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Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 7, 9 January 1926, Page 8

It is not usual to address a Hindu as "c hoa," the Maori greeting. A workman on the wharf at "which the steamer Sussex berthed yesterday learned that, a native was adjusting the gangway in a manner which did not seem to meet with the approval of the man on shore. In order ,to attract the dusky sailor's attention he shouted the Maori expression at him. A howl went up from the crowd of "wharfies"'waiting to commence 6perations on the ship's cargo, and the linguist departed down the wharf to the accompaniment of a combined chorus of "c hoas."

Evening "concerts" are often provided on suburhan trains, especially after (j p.m. The other night an outward train received "Tom" at the first stop, who evidently had had a heavy day under a "bright sun." "Tom" was cordially received by tbe passengers, but in a short space of time he was the subject of adverse criticism as to his ability to sing and whistle. "Tom" •resented the attack on his reputation and promptly challenged all present to a singing and whistling match. Two accepted the challenge to a "whistle," with a proviso that "Tom" the first rendering. Then came the question of the "test" piece, "Alice, Where Art Thou ?" finding favour by a small margin over "The Mocking Bird." After a reasonable time of preparation the challenger declared himself as fit, in fact, "set like a jelly," and commenced his contribution. However, "Alice" did not appear to respond to his "calling" for about half-way through he swung over to "The Mocking Bird." This, of course, put "Tom" out of the picture for the evening, despite his protests. Possibly a further "whistle" will be arranged for a later date. Under these social conditions the delays at tho suburban stations arc rarely objected to — if ever noticed.

A Dunedin official whose duties are not altogether unconnected with police affairs has a kindly admirer in the country, whose felicitations at Christmas took the form of a fine ham._n.i gift was dispatched to the correct street, but bore the wrong number, with the result that a neighbour of the official's received, much to his surprise, a finelymatured bam. In due course the official was advised of the consignment by the consignor, and naturally wondered what had become of it. Explanations followed, and the intended recipient strolled round to his neighbour to make inquiries. The ham not being produced, the neighbour's wife was asked where it was. "I'm afraid, very much afraid, that we have eaten it." was the retort. "You know very well," said the official, that your husband is not a ," mentioning bis official rank. "Well, he may be some day," came the optimistic retort. From information received it is possible that a sequel to the story may be heard in the Police Court.

A distinguished Swedish journalist has been visiting Southland, and the other day, as, the boat pulled out to mako the run* from Bluff to Stewart Island, word was passed round that the visitor was among the passengers (cays the "Southland News"), Soon he was pointed out, and became the cynosure of all eyes. A gentleman of authority on board approached him and courteously entertained him by ** pointing out the places of interest and retailing stories of the days of old. He paid particular attention to the Swedish settlers in the district, and at last the gentleman who was being entertained asked: "But why do yon tell mc so much about the Swedish people here?" " Why," was the reply, "I thought you would be interested. Aren't j-ou Mr. ?" (giving the name of the journalist). "Mr. ," said the stranger in astonishment. "Why. I come from Nottingham," The feelings of the entertainer may be imagined, as also those others who had given so much attention to one who would never have got it as an ordinary tourist.

Traces of old Wellington have been revealed by tlie excavations for the foundations of the new Dominion offices on a block of land between Old Customhouse Quay and Wakefield Street. Quite close to the line of Old Customhouse Quay, some six to eight feet of filling has been found above the g-raveliy sand of the old beach, and here and there the remains of stout old birch piles, in a good state of preservation, have been uncovered. These, are the remains of Robertson's wharf, and are a reminder of those days when a good deal of shipbuilding and repairing was done in that corner of Lambton harbour. Another evidence of the old times was laid bare in a conglomerate of iron shavings, the refuse from J. and H. Barber's tin works, where tins used to be made for packing meat for export to the islands and for local consumption. The foundations for the new building will be as much as 18ft in depth in some places.

