RANDOM SHOTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 103, 3 May 1930, Page 2 (Supplement)

RANDOM SHOTS

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The question whether eminent astronomers have or have not discovered new planets is above most people's heads. " The 1930 Australians will probably establish a reputation as the shyest team to visit England." But even when they are shy we must be told about it. Judging by the number of • weddings celebrated at Easter a considerable number of people have refused to be depressed by the price of wool. Easter seems to be the time when Auckland bookmakers are called on to pay their " license fees." Is this because the police believe that at this time the money is most likely to be available? The only difference between some of the recent war books and the " shilling shockers," which old people say do harm to the young, ie that the Avar books cost more than a.shilling. If all men, when as-ill as the Prime Minister has been rumoured to be, did as much work as is represented by the financial statement he issued last week, the production of this country would go up very fast. . "Race in the Sky." '"Venus and Mercury." These headings' betray the influence of the Easter racing orgy. Probably a bookmaker (one of the legally non-existent ones) would oblige any sportsman who wanted to have a bet on the Great Planetary Stakes. "All the retail ehopa took down their shutters this morning." Metaphorically speaking, of course. The act of putting up the shutfcerß consists,.for the modern shopkeeper, in switching on his window lights and closing the door. If shutters wore still commonly used, who would go to town at nights ? "Musicians who for years have ea;rned a living at music have attempted to do pick and shovel work, but, in two instances, have had to abandon that type of work, owing to their hands and physique not being fitted for it." And the others —those who proved "tough"—are they lucky or unlucky? The Irish free State censors hare prohibited the circulation in Ireland of six novels try English authors. Worse still, "the names of the authors are withheld." So, very probably* six authors who might have been given a wonderful advertisement will remain in obscurity. Perhaps they will take action against the Free State, not for suppressing the books, but for suppressing their names. The Auckland Electric Power Board members are not politicians They have announced reductions in the charges involving £30,700, which, when spread over thousands of consumers, will not be noticed. Had the Power Board been a political institution it would have announced a much bigger reduction, arid, then, after the election, raised a loan td meet the deficit. •' The annual University inter-college debate, usually held at the Easter tournament, was omitted from the programme this yeari; and it is reported that it is to be broadcast. The broadcast may be very interesting, but I doubt that many University students will listen in. Tlie ordeal of listening to their fellow students' eloquence, without being able to "check"a peroration by hurling a cabbage qr a hen on the stage, would be too great to endure. One of the officials employed in the tev\ for qualifications to hold motor, driving licenses stated that in: the tests for drivers' licenses-the women's work compared favourably with that of men. The women displayed quite a good knowledge of road usage, observing the signals and traffic signs. Failure to do so would, of course, mean disqualification. Which is to say that the' women, like men, did as much.as!they must do to obtain a license. It is almost a h&bit of- some •officials to express astonishment and gratification when members of. the general public display common sense. The "re-interpretation" of the conditions of the Treaty of Waitangi is sought by' the Maoris, on the ground that "had the signatories on the Maori side fully understood its clauses' they would never have signed." It. seems a considerable question,, for ninety years have passed since the treaty was signed. Probably all the signatories are dead now, so the question whether they understood what tbey signed is not easy to answer. Still, with the aid of "circumstantial evidence," concerning the value of which we have this week been reassured by an eminent barrister, «nr courts should be able to decide, not only whether the Maoris understood, but whether the Dominion must be handed back to the Maoris, debts and all.

THE WHIMS OF FASHION.

"The new fashions show a noticeable tendency towards lengthened skirts. This will mean tlie complete replenishment of milady's wardrobe, and consequent activity in the emporiums that cater for her ever-changing needs."—Fashion note. 'Oh, long ago the ladiei wore their dresses ! to- tJie ground, v ,And flounces,, frills, and furbelows adorned them all around; ;Beneath their trailing petticoats their feet j peeped in: and Aat, And ankles were of course, a theme to. makei a song- about. ' ' To mention — ahem — netlier limbs, was scandalous and wroug-. My word! It made you careful when the ladies wore, 'em long. The fashions changed—as will! Now pardon me I beg, As' I discuss with bated breath the prominence of leg;The added charm of loveliness no one will , controvert When upward, ever upward, went the muchly-shortened skirt. Where onea were fluffy draperies that fluttered in the bveeze. The world was privileged to see a ffne array of knees. Yet once again we see revised, the veryj latest style, I And dips and falls and trailing curves I' costumiers beguile; Tlie view of silken, stocking, reducible Ivy j Jialf. Alas T the ladies* dressed nearly cover-' up the calf. And kneecaps! Hush, what mysteries: Imagination reels— They're lost forever if' the dress drags ! round about the heels. What shall we do, oh brother men? Excitement .'is intense. The household commissariat is faced with more, expense. . The ladies scan with interest the ads. o£bargaih sales. , New dresses! What a battle cry! Xou know what that entails — f • Well, when the wife says "Money! •! ■' "Dress!" Just let her hear you snort. We'll solve the ftishion problem- if we only "keep 'em> short!" • v - r . • — E. A.