V W. ,G. Harding as' gomgi across:;a-. from'-NoSieiv.' -^-itli.- the vJiononrs iot: his recent half-milo.\:-.perfprmance ; of.v.lmm. : . r >9sec.v- thick - ■ajii upon .him,-.and ' liaskexprcssed: his .' intention'- of .. ' attempting - to 'break: Guy Jlaskms's 1000 yds. .'New v/caland.-.record :ot- '2nun. -:2-t .l-sscc. .: Soma ' l( of tho newly formed New Plymouth club's members are "xpected aho, notablj "Vnt" Webster, .Morey. -an'l. tho two - fjLolir.v whilc lastly, but . .feafar -from' -leastly,. HarryvKerrjis going, for - the walks The t meeting should prjve of great «',;use. ; -.to-.tho:Wellington- Centre selectors,, as.'nf- - • fording an opportunity of -judging tho'form of • .ft'.. tho-':newly-formed f !"Jp-country ; : talent: . 1 •: .' The Catboln Young Men s Club held an K'.',evenmg r meting on''.Wednesday. -- It .not ; :-'/:.-:however,::.a' briiliant vaCfair,'::the : fields - and 'at-' Hj.-'itendance - of: tlie-. :oublic both - being far below a.- -.:tha (rage. . : None of: the ' stars: .were.- out ex-: a'f:cept Wilton,.- whos ran - well, .but-'.un- - succfsfull), the qiarfer, 'lho winner, «-;-Coard;«Tan .off i:tho,33-yard:;mark,' " /^ : much .:pr(jhiise,h getting; .over v the journey, , -in 51.ii2-ssoc.-r-.too - stift :.a iiarlormtvnce. .-for the > Stratch man '' 1 -.'The 100-yards was won by Overend,:a young- v. i.si;.runner, •,who..>was%tocessful; T in-'tho' sprintevent -» &:,. at.! > the.-:. Athletic :< Club's : evening- meeting:-re- - - i/.s cently,- and who should make a useful handicap ■ >:,(!,6printer.,/..0n- the*.present-occasion, he clockcd 10' 15sec off 9J j ards Sv-y-:-::?iThe..other : , event was ja .'iinile .-run,' :but : 'as s4: «nly,::,three:.'Btarted,- iand'-it.- was -won all the ■ .ythe: limit: ihan,.»Bevan,-J0ff,.30 yards, it < was not at all exciting Tho other two (darters, Hodson and H .T Pollock, ran from ::■■■) »Cratoh;,'t.he-:'Jatter r.getlmg ;s4cond.: ; placo;. andEovenng the di tance in smin lisec. t 'Jvi..r;;,W;.A:-,'\Yoodger.:is:in.steadvitrainingk'again,' t 1 iview-,- Of A.the l 'Provincial y,Championships. ,?:Tho Club 'held-'a-meeting in,-Christ- ' ■?;bchuichroii'f:Thursdayi'December:-16,'.- buti.from--fc;%lack.v.of.i;,adver"uising,'.:and»:general - .working,'.,up j the-.attendance,:of ..the.'.pubflc. was. very, .meagre; :At;although the ; sports,: are reported - as ■ being in- ; - >>times; of ,-;the -sprints ■• woro goodT-too -.fast,,-an.-:fact,v..for:-the -scratch, .men.'. - :?■-ThevlOO iyards; ■ four -'beats; vand - the. > final; were < sraall'.runUn '.10isccoudsidead,K,and: the final .was ■(6ya5.).-,>-'::-B.': Opie:'ran frorn scratch, but -coulcj eet no .-nearer .than ■ second in his heat, and unplaced in tho .ii,i'tnal.>u:i':The '220-; was ..won'.:byv.6. . A.': Drake ' f (10yds) in 23 seconds, Opie running second. c in, his heat in 22 4-ssec Drake also won ,-'-.. i.th- 440:' yards; offyl9.r,yards nn..:51:. l-ssec. < -' The''' rmilo also-..was -.-fast; .ibfeing, covered ■ in 14imn: : 29 1 l-.-)SQC. l)v.A\ 7 ..J.-Smith (1-iDyds.)—the 'liniiditfap--- -i ;-•! f.-per i-ttgaiu,.being vtoo,.generous. Miles 'Dicksbn,' champion,': won--the ' 4 3 -miles vin' 15mm.-47 3-oscc., renorted.as not shou'- : ::-,s}ng-.-hiS fproperfform; r'-St;. Aubyn- Murray' 'won : his heat in ,tho',l2o -hurdles from' uOyds.'belund 2ft .-/seconds, m-.- good. sound >.run, but .-could: ' :K¥Bet;.no.-.closer.:than.:.' third-i: in :the -final in 18. i-wonder.-, :---In ' the : half-mile ■ again ;;;!f,the:,>handicapper--;blundered,,'.lettinfe' in ,a;-handl- v ::, l J.cap .:mali . ia- lmin.- i 59.-- 4-ssec." . Nev." Zealind- ' ii-)tOhampion|.P.:,H..-:Stubberfield„won the.cmilo ::.-v,walk.-in .7mm,:.-2-ssec.;and 'the-high- jump -:was : r sainoxed by tho scratch mail, T. B. Robmson,. ' Jrith a jump of sft sin ...U'.,.,..,. : . ....... LODGE MEETINGS. f\ • 1 I 'Cheij,weekly-, session -.of :,the .Pioneer Lodee: ol 1 \ Good Templars was held in tho Reohabite Manners;,;Street;oil MauduV /eveuing.. |y?Brbi'iH.;Millail;Jabting-ohief;:Templor,Vpresid«'di |/-igoyerjlia >:|g6W.j:(attehdahce:i; iof ;'jimeihbor's :^ . and' .: .friends.. ■ :Two "candidates '. lyere proposed , and--..-wereroceived ..and- reciprocated' ... -Tho- nro- • nrammo for the evening was 1 "Christmas : ; ,v.-.'.able :-rrCarol,. by/.members; :i reading, by-' Bto.. v.vEjiid; rcarol,::by members; rccitation, by .Bro. ;:. v.tation,"Bro. G. Pothorick,:.G.b. , Hearty votes . iJ^'if-'Rthanks.-:to' vartists,'- andV 'visitbrs':'.brbueht - a- : ' ? •' for ■; tte ; Gstablislimaii t • ot a Shakespeare Memorial ; in ;:Loadon ..(iaf3' been :isaucd j.bfflphdbh.y/the; , ;>.,l!arl; of Lytton, and Mr.- Alfrod Lyttelton. ■■ -It IM ! -iSi'poihtod ~out..that ■Xo'ndon.is the . only I:great :c'apital ;^nthout',:[a.;National -Theatre,' and :' it ..is hoped funds - will - pei'mit the. com®|pre'tioh''',of .'such an .- ihstitutioh>:b'y. the' date. of ' jfiOthb of■/ Shakespeare's 'ideath,- A.pril : has: .given |j^7ojooo;'fflt^^?is.^ropbsed ; :thrtitho' appeiil'should, '%^.:^»j^<tt/v.tlwtH(^ltc6mmittees-iJi.e;;forine^!. md : : every; class ,'dh-nted : to i thus :perpehiato:-the •'. .flemory' of 'the "greatest -..Englishman." . &s'■&<- brjglit-'yoimg Kaffir,'linst-.for -run,- , - Sneezedjdown-the -barrel: of'a gun; ;■ ■:• ' And just to seo how things would go,. !■: He'pressed. the. : tngger.-with his,toe. basketful-of .'his'Tomajnsi,- ;-• > ■ i'K'-Wtts/gathored,'from 1 adjacent,'plains; ! . And' ilow'hia tribe, ypu may be sure, ' When', thoy have colds uso Woods' Peppermint Cure.—Advt. 18 wants' to ? .yknow ■ whethar^a: girl ought, to, get on .her knees |v ' when she' proposes;" The Swain:. "Whyvshould | ' blw,got:on,.hflr.kiieea-.when'ttis'iir<), £0 nandj/,-, 4

