ABOUT PING-PONG.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7417, 31 May 1902, Page 3

ABOUT PING-PONG.

Ping-pong has now become a factor in ecclesiastical polity. It has secured for itself the denunciation of the Bishop of Manchester, and has deprived the British army now fighting in (South Africa of a weekly modicum of prayer. In an Essex village a custom has been in existence lor over a year of holding a special service every Wednesday afternoon, at which supplications were earnestly offered for our ! soldiers. Recently a young iady, who had been a regular attendant at these meetings, went to the church at the usual hjour, and was surprised to find the portals closed. She asked the caretaker, whom she met not far on 5 , why this was so, and* the old dame replied in astonishment, " Oh,- we ain't got no prayers tnis ar'ternodn, mass. Wiiy, don't you know this is tne opening day of the JL»ing-pong Club it" Sure enough, the rector and his wiie, and the usual Wednesday worsnippers, nad forsaken Ueir orisons to play the lasmonabie game, winch has invaded country villages, with unprecedented fury. It is annouucedt however, that at the dub ping-pong piaying will be suspended during xtoiy W'«ek. Ping-pong has become a great favourite in TurkuH houses, wnere it is played witu great zest Oy tiie ladies, who .are deiignted [ with a new amusement. The Khedive oi I Egypt's motner, vie Jinedivan, nasset up palace on tne Jiospnorus, aad.tue ladies atuiuied to Her piay every day. One great advantage tuey have is tnat tnere are swanus of iittte biacjt slaves who pick. 'up :. uie. balls and, save tuein ail trouDic. JLuV jcaiedivah n&s never seen t>now in her me, and remained this winter in Constantinople to see it. Ihe winter iias been very inuu, and she was growing very disappointed, tui one day a Heavy laii came, tone at once ordered out Her carriage and drove througu ncr park to nave a good look. Whtnsiie got Home sue sent out for large trays oi show, witli whicn sne and her ladies made snowoalis and peited the iittie black slave*.