ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON

Otago Witness, Issue 3754, 23 February 1926, Page 33

ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON

By

Pensarrow.

(Sfkciai.lt Written fob thr Witniss \ February 18. The scene at the Athletic Park last Saturday afternoon was reminiscent of the big football days of last season. An excited crowd filled all seating accommodation, swarmed on the hill, and clung precariously to fences and housetops, the occasion being the Athletic Sport’s meeting. The real attraction was the second meeting between Hahn, the American long-distance champion, and Rose, the tall Wairarapa man, who, amid scenes of undcscribahlc enthusiasm, succeeded in turn iug the tables on his redoubtable opponent. The New Zealander, profiting by the experience gained in his previous encounter, this time ran a well-judged race, leading his man round the first three laps at a sound and steady bat. However, at the beginning of the fourth and final lap the American on the pace and forged ahead, with Rose hard on his heels. The surprise came half-way down the straight where everybody expected to see Hahn race home, lie was overhauling all the small fry at a great pace when the Wairarapa man, pulling in a magnificent sprint against a strong head wind, over took everybody and gained the victory, Halm fully eight lengths behind him. The third meeting between these two will undoubtedly create tremendous excitement in athletic circles. In style they represent a marked contrast, decidedly in the New Zealander’s favour. For a champion Hahn appears to take an absurdly long stride, whereas Rose gives the impression that he is running in seven-leagued boots. This visit of the Americans seems likely to give a filip to athletics in New Zealand. A friend of my youth reminds me of the “sports” days in our little old home town. They were momentous occasions then, but as a rule seem less popular now. We were interested to observe that one of Saturday’s competitors hails from our native heath. “Not that it matters,” as Mr Milne would say, but I mention the fact because his father was eminent in quite a different branch of sport—achieving fame by drinking (for a bet I hope and trust) twelve “long beers” while our somewhat leisurely clock was striking the witching hour of twelve. The bakers of Wellington held their amiual picnic on Saturday, so householders stocked up with the staff of life in advance. Most bays that day were crowded with picnickers in spite of the north wind which was exceedingly vile. Visitors to Wellington should remember that the spot to choose when the north wind blows is Breaker Bay, on the ocean beach. It is reached by a cutting through the hill from Seatoun. There is perfect shelter. Straight across the lighthouse Pencarrow can be plainly seen, looking like a very tall woman slightly leaning towards the sea. No doubt the tower is perfectly upright, but it gives that impression. At Breaker Bay the beach is shingly, rather steep and not good for bathing, for the water gets quickly deep, and there are submerged rocks: but for a quiet picnic under the cliffs the place is hard to beat —if there is no southerly wind. To my amazement I there saw a little penguin disporting itself off shore on Saturday, a lonely little creature,, taking no interest in the fishing boat which was making for the Heads. A mariner tells me he has often seen penguins round about these coasts, but this is the first time I have come across one—except my dear old pal “Charlie” in the zoo who, by the way, was not present last time I took a party of children out to look at the tiger. We missed him badly. This reminds me of a picnic at Day’' Bay last Tuesday. The Pensions Department and prisons and offices of that ilk had chosen that place for the annual picnic in which their staffs indulge, and there was a sound of merriment round those parts. Some Sisters of Mercy had also taken out various children from Buckle street, and four of these wee mites lost their nosebags. Three senior officers of the Pensions Department had gone over to see the fun. and were moved with compassion when they found the children had also lost their pennies and so were unable to ride madly in the Giddy Go Round. The officers played the part of fairy godmother, and hired the Giddy .Go Round for half the afternoon, treating all kids present to the fun. So did the eun shine once more, and three of Wellington’s best and brightest bachelors come home more than ever convinced that it is indeed better to give than to receive. This morning guns shook our morale, probably because every door and window in the place was banging and rattling at the time. More wind. On enquiry I discover that this bombardment is merely by way of welcome to the Japanese trainingship Iwate, which is even now tied up at the Clyde Quay wharf. Unless this scribe is mistaken the Iwate was here not so very long ago. and berthed at the same place. All Wellington went on board, partook of a cold drink which did not appeal to yours truly, besought the Admiral to sign Japanese post curds, witnessed jujitsu encounters ou the main deck, collected souvenirs, and tried to take an intelligent interest in the wonders of the great ship. No doubt the same programme will be repeated. Meanwhile the usual formalities are being observed. Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, so those who have leanings that way arc fasting and meditating. The rest of the world pursues the policy “business os usual--likewise pleasure."

Marsden School opened in the new buildings at Kavori, the bishop in his robes officiating. Members of the Board of Governors and their wives had been invited. The place dominates Karori, and is wonderfully situated. I have never seen a finer site for a school. Karori residents are waking up to the fact tliai this is “the tide which taken at the flood,' etc. Property for sale is now advertised “within .so many feet or minutes of Marsden School. Outgoing trams between 8.30 and 9.30 are now packed with bright faced girls who wear the green and pale blue hatbands with which Wellington lias been familiar for half a century. There will be a gap iu_ the congregation at St. Paul’s now, for the boarders have always attended service there, sitting in the transept. A very distinguished visitor once remarked that he had never seen better behaved girls. lie was present on an occasion when the Prince of Wales occupied the front seat of the church, and all Wellington attempted to got into St. Paul’s. The girls occupied their usual seats, sitting to the right and left of the Royal party and in full view. The temptation to stare must have been very great, but this English soldier declared that he no* cr once saw a girl raise her eyes. They had been carefully instructed beforehand, and though they doubtless took in every detail of that most interesting occasion their conduct was exemplary and remarkable, and it is pleasant to know that it did not pass unobserved. The girls will be missed in Thorndon. However, the final move does not take place till May, the hostel at Karori still being incomplete. In Lambton Quay last week I saw two ladies stop to look compassionately at a little fox terrier which lay on its side panting out in the road. “Someone has hurt the poor thing,” one said, and “brute,” the other indignantly murmured. A crowd soon gathered. One old lady, saying something about “convulsions or worse,” hurried on. Small boys gaped, but no person with initiative appeared. “So sad,” said a tall and beautiful young woman, and her eyes filled with tears, but. like sunshine after rain, a quick smile followed. “Look!” and she pointed. The dog, stung by a fly. had risen. Immediately afterwards, spying a fellow across the road, he was off. So was tragedy, for that dog.

Clara -Butt is giving two more concerts early in March—of the popular variety. “The Green Goddess” is on at the Opera House, and many attractions at the pictures. The Medical Conference sitting at Nelson has drawn some of the local doctors. The public is interested in th* rccont pronouncement of the new Minister of Public Health, concerning the better classification of mental patients, the op portunities to be given all persons suffering from overstrain, and the new arrangements made for handling mental cases before their committal to the hospitals. The community observes, too, with interest tliat the Minister has informed the doctors now sitting in conference that full consideration will be given all conclusions at which they arrive. $o do we progress.