: Wonderland! The Mecca of Cheerful Souls! The -words. ,arq striking-. -,and set one's •thoughts moving?. Mind pictures rise up of Elysian vales. whore the, carting cares of Earth are • forgotton'rm an intensity of happiness. "s i Where is this' Wonderland?, It-is not mentioned in the world's gazetteer, :■ neither is*its:story tobo:found in- the bftoks:t.hat:tell of other worlds Nor does the name appear on-'any-destiriation-boards of the oity . tram-. carsl : But: ask--.: anyono who- has - boon. in .Wellington-for a day "Wonderland?" The questioner will bo surveycd < ".Why !■: Havo* yon -not ?been':tberfc-!LIi[o?. And;yet. you-arrived-:-this-■morning! -Just.- wait --right:;;here,s and take .the-flrstrMiramaT' tramcar. to tho: terminus. • .You ' will' Hot - need - any further,- directions., Lucky: fellow.- you aro, • to.-have, the. ..timoj, and in such.-weather.". ■ , • -Wonderland; then, is at.Miramar, - and four miles'-of -interesting tram-track. - -.separate; Miramar-from-the heart: of the tity. vWon-: derland is one of the • largest enterprises :in this-'much-syndicated city. The Wonderland Company hold - about fifty- acres of. valuable suburban land, most of which they are concerting into a playground for .Wellington citizens. - -Three years ago, -the proprietors embarked, on ;their huge-undertaking, -and searched-the -world for, amusement: machines, hatr-raising side-shows, iasd, laughter . depots.: Any new 'idea;, of---'mirth manufacture -was oonsidered'by them; -and some of .those which, had met . with the great-ost success m other parts'-were exploited at Miramar. - --In- this way - came the water chute, the toboggans,. the-miniaturo .railway,-and.-the manyother entertaining - devices < winch; abound.at. Wonderland- .*•■' Millions . of. pcoplo- 'have:!: visited... Wonderland during .tbe httlo- while that it has ; been-opened, and those, people-have experienced . :countless - 'surprises.:. They., have laughed loudly and - long," and have: length-, 'ened-their lives. ■ To-each one of those.tens of 'thousands of pleasure-seekers, who have on divers Occasions* pressed .anxiously - round tho entrances, the turnstiles,.-ln their: creaking,- havo whispered, "Happy :. bo vo who outer hero."..The • grounds of Wonderland liavo - accommodated -/.scores of picnics, and tho children havo always had ample diversion ' 1 '

