RANDOM NOTES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 264, 3 August 1929, Page 10

RANDOM NOTES

SIDELIGHTS ON CURRENT EVENTS

LOCAL AND GENERAL

<By

Cosmos.)

Scientists have found a way to attach a loudspeaker to almost everything ex» cept the still, small voice. * • •

If, ns a writer suggests, women’s sentiments are expressed by their clothes, they appear to be less sentimental than formerly.

A prominent financier says that in less than a hundred years’ time the bulk of the world’s wealth will be in the hands of women. Merf will then advance the price of silk stockings and other items of feminine apparel and get it all back again.

The City of the Vatican has opened its first birth register with the registration of the son of a man-servant of the Pope’s chamberlain. This baby is the first citizen to be born inside the walls of the new State. The little boy has been given six names, all reminiscent of conciliation. They ar* Pius, Benito, Victor Salvator, Peter, and Maria.

Many years ago a curious flag, said to have been taken from Potatau, first King of the Maoris, was sent to England. Lately it was sent back by the High Commissioner for New Zealand to Archbishop Averill, with a request that it be accepted as a gift to the Church of England in the Dominion. His Grace has now placed it on loan in the Auckland Museum. In his letter to the Archbishop, the High Commissioner stated that he had been approached by the Rev. J. S. Clementson, rector of Staplehurst, Kent, concerning the flag, which had been left to him by the Rev. A. Clementson, who went tn New Zealand in 1865, and was a curate at Ashburton. The inquirer was ignorant of the history of the flag. All the late clergyman had left was a note: “Native New Zealand flag taken from Potatau, King of the Hori Horis." The relic was then examined by Captain T. E. Donne, C.M.G., who stated that it might be the original flag, as claimed, or a relica; but in any casa it would be of historical interest in New Zealand.

The flag, which measures 20ft. by Bft., is a striking piece of work. It is made of calico, heavily bordered in black, and bears a large black cross, near which are the letters P.R.H. (or M), h.a. At the flying end is s. bins star, surmounted by a crescent moon in the same colour. Two geometrical designs, called whetu, are also inlaid. Tu Hapi and Whare Mahihi, who ar* engaged in Maori reconstruction work at the Auckland Museum, consider the flag is a token of mourning. It was probably used to drape Potatau’s coffin, or was flown at the funeral. Their interpretation of the lettering is that the “P” denotes Potatau, and the rest the family initials. The cross is ths Christian symbol, and the star and crescent the Maori evening star. Considerable doubt exists concerning the flag. For instance, the Auckland authority on Native subjects considers that the lettering is incomplete, and that the “P” does not necessarily signify Potatau. The whetu, he considers, is symbolic of the North and South Islands.

Sir Robert Baden-Powell, the Chief Scout, and head of the International Boy Scout Jamboree, now being held in England, has led a life of adventure as exciting as that of Colonel Lawrence. Many are the countries In which he has acted as a scout in the British Secret Service, and wonderful has been his success. As far back as 1909, h© was able to recount to British officers the extent of Germany’s plans for her invasion of Britain, and to tell them privately the arrangements which had been made in Germany for that event. Nor was that the sum of what he had to say. He related the place where they Intended to land their forces, and what they intended to do on reaching England. News of what he had said travelled to Germany, and a swarm of letters came in return, abusing him for his disclosures. A quotation from one of them reads: “You are a brownpaper general, and if you think that by your foolish talk you can stop us from coming you are not right.” That, at any rate, proved the accuracy of hit! information. • • • Baden-Powell was a master of the art of making secret plans. Immediately he had mapped out a position, he incorporated it into some sketch where it was only apparent to those who knew the key which he had employed At one time he drew a fort, noting the calibre, position, and nature of the guns. Then he concealed it in the markings of a butterfly s wings. On another occasion, a shaded iyy-leaf conveyed the information that in the neighbourhood of a certain fort there were patches of ground which were immune from the tire delivered from the fort, and in which the geographical configuration of the earth allowed men to be mustered in safety. Sitting down to draw a fort which was surrounded by a triangular ditch, he plotted Hie positions of the machine-guns, .he howitzers, quick-firing, disappearing guns, and the size of the other cannon, and he did not neglect the searchlight with which the position was equipped. When he hail finished, those viewing the work saw a stained glass window, depicting heraldic arms, and complete with motto and crest. AS ALWAYS. Fig leaves, O fig leaves One day Eve would pick thee And make herself a confection, Loose at the waist. Tight over the hips. Difficult to walk in. Then, paradi. g proudly. She would say to Adam: -Isn’t that the very latest?” And Adam, who was toilfully Making himself a spade, Would say. dutifully: “I’m-lim 1” Fig leaves, O fig leaves! Anot her day Eve would pluck thed And devise a dernier cri Tight at the waist, Bouffant over the hips. And ending at the knees. Then, swaying stylishly, She would cry to Adam: “Some frock, isn’t It?” Ami Adam, who was anxiously Shaping a sword. Would say. obediently: “Um-hm 1” —Selected by a read*®.