NOTES BY THE WAY

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 3445, 19 March 1932, Page 5

NOTES BY THE WAY

(By Rambler). Visitors to Sydney to-day will realise that the town has a Bridge of Size; in time to come the residents may realise that it is a Bridge of Sighs. .'* - .--•'■■'••''- %.

I suppose we are responsible for the members we elect -to Parliament for they get there by a "popular" vote, but after the scene in the House in the early hours of yesterday morning, it is time that we at least pick our legislators from men with some instincts of decency.

Japan states that her aims in the East are of a pacific nature. Uncle Sam is of the same opinion but spells Pacific with a capital "P."

It is reported that Sir Samuel Hoare, Secretary of State for India, has in recent years become a brilliant figure skater. Evidently Sir Samuel believes in looking ahead, and being prepared for any contingency.

"The value of the available water power for hydro-electric development in New Zealand is placed on a capital basis of £200,000,000, and with such potential wealth one can readily grasp the prospects of future prosperity for the Dominion," said Mr. Richard Wedderspoon, speaking at the weekly luncheon of the Wanganui Rotary Club. It is to be hoped that this estimate does not include too many Arapunis.' . L

When asked in the House whether he intended to adopt the recommendations of the National Expenditure Commission, Mr. Forbes . replied: "Some parts." I wonder what mem-r bers of the Commission think of this reply?

"I wish my wife would not live beyond our means." .;' "Why does she do it?' ? • "Just to impress the Millers, who live beyond their means just to impress us."

This little story gives one an idea of what causes the race, for armaments.

It is reported that owing to outbreaks in Manchuria, Japanese and Chinese officials are fleeing over the border. It might be a happy omen for peace that the Japs and Chinese are agreed on one thing at least.

The Sydney Bridge, which was opened to-day, cost nine and a half millions, the original price being just over five millions, so someone should be able to retire over this folly. It is estimated that 1500 people have travelled from New Zealand to be at the opening. Taking the expenditure of each at £SO, this Dominion is paying £75,000 towards the cost of the Bridge.

Seeing that there is so much talk about art unions, I have a suggestion. Why not inaugurate State art unions, and make it compulsory for everyone on the electoral rolls to take a ticket? This would help to depopularise such means of raising money, in the same way as the income tax,,which is supposed to give a return in some sort of public service to every individual, though this is doubted in many quarters. Anyone is at liberty to forward the suggestion to George Forbes, as I am not fond of too much publicity.

Was that Lindbergh baby stole'n? There have been so many contradictions over the affair and so many big headlines in the American papers that it would seem the "yellow" press of the country of sensations is going to the extreme in trying to get copy. It is only from a country like America that a suggestion should come that Al Capone -should be allowed his liberty for a term tb.-hunt for the baby. Indeed, it is questionable whether this notorious gangster is in the clink.

The recent hot weather has resulted in the fly pest becoming more prevalent, and even police courts are not immune from the undesirable presence of this insect, which was responsible for a slight interruption to the even tenor of business in the local court this week. During the hearing of a case full of technicalities appertaining to the motor industry, counsel for one of the parties was about half-way through a complicated question Which he was asking one of the witnesses, when a large fly settled on his cheek. The stuffy atmosphere of the court and this added distraction had a disastrous effect on the technicalities inyolved, and the necessity for repeating the question gave the witness a little longer to formulate an appropriate reply.

In a small town in the country there was a lad who had the reputation of not being very bright. People there had fun with him several times a day by placing a new, halfpenny and an old penny in the open palm of his hand, and telling him to take his pick of the two. In every case the lad would pick up .the bright halfpenny, and then the crowd would laugh and guffaw. A kindhearted woman asked him one day: "Don't you know the difference between a halfpenny and a penny? Don't you know that the penny is worth more than, the halfpenny? "Yes, I know," he answered, "but they wouldn't try me out on it any more if ever I took the penny." .

How easily may a fair reputation be ruined! An order for a case of beer was sent to a Christchurch brewery from a suburban resident, andtheva'n was duly despatched with the liquor. The carters found no one at home, so they proceeded to stack the beer in the cellar. Upon returning to the van they were struck by the words of two women who were regarding the van with a suspicious eye. "Fancy . a brewer's wagon outside here," remarked one. "Why, the 's are strict teetotallers!" "Oh," sniffed the other, "you never know who's who nowadays." It was then the carters consulted the docket and found that the beer should have been delivered to the house on the opposite side of the road!