M OHUTtfJG" THE WATER CHUTE. ' Ono may spend ■ a full and pleasurable afternoon m "doing" the side-shows.- lho most -thrilling■ of them- all, and perhaps the. niost"popular; is the water chute. On holidays, the boats liavo not been able ,to make, their trips fast enough; and scusation lovers dmve-.poured. lii-througlr- tho turnstile, in .a continuous stream: from morning . till inight;-: ;"-Cbuting,-the.,chute"-,is. a mild nerve..test... Goilig;.up"the slope of - that -huge structure on a trolley, adventurers .have timo for-, 'quiet- meditationthe anticipatory,- delights arc then at .their: highest. Having landed: on:the 'top platform, .the excitement begins,, and'.' . any ' undue display ,of eagerness.-.is. cliecked liy the'.attendants for. safety!s sake: Tho l)oBts aro-seen coming smoothly up.the tht)y~ arc-swung -round. on, their -turn-, ing-tablo .and pushed to.thei.cdgo of,the -fasr cinatmg,' water-cooled slide. . The. passengers jump 'in;-' somo (holding their. hats' im- their hands: • Witlr a warning word,' tho attond-' ant -lets-go--tlie-,-grip,- ana ;the boat, .with its smiling eargo, topples\forward . and ■ gathers speed-- The journey doivn- the .slippery face :is'a matter of .seconds, and then,follows,the joyous splash: -into -the■. waters of- tho ■ lake.-. That is -thd .culmination. - Every trip: is accompanied by, suppressed squeals from thoso who must give, vent to their feelings, alid.at. itimosi'the screams/.have-.a.-distinctly,.fright-, ened tone about them. ' -There is no causo for alarm, however,'for -no danger exists,and the boats are 50 shaped that, even when carrying their full complement of passengers, ■tliey seldom - ship a : drop :of . water. Visitors--1 to. VTondorlandwho desire. an. "oxpenence" should certainly: try-tho water chute. .If-not-satisfied,, -let them: turn to some of tbe .other, centres.-of ; merriment.: Tho aggregate - willbo • moro tbensj sufficient .for most ' normal people '

