“Strewelpeter” Replies

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 95, 16 January 1935, Page 11

“Strewelpeter” Replies

Sir,-—I have just had a good haircut. This was not at a saloon (dreadful word!) that I had not tried before, but at the self-same place that prompted me to write my original letter. The appointments are still the same, naturally, but the whole atmosphere has brightened up considerably, and somehow it all looks very much cleaner. 1 was given a welcome almost bordering on enthusiasm (not being known as “Strewelpeter 1”), and my hair has been cut well.

It would appear, therefore, that the recent correspondence in your columns his had, some good effect, and that while hitting back at my rude and allegedly unjustifiable criticisms, our tonsorial friends have given the matter a certain amount of quiet thought. I am not going to reply to the numerous letters casting aspersions on my psychology and general mental outlook, except to remind “Dig.” whose letter appeared this morning, that “homely youths have even homely wits,” and that in. the interests of further advancement and achievement his “colonial homeliness”, may not be altogether a good thing. While it admittedly presupposes steadiness, it also leaves one with an impression of armchair sitting and thumb twirling. Well, Mr. Editor, it has been good of you to throw open your columns to the debate of a comparatively trivial affair, but it has apparently done a certain amount, of good., and shown that there is still a little sparkle left in the place. So far as I am concerned, this correspondence is'now definitely closed. —I am, etc., STREWELPETER. Wellington, January 15.