POOR MR PUNCH!

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17981, 26 January 1924, Page 2

POOR MR PUNCH!

TO THE EDITOR OP "THE FBEBS." Sir,—For some time past Ihave been greatly impressed with tlio large flow of wit and htunour which is continuously at large among the people of New Zealand, and have lately become very impatient that> no steps have been taken,, either Vy our Progress League or our educational authorities, to harness this valuable flow in some way, so that its essonce, "at any rate, may be tised in such a way that it will no longer be confinod to these favoured chores, but will givo delight and enteraiiinieut to the uiujioiis uz our less for curtate Kinsmen abroad. ..Undoubtedly »r o | iT"i , o is vnnt-ly °ur>rrior to 1 of the Old Country. Tliero as a freshness about it which is reflec'tod in the people's wayß, and also in their lively wit. No doubt "Mr Punchy" as servo, out weekly to his numerous readers, has becomo a national institution, but I am of opinion that at this time of day his pages would be greatly enlivened if some of the perfectly natural flow of bright and sparkling sayings heard daily in home, office, or business circles, anywhere in New Zealand, appeared in that journal in due course. It is,. ati?any rate, my luck to hear many remarkable outbursts, and on such occasions I am often heard to ejaculate: "Poor Mr Punch!" by which I mean that I am pitying the editor that he is missing such striking wit. I would commend my suggestion to those whom it may concern. Some years ago one of 'the proprietors of "Punch" (Mr Agnew, I think) visited , New- Zealand, and remarked to someone here that New Zealanders who had the necessary talent should send contributions to the world-famed London Charivari. Perhaps, like me, he was struck with what he had listened to.—Yours, etc., H.B.