TOBOCCAN RACINC. . The tobaggons . are ■ always largely: patronised.- They are carriages which hold two just .comfortably, and-they, havo wheels of .the wind. Soorching is permitted—it isithe rulo—and ■ some close races, aro run. The lit-, tie- trolleys aro, brought down by their own weight, gathering- momentum -. all • the . way, Here is-e. notable exception to- the wellknown athletic rule: ;that.. (other things beingequal) the heavier man of two always stands "to lose. .At the bottom of- the- slope • the' tracks' form ' into -a - switchback,- and. thero:is- always- keen competition among th© tobogganing .".people. ; for"': length-of-journey honour 3;, - Thd -toboggans rank, -very.. close' to tho :water ; chuto. in tho matter of popularity.' -.:. :i • r Glancing ,-rouhd the - spaoiolis. and-prettily -laid • out -grounds, ln- the cfcntro of. winch; is. the- lake - (an.->ideal - -roirtng pond),. >the iclty:,man.may.Bigh:a contended sighJn that,his children:' may,, wandor vfreely. anrl un-: harmod- around; and about;- enjoying : themselves' to the full.- While -their-parents vgo-. to take a- seat oil the -lull overlooking the--Miramar' Valley,"'.'tho perchance,, stray towards tho . southern boundary,- - to-, find there a dozen .more, sideshows,': .which they, can ftll.'appreciato. - V-;- : - V ,>j

A SCORE OF LAUGHTER BOOTHS. : *-'Ascthey 'Standsivith 'fur'.byes ,mirrors (in the; Laughing' Gallery, i they- "do not -bother,-.to - thing of the physical- laws which govern the distortion of "images" ; .only tho absurdity of it' all ap-

pealsl' to - them,' and \they- pull faces •as thoy -. -pass from-one mirror to another in order-to iheighten the fun. if possible, and to cause, more pain in their l Bides. Not far. off is the :Pike, . where there are -numerous .penny-in- 1 thc-slot maohmes -of--the • most attractive. order. 1 , - r ßerc, L too, ": are ~ all., .manner -of • :contrivanccs;!..and.weighing apparatus; the. Sandow student, who would - punch a bag,: do -somo.weight-lifting,' or/.-t-cst tho power of..his :gnp ; , finds - the: necessary equipment ready to Ins 'hand.,'-The I'iko .business 1 is an extensive one-on holidays. :-

YE DARKE DONJON. ■ From without, ■ the Katzenjammer , Castlo •is -a mysterious structure, ..but •:those ::,who - venture' Hi/through its portals-find-its 'mys- • tones even more bewildering .than/,-they, had at.hi'st supposed.' Altogether, it ls -a \veird place—as a . sidesliow, a real - . "thriller." AVhat; manner, of man is: he - who can pace sternly- through thoso - dark passages without teehng- his heart, wobble .: just.-a ; trifle? Most,of the ladies who pass'into tllo Castle give themselves over to*-a subdued scream, the inflection, of iwhich nscs and falls-as cachnow surprise is, reached, and 1 , .passed. The -inventors, of the Katzeiijammer-:wer9 extro--,mists. ■ Guests, at the Castle are not 'received in .the liall -:by .a smilinghostess—they l aro permitted .to gropo along.-a - dark and nariow: passage, the ihxjr- ol which .rocks andtumbles incessantly. Thero aro-.many- turn-: ings'aud tnistmgs in the narrow path,- but s^ow the: pitfalls which'abound-• At one stage,, a,-full-Sized 'gaio is diverted' black tunnel, • and, a few- - steps farther on, the flooi. bumps up ,and down at a great rate. • Theso and manv other iyiusussl happenings strike disroav 111: the hearts of-the:; brayo visitors, who. - plunge. - breath-• lesslv . through -the exit. > and begin- to.: look: foolishly- at: each other and at tho.sun. steadily pursuing his courso in the heavens.- They gaze for a moment suspiciously at the calm exterior: of. .the -.Katzenjammer. -Castle; .and. then turn : away ivith a . hollow, ■ strained laugh. "It is a great joke; Don't miss it," they tell their-friends. . -; ,

WHEN THE WORLD TURNS TURTLE. -the-.Castlo for- cennoss-is tho Magic Swing.- One walks into a well-ap-pointed room, brightly .lit .- with ; electric, -bulbs, and takes a- seat in the middle,;along with laughing children: and adult, holidaymakers. The., door, closes, and the fun begins. ;. At first the delusion is not apparent,- and.-everybody.iiolds'.tightly-to the seat, expecting to be thrown..to tho floor.-But by .this, time: the. floor-is .whore- the' roof"was,: and- the-whole room, lights and all, is whirling round ■ and. round. -The- only - stationary . part: is the seallll tho 111 lddlo (suspei)ded on :an-- axle) with its • burden .of mirth-seekors. •The occupants of the swing get' quite a lot amusement out of' it. and, bv tho timo it is over, they have begun to think that nothing •in; 'the world is stable or Those outside waiting -their turn-.have -al.most.'asi njuchv",diversion in hearing- the shouts of. anguish coming from msidc -as dotie'actual occupauts; of -the whirling room.-

THE GIDDY HELTER-SKELTER. ■ • A-' quaint - tower .standing - in the- middle, of the lawn prondes helter-skelter amusement for the children They aro each suppliod with ■a..'iriat ) : on'/which .tlKiy alide down ■and round tho tower in a bright copper-lined ;. \Thtf ■youngsters-'' follow, : each',' in- quick , successipn.vtossing ..and . tumbling - steps-.thfoughVtM'','tbwfer-;to.: repeat;':the pro^i ":/'V':-V'.*:-irf 1 ;V. '-/*•• L ' * THE TINY "PUFF-PUFF." r.TIio-/, miniature''; railway '■i'.tMid : .;.tb!;;liS: : :^th'e-| carries' ,'a -largo iiiimber, of • excursionists. -One' ■^pleasing?feature about ' this/dwarf 'railway: ■service,-is ...tbat'-jnq,^'tickets: ; arfr causo . this: (like Vall'-'the,:,'others) ;,-is free.' ;;The', powerful :'-,.Jpc'ombi.ivft'o. : is-i : -lia : rn-;. esscd- to- a number: of -model carriages,• ■■ and the; 'H;rßinß'';/kro< irivariably-cfowded ;on : .leav-: .'journey by:';fail is ; shbrt, but ..sufficiently interesting.- Tlife' line, tunnels' through portion of-the.hill,' and. 'out 'among the cuttiags in

the .far corner of the grounds, doubling-on itself in the-return. Children and grown-ups-;alike have enjoyed many, pleasant-trips behind the little-steam engine.- '

> FERN FRONDS AND MOSSES. . Tho fernery is a place of enchantment, and a cool retreat. Its silver streams and moss.covered rockeries - arc surmounted bv the long, drooping lronds of lern trees. There ato some rcallv fine specimens of tree-tern, -for. which tho owners liave -bccn offered sub-stantial-sums. -They, have - repeatedly declined to sell, being inclined rather to doublo their number . than to lose any of these beautiful- native ferns. ■ Maiden hair and stag.ferns arc there in abundance, and-tho whole arbour is arranged' most artistically. Mirrors placed in- pretty corners throw reflections of added beauty, .and' a- rustic bridge crosses the stream at one of the most charming spots. : AN IDEAL' PICNIC PLACE. 1 The grounds make an ideal picnic resort, and the - management show tnoughtfulness in regard, to-the-needs of -visitors by provid--lng hot water, free of charge. The - gardens just now. ai 1 © a blaze of .colour, and tbe results .of the work of Mr. George Adams (chief.,gardep6r). aro seen to .'be highly, satisfactory.. /From. tho. hill -at' the far. ; end of ™9.\6foundsi-' a . little jstream runsdown in cascades;. and;' tip near its sourcej there are Many cosy scats (.mjpimanding a perfect'view of tlie, .whole'.. grounds. - At' night.-, when every; sidcsh'ow is lit up,, aiid long - ropes-.of' bright 'electric lamps'form,a mazo: overhead, - fhe - grounds look particularly' attractive. ■Tbe'n it-is:'that','visitors realise 'most vividly' .the,magnitude of. the carnival. The tea- kiosk is ■ in,, capable hands,: tho lawns : are. closely croppedj'.andijthei' sumiher-houso has 1 received necessary ,to. make it a popular resting-plac'o; There is ' accommodation for :old; and, young,, for those■ who 'are. boisterinclined, and for . other's 'who may. want' to r.bb. alone , 4 in::;their holiday-making: - Mr. . p;-; G: Morgan, the: manager,..-has an, office, "in",.thevgrounds, : and swill'",bo pleased 1 to •answer any .inquiries, or .make'' arrangements for priyate: picnics. ; Adjoining the grounds,'is an' extensive athletic-park, which, is availablo for'.picnics

and sports, gatherings. Tho accommodation thero leaves nothing to be desired, for tbo grandstand is furnished 'on : modem lines, with • all necessary dressing rooms;, dilimghall, and cloak rooms. THE HOLIDAY PROGRAMME AMD FIREWORKS. BOXING NICHT CARNIVAL. Special attractions aTO announced at derland for the holidays. The grounds-will-be open all-day Monday (Boxing- Day), and ©very day: during .tlie-iveekj .also, oil January. 5 and 8.- Wonderland will not .be, open .on Christmas Day. Tho prices of 1 admission are Adults, ono shilling; Children,: sixpence; no charge -being -made, at-any of the sideshows. ■ On ■ the night of Monday- next (Boxing Day); • a grand hreworks display, will, bo held: at Wonderland, tho same charges for admission bang made. Mr. K. T. Bickerton,. the. well-known fireworks expert,-lias the matter m hand, and tho proprietors promise that tho evening's display will be a.brilliant.one, oompletely eclipsing anything that has .been .seen in tho.city in the past. Some remarkable cffects are: to be presented, and one of, the best will be the-shoal.of fiery, water rats' swimming on thei large lake. dovecot will be built in fire, and flaming pigeons lvill .fly out,of it and scatter in all directions. A fireworks- repreiseht'ation of Niagara Falls is announced as'-jarf of. the evening's programme, and, besides hundreds of rockets, bombs, and Roman candles, : the

fire artist will show weeping willows, rainbow wheels,, a -oromotrope, shells-• a fiery whirlwind, and many other novelties in fireyorks. : . There will also bo an exhibition" ofIndiau: club-swmging, tho clubs being composed .chiefly of. firo. Theso arc: only a few of the attractions of Wonderland. Later on, tho management-will introduce a geyser, and they expect to-have an airship-in full'work--mg order. At a- subsequent fireworks display, tbo most. important event 'will-be tho .chuting of-,tlie chiite" into a lake of firo FRESH ATTRACTIONS! NEW IDEAS! WELLINGTON SPORTS CLUB. SUPERB CLUBHOUSE AT MIRAMAR. ~ ? he proprietors realiso that tho possibilities, of- W.ondorlancl aio not by. any mcaus exhausted. There , aro many avenues for enterprise, untouched as yet, and early in tup ney year, it is. their intention to in-' augui ate (in .conjunction with some Hawke's* 1 Bay runholdors)' what -will be c/illcd tho A>elhngton Sports -Club.. - Its -headquarters will be; at Miramar, 111 the clubhouse, adjacent to Wonderland, which was-completed only a months ago.' The clubhouse is a two-storoyod building of thirty-six rooms, plans for which were drawn by Mr. J. S. Schwartz, architect. : ITio building is of . mod-: orn,. design, ivith five gables/ and octagonal windows, and there . are. several ■ balconies' ranging from 10ft. to -14ft. in width. Tho main iiall measures 42ft.-; x 40ft-., and has Cathedral stained glass window's- ou bothsides, as: has-also the . entrance porcli. Tho Walls- and ceilings of tho .liall' arc panelled,; aiid . the - general app'earaiice isliotli liaud-. soiiio and pleasing. ,~!fhero is'-a. large billiard room.',with - numerous:, windows-, and - two handsome, fireplaces.. A billiard tabje has been secured- and,-will_,bo .fitted up', immediately. Tho staircase rises iii short' flights-from the hall, and on the first fl6drthere - aro thirty bedrooms,/several; of which have : large 'bay .windows. The! diningrboni, 42ft;. x 32ft.,; is'oil the ground floor. It is woll lighted; and tho Walls are decorated with stamped leather .work. An airv library occupies a.;corner, 18ft.,'x: 13ft.- flie room, has an oriel windoiv,' and , will be furnishedin .the, most up-to-date manner; and supplied with .a valuable collection of books aiid the current periodicals. One of the most

