AUCKLAND LETTER

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 June 1922, Page 8

AUCKLAND LETTER

THE CHEERIO CAMPAIGN.

(Own Correspondent.)

AUCKLAND, June 9.

The opening of “The Better Times Campaign” was celebrated a few mornings ago by the shrieking of syrens and the ringing of bells, the uproar being perfectly deafening. In fact, Auckland has experienced nothing like it since the signing of the Armistice. The same day both the morning and evening papers published huge advertisements by business firms—whole page ads. in many cases —descriptive of •the bargains on sale, and all with glaring headlines, to the effect that the cluods were rolling by, that there was a good time coming, that the barometer was rising, that we had turned the corner, that it was a poor heart that never rejoiced, etc., etc. Whether these optimistic assurances were wholy justified I will leave others to decide. The papers must have benefited to a considerable extent anyhow, and thus the truth of the adage that it’s an ill wind that blows no good to anyone was once more exemplified. NOT A PROHIB. v The only funny incident in connection wifh the arrival at Auckland of the Katoa on Saturday afternoon with the shipwrecked mariners aboard from the Barrier, was the dialogue between a burly but somewhat battered sailor and a policeman. As the relief steamer was berthing the mariner on the ship hailed the constable on the wharf with: “Say, matey, what time do the pubs close here?” “Six o’clock sharp!” said Robert, adding significantly, “but that will be alright” The crowd yelled ■ When one remembers the rough time the Wiltshire’s men went through, before, during, and after their rescue, one can understand the anxiety of that sailor as to the prospect of obtaining “a modest quencher” after getting

g asnore. DISTINGUISHED SPIRITS u t ’ At a recent seance which took place in 11 the somewhat srnellfui’ Newton district, the spirits of three celebrities put in an ’’ appearance. The first to “manifest” him--elf was W. ’l'. Stead, who perished in the 1_ wreck of the Titanic, the second was Prolessor Crookes, the eminent scientist, and ,e the third was the famous Tolstoy. The two first-mentioned had very little to say L for themselves, only two words, in fact—“good evening,” after which they vanishl- ed. Tolstoy remarked, “Oh, my unhappy q country!” and immediately followed Messrs Stead and Crookes. The remark- . able thing in connection with the appeare ance of these distinguished persons on this r occasion was that they all spoke with a q very pronounced American accent. It is also worthy of note that the medium—a 1_ * , lady—hails from the land of the stars and stripes. Admission to this lady’s seances costs half-a-guinea, I believe. Personally, l ’ I would rather have the money. d >’ THE DEADLY MOTOR. r e Writing to the evening paper the other . night Mr Walter J. Tiby hit the right nail s on the head with a bang that ought to have attracted general attention. “In the last six months,” says this gentleman, “I , have seen more people killed by being run ? down by motors than occurred in the , whole year preceding in a North American City six times the size of Auckland, and with one motor vehicle to every fourteen of the population. And why? Simply because there a motor driver must ’ pass a rigid test before becoming certificated, and also because every motor-car and all other vehicles as well, must stop not less than 20ft behind any street car • corning to a standstill.” Auckland is a delightful place, but not very partial to ’ taking hints. If she were she might possibly admit that even such insignificant countries as America can set examples worthy of imitation sometimes. Do our motor-drivers have to pass “a rigid test” before being granted certificates? I wonder. “TO WHAT BASE USES, Etc. I notice that a gentleman has been writing to the papers to protest against the Auckland University students calling their extravaganza “The Bulgarian Bug.” This gentleman considers it “distressing that a remedy which has brought relieflto so many should be held up to ridicule by a party of reckless students to whom nothing is sacred.” Well, there’s nothing particularly sacred about the Bulgarian Bug, so far as' I am aware. As to its remedial value, opinions differ. I have heard of cases in which it is alleged to have

benefited the consumer, and I have also heard of cases in which its use has proved the reverse of beneficial. In my own case, after 'giving it a prolonged trial under what I may call test conditions, the results were negative, and so far as I can learn that has been the experience of a good many people. of Aucklanders are known to have experimented with 8.8., and not so long ago it was a perfect craze. Latterly its voge has declined, and probably before long it will be forgotten—shelved in favour of some new fad. It’s a credulous world ! A ZOO FOR AUCKLAND. There can be but little doubt that if the people of Auckland were asked to vote on the question as to whether a zoo should or should not be established in this city the “Ayes” would have it by an overwhelming majority. In view of the great attraction such an institution would have for the children, for “grown-ups” and for visitors to the city, it seems rather extraordinary that the project should have been cold-shouldered as it has all along been by our City Fathers. Almost every city of the size of Auckland boasts its zoo, and sooner or later the force of public opinion must compel our civic authorities to consider this question. Just now the chance offer’s to secure the Onehunga collection on what would in all probability be exceptionally favourable terms. The Onehunga Zoo may be far from perfect, but Mr' Boyd’s collection would, at least form the nucleus of what might become a zoo the citizens of Auckland would be proud of. At the present lime this city although rich in picture theatres and picnic, resorts has no openlir place of amusement for the people. And. it can hardly be doubted that under oroper control a zoo if within easy reach if the city must prove a paying proposiion.