They say that it is much better to be born lucky than rich. One evening a young man, while attending the pictures accidentally dropped a small piece of white paper in whicli was rolled and tied in a neat package two much treasured £5 notes, says the North Auckland "Times." The young man did not miss the money until next morning, and thought that 'it had gone west. His mother, however, was not going to give up hope so easily and got to work to carefully search the track that the young man had taken to the theatre, and had her search rewarded by finding the lost notes in the water channel outside of the theatre door. What a find someone missed!

A Wanganui hotelkeeper encountered i the champion mean visitor who came to dine at his premises on Thursday. Hej had with him his wife and two sturdy boys. The boys, after travelling, put away a much better meal than their parents, but the waitress, out of generosity, only charged them the same price as one adult. Then the mean man complained about the boys being charged for at all, and getting short shrift from the waitress, carried the complaint to the proprietor. The latter advised the head of the family to go and see the Charitable Aid Board seoretan

Considersi le damage Las i-.i-n done to the plantations in Samoa by the hurri-' cane that swept over tlie group recently, and a cablegram received in Auckland yesterday by Messrs. John Burns stated that it was estimated the output of copra would be reduced by 2000 tong. In addition to this lossa. the cocoa planta- i tions had been seriously damaged. j

I Two missionaries from Masterton, New Zealand, returned to the Dominion yesterday after four years' work in India, and China. They were !Mr. and Mrs. H- V. Brewer ton, and they had with them their infant, aged about 12 months, which was born in tlie Malay States. Mr. and Mrs. Brewerton left the Do- , minion in 1921, and went to Singapore. | They remained there for a year and a half, after which thoy visited China for !15 months, during the period of th/ 6 internal wars. They then returned to India and later continued their missionary efforts in Klang, Malaya, for a little over'a year. Mr Brewerton's health suffered, and with his wife, he is now on ■ furlough for an indefinite period.

j "Blessed be the peacemaker,*' runs an I old saying, but there' are exceptions. I One exception occurred at the Browns sports on Wednesday last, much to the regret of the gentleman most concerned, says the "Southland News." A dispute arose on the ground owing to a protest by a sideshow owner in regard jto his rent. A member of the commitI tee, more daring, perhaps, than some of ! his fellows, then kicked over the supI ports, and quickly found that be had ; struck a hornet's nest, taking the count \ when lie received a fierce smack across the knuckles from the irate lady partner 'of the sideshow owner. "Fools rush in I where angels fear to tread," and an- ; other committeeman hastened to hpal ' the breach. But, alas for the jeacemaker, the lady was not to be pacified, and a good right-hander to the -eye warned the pacifist that a neutral policy was the best. Quite a crowd collected round the combatants, but the affair ended quietly after the rout of tbe ' peacemaker.

I A- good story Is going the round of ! club-land concerning a certain Cabinet i Minister who at one time was much | addicted to auction bridge. He -holds :an official position which is very expen- , sive to maintain in accordance with old- . time traditions, and when be assumed : office laughingly explained that be would j have to retrench. Ruefully mindful of a I tendency to bid higher than his hand j always warranted, he grimly advised hi 3 friends that he'd either have to go into a ' smaller house —or give up bridge. His club friends expostulated, "For goodness sake, don't give up bridge," they said; i "if you do we shall all have to go into smaller houses."

! It is understood that several tradesjmen and other workers of New Ply- | mouth reaped a considerable harvest by i working on the wharves during the holidays. They have now returned to their i usual occupations. The waterside workers' award does not stipulate that • non-members of the union may not work lat times when all the available labour from the union has been recruited. Such a position, apparently, arose during the past week or two, when shipping was j fairly brisk. | The Labour Department notify that ! for the first time it has received applications from boys who have just left ! school for positions in the following trades:—Carpentering, 11; engineeringgeneral 4, electrical 3, motor 9; furnU ture. 5; painting, 3; plastering. 5; and plumbing, 11. It was desirous that employers having vacancies should communicate with the Department,