elaborately furnished rooms is .thei.drawihg-j room, upstairs. ■ It,is' finishedin -.whitoand pale .green,' and. the walls .and. ceiling are figured in silver white. Thb. heartii' tileslsrV: pale, green,-and tlje overmantles, .which havo : beautifully :curved- bevelled'".mirrors,::aro' infigured rirnu.' The building does .; not lack' 'for., storerooms, linen presses, and- : batlirooms,; having : strong • electro-plate .'fittings. :' and supplied■ with -hot and,cold : water.' Elei-,' ■fcric'- lignt is fitted-; throughout;; The electrio" ci'rrent- can be supplied from Wonderland,' where Mr.,T. P. Eewitt, is in charge of. the machinery. department:, A':, private-. reser-; voir,-.in the hills provides',an; adequate::sup-, ply-, of-' water' for.-the; clubhouse.;; \ > ALL SPORTS TO BE CATERED FOR.EVENINC CARNIVALS. It is to be no ordinary club. There arc few. branches of sport . that, .will not, :be;,rer. presented, here. -, 'I'h'e site 'of;:;tho, club.-is_-;a most convenient one;.- It is-within-sis; min--; utes' .walk of the Karaka Bay beach, ■whcre i thero. are excellent; swimming, . and' fishing facilities,. ferry .wharf' is quite, handy. The;clubhouse stands- within a stone's throw of' the Miramar tram terminus, and. is thus within easy distance of the city,, both by tram and boat. It is proposed, to lay.out .several tennis courts,'a large bowling green, and croquet lawns,. An archery 1 club tor ■ la'dies and gentlemen Is another proposal that has been greeted enthusiastically, and, , before the Sports Club .has bepn established, for many months, thero

will'be~provision made for golf, cricket,-.p010'.- ; nockoy, -lacrosse,. aiid' fives. • . .• : • A.'gymnasium, - equipped ' with "-the' '-'most' modern apparatus,is. to ;be added, 1 a : nd motorists . and.' motorcyclists will have" tho .services of a fully : qualified engineer, who will repair and ov it-licul machines. i Garago accommodatioii is already,, available. As the . , grows,, it' is hoped' that otherlmprove-: menls will bo possible, and: one of. the - mcst desirablo .16 the construction : of floors for' ice and roller skating.; It is most likely,' ; fr°f« motor launch will bo rlacixlat .tho disposal of members. Indoor pastimes, S i UC ,• billiards, cards, draughts, o i<3S5. n 11Q (lonimoos,. will, bo,encouraged, and: attention 1 ,g»'cn ;.to singing and -dancing. : A' grand ..piano is already.on. tho- promises," ! Such clubs as tho ono proposed liavo been run. successfully: in' tlio Homo Land and inIndia. . The objects of tlio AVcllington' .bpqrts Club will be to encourago: interest in sport among both sexes. Tlio ladies will lo' .admitted tomembership, appropriate..' recreations; being; provided for ;them.'.: They "will': rights with the gentlemen,-Visi-' : t»rs. to, tho - city ■will, be granted ,leges_of: the-.olub on. special terms. ': On" ceri'' ■ tarn day«, .it is proposed' to' hold garden ies • teas; to which/ members 1 ; may invito, their .friends.; Seeing that-mem-bers will bo admitted to Wonderland free at' all times, that garden be '-'a per- : potual source, of pleasure. Now and-then - evenings" , will be held, and tennis and ' other games will be plajcd by electric light It hoped in this way to make tho club a popular institution and extend its sphore of usefulness. On these special . occasions, a blind will be ; in attendanco.'aud 'everything' will be,carried: out on a lavish scale . A . photograph of the 'clubbouso.is: slibwn', above.. ..Anyone -desirous'' of \inspectiiig. tlie„ premises will be givoiian opportunity of 'do-> uig. so. later, oil..application -tp: Mr ; ' Aubrey' tualter, .of; Messrs. Gualtcr, Dykes':aiid : Co'./ interim secretary of tho , club. .It is hoped: that .tho. membership of tho club will-be such'that;aho subscription ; may ; bo' mado quitola moderate oiie. Early in the coming, year; a meeting will be at' which > rules will bo drawii up, officers, appointed, and tho club inaugurated on' a sound footing. ; ; ■