SOCIAL TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1897, 12 June 1890, Page 38

SOCIAL TOPICS.

By Cigarette. A VISIT TO THE MONOWAI. Dunedinites must be like the Athenians of old— ever ready to hear or see some new thing,,to judge by the crowds of men, women, and children who on Saturday, the 31st ult., boarded the Monowai, the Union Company's latest extravagance in steamers. Although the rain descended in smart showers every 10 minutes, and the mud in the streets was the consistency of " pease porridge in the pot nine days old," yet there was a stream of people all day threading the thoroughfares to and from the wharf. The wharf itself was in an alarming state of slipperiness, and the steamer being berthed at the extreme end of the tongue wharf it required careful navigation to reach it, especially in the gloaming, which creeps on so quickly after i o'clock. After splashing into pools of water, climbing over sheets of iron, stumbling over railway lines, the steamer is reached at last, and a grand specimen of a steamer she is, but so high out of the water that going up the gangway is like climbing up the roof of a house. But curiosity sticks at nothing, so anyone would sa> who saw the fond mother with a baby in her arms struggling onward and upward, one arm round her offspring, the other on the gangway rope. However, the gallant tar comes to the rescue, relieves her of her burthen, and pilots her safely to the top, she hands him a ticket, with " admit two " on it, though what there can be to interest a baby here is hard to tell. No doubt it wondered, like the fly in amber, " how the deuce it got there 1" All over the vessel people swarm like bees, surprise, curiosity, and delight depicted on their faces as fresh beauties dawn on them. How delightful it is to an inquiring mind to be allowed to peep and pry into every nook, opening doors, peeping round corners, touching everything that comes in their way. First into tho social hall, where a diminutive maiden in short frocks, with the assurance of a professional player, is strumming a waltz on the piano to an admiring audience, who greet the close of the performance with a burst of applause. One learned critic remarked, " I canna' ca' that a quid pianna; ifc didna' mak' eno' noise." After admiring and fingering the lovely bird's eye maple with which the music room is lined, the crowd disperses. Each one follows his own sweet will, some on deck, some to the engine room, some to the saloon, wherever their fancy leads them. The first thing which strikes one entering saloon is the magnificent sideboard at the further end. This is a beautiful piece of workmanship, and was exhibited at the Glasgow Exhibition. The saloon is tastefully decorated with ferns and plants in artistic-looking Japanese jars. Good taste prevails everywhere, and the carving and upholstering combine in giving a general impression of comfort and elegance. Curiosity still eggs us on and we thread our way amid the crowd to survey the sleeping accommodation. It is everything that could be desired, and the toilet arrangements are so complete that one would almost think the Union Company placed cleanliness before godlinessjto judge by the sumptuous arrangements made for the proper ablutions of the travelling public. The bathrooms are simply perfect. Each bath is of solid marble, and there are numerous lavatories and shower baths, Mysterious red arrangements like children's trumpets are fixed outside the cabins, which, we are informed, are there in case of fire. " Oh, I see," says the anxious inquirer, but with such a vacant look that we rather doubt the truth of the statement. Back to the saloon, where the electric light ia shedding a soft brilliancy over everything; then through to the second saloon, which should be seen first to be properly appreciated, for with the glories of the saloon fresh in our mind we cannot do it full justice. Everything looks very comfortable, crimson and biscuit colour being the prevailing colours. On the tables are aestheticlooking jars of dull red pottery, containing indiarubber, plants, and ferns. We pass through here and come to the sleeping accommodation for second-class passengers. Everything here is on a much plainer scale than the first-class cabins, but exceedingly comfortable and airy notwithstanding. Alarge family could be splendidly accommodated in one cabin, and all have plenty of elbow room. Bub " two bells " rings out, so we must not linger here any longer. The stewards are laying the cloth in the saloon, and some of the visitors are watching the operation with interest and seem loth to tear themselves away. Perhaps they are expecting a general invitation to dinner, and aye acting in the belief that " All things come to those who wait." Leaving them strong in their belief, we ascend the companion, and after taking a peep at the luxurious arrangements for newly wedded couples who are foolish enough to make their matrimonial debut at sea, we emerge from the brilliantly lighted and deliciously inviting music room on to the deck in the midst of a drizzling rain, with darkness coming on apace and half a mile of. slippery wharf between us and the haven where we would be. No wonder we feel that the Monowai is the most perfect of steamboats, and when we are escorted on to terra firma by one of her officers, whose manners are only excelled by his looks, we arrive at the conclusion that if it were not for the miserable mal de mcr nothing would be more desirable than a trip to Sydney in this beautiful floating palace.