The Wandering Pen

Northland Age, Volume 5, Issue 24, 13 March 1936, Page 1

The Wandering Pen

Valentine Day is no longer of importance. Gaudily painted pictures of young