PERSONALITY OF THE WEEK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 147, 23 June 1934, Page 8

PERSONALITY OF THE WEEK.

He who knows Eden Park knows John Henry. Who knows John Henry Watts knows a man who says he is young in heart and spirit at the age of sixtyNO. 440. two years, mainly because

young people play games. Mixing with young people who play games keeps, the riper grain young, too. Mr. -Watts, who nowadays is head of a city sports depot, was born in this city and was, after schooldays, in the Government Post and Telegraph service for thirty-seven years. Has been addicted to cricket, boxing and football all his life—and played cricket for the old United Club. Was secretary of the Auckland Cricket Association for fifteen years aiul treasurer for ten. lie continues to watch the income and outcome in a skilled manner to date. Mr. Watts h;is been secretary of the Auckland Boxing Association, but lias recently resigned. There are three Watts boys and 'two Watte girls—the hoys play football and hockey. Father went to Australia to see a Test match when lie was twenty-one and has played (or watched) some kind of field sport (or ring play) weekly ever since. On innumerable occasions lie has travelled South as manager of hopeful cricket sides. And he smiles happily.

The young follow hold an excellent strip of photographs delineating the features of new Legislative Councillors. ITU moving finger stopped at the picture of THE CANARD, a relatively young and handsome mail, and he said, "He used to l»o a reporter, so dad tells me; in Sneddon's day (there was a bloke named Soddon. wasn't there?),'and there was something important going. on in the House of Parliament, ami the newspaper blokes wasn't allowed in, so'as the newspaper jokers couldn't print nothink about it, you see? Well, this reporter cove climbs up ill the roof of the Parliament, listens at the skylight, and takes a note (in shorthand) and publishes everyt.hink .in the paper what lie worked for." The listener politely inferred that it was probably a canard and that if a reporter climbed up in the roof, and if' he had taken a note ami if lie had handed a committee yarn to his paper, his paper wouldn't publish it. "But I tell you he did!" said the you'ng fellow. "Who toid you?" asked Didynnis the Doubter. "Me father told me," said Young Trustful.

Time has been when the current Prince of Wales was a rare spectacle. Time is when the Prince of' Wales can 110 longer hide from the millions- of his Royal ICH DIEN. father's subjects. Goodness only knows that the modest man whose birthday we celebrate is naturally inclined to steal quietly away to be just a pleasant mediocrity, but the ocean liner, the aeroplane, the cinema, the radio—and particularly the newspaper-—have made the Prince the property, of the Empire as well as the longed-for spectacle of the nations—an ambassador of kindness, of commerce, of friendship. If you could revivify the Black Prince and set him amidst the whirl of publicity, whose methods are here enumerated, ■he would probably bolt and liidc. The courage of the retiring young man who faces the millions when lie would rather be twanging a ■banjo or playing draughts, exceeds that of any predecessor. In New Zealand we have had the advantage of seeing the Prince because modern inventions designed the possibility. We have seen him nervously fingering his tie before, a great and solemn audience, behaving itself with remarkable restraint. Have watched him being driven through cheering crowds held up by the corrective hand of his stall' admiral, the cynosure of all eyes and the darling of the communal Jane—the- beloved bachelor of the nations. Therefore you must ,aive that great marvel Publicity much of the credit. It occurs to one that if the great god Publicity insists on change for princes, old habit persists in spite of all. We sing the same "God Bless the Prince of Wales" for grandfather and for grandson as if both them and all their predecessors were as like as peas—-whereas they have all been as unlike as day and night. You find the habit, too, in the matter of kings. Does the Poet Laureate set about a vocal tribute to the reigning King himself? Not at all—the same expression of loyalty does for each and his successors. One dares to wonder sometimes if the same sentiments and the same words that used to do for the great Queen should remain unaltered in these days of change.

THOUGHTS FOR TO-DAY. Meeting what must be is halt" commanding it.—Leigh Hunt. No pain, no palm; no thorns, 710 throne; no gall, 110 glory; 110 cross, 110 crown.—William Pen 11. Prevention is the Lest bridle.—Fcltharu.