OUR “WINGLESS” BIRD

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 164, 9 April 1934, Page 10

OUR “WINGLESS” BIRD

Mr. G. B. Shaw Confesses Ignorance of the Moa DR. THACKER’S QUESTION By Telegraph.—Press Association. Clu’istchurch, April 8. Mr. George Bernard Shaw entertained half a dozen reporters and as many listeners and spectators at an impromptu levee iu the lounge of the United Service Hotel for more Ilian an hour after his arrival on Saturday afternoon. Mr. Shaw seemed to enjoy himself just as much as his audience. After his arrival he disappeared for an hour to rest, and then reappeared in the lounge. “Well, what do you want me to talk about'?” he asked as he approached the group of reporters. “What is it to be to-day •” When the talk began many others came to joiu the'party of listeners, and questions were fired at him from every direction at once. Someone asked him why he came to Christchurch. He threw back his head and laughed. “Christchurch claims to be the most intellectual city in New Zealand,” he said, “and I was most disappointed when the itinerary planned for me did not include it. However, the boat on Sunday night from Pieton was suddenly changed to Saturday, so I decided to come to Christchurch. I am sorry I could not give you more notice, because, of course, you didn’t have the chance to put up all the necessary triumphal arches and decorations!” The Moa Skeleton. An impressive voice from the audience, Dr. Thacker’s, asked : “Do you know, sir, that we have in the museum here the largest moa skeleton in the world'?” Mr, Shaw (looking surprised) : Well, no, I didn’t. I’m afraid I don’t know what a moa is 1” Dr. Thacker: It is the largest wingless 'bird in New Zealand, sir. Mr. Shaw: A wingless bird? But I don’t call a bird wingless unless it has wings. Wait a minute, though. It sounds rather like a politician to me; one of those politicians who haven’t the slightest knowledge of politics. Another questioner asked Mr. Shaw if he knew anything about Spiritualism. “I know all about Spiritualism,” Mr. Shaw replied. “I attended my first seance at the age of about six. Why. the first planchette board in Ireland was used in my parents’ home in Dublin. The man who used to work it—it wrote very well for him—afterwards went to Australia —not volutarily, though 1” The talk turned to New Zealand scenery.

“There's one, thing I noticed about about you New Zealanders,” said Mr. Shaw. “Wherever I go people say to me that they must take me to see New Zealand’s last bit of original bush. I have driven through miles and miles of It since I have been here, and each bit seems to be just as much the last and just as original as the one before. I must say, though, that it is unlike any bush I have ever seen before. The ferns and other native plants make it delightful, but I don’t like your stumped paddocks. They look like the old battlefields on the Western Front, with the tree trunks all battered and smashed and burned by shells. The Government should compel the owners to take them out. No expense should be spared for the sake of appearances.” A questioner asked what Mr. Shaw thought about vegetarianism. “Of course the difficulty is these sheep!” Mr. Shaw replied. “If only they would be content to take the wool off them and leave the meat it would be quite easy.” “But.you can’t eat wool, sir!” remarked an aggrieved voice, and Mr. Shaw joined in the laughter. Used to the Limelight. “Have you enjoyed the very strong New Zealand limelight into which you have been thrust'?” be was asked. “Ob, I’m used to it,” Mr. Shaw replied. “I don’t mind it.” • While he had been talking one of the group had been making a pencil sketch of his head and shoulders, and when the artist handed it over to him Mr. Shaw said: “Oh, well, I suppose I’m like that, but there was a time when artists could make me quite handsome” Talking of caricaturists, Mr. Shaw told a story against himself about David Low, the New Zealand caricaturist, now iu London. “Low did a caricature of me one day,” he said, “and I thought it was nothing like me. . I may say I told him so. A few days later I was at a reception at Lady Astor’s house, and on entering a room full of people I saw a figure and at once exclaimed to myself: ‘Now, there is a chap who is exactly like Low’s study of me.’ I went toward the figure and found I was walking up to a huge mirror!” A Questioner: What do you think of New Zealand girls'? Mr. Shaw: Oh, well, I’m too old to be a judge of that. I find them very good looking—indeed, better looking than the average English or Continental girl. They are happy and cheerful, too. That seems to be characteristic of your New Zealanders. Even you reporters, who—Heaven knows!—have not much reason to be happy, look cheerful enough, and (this with a smile) you all seem to be quite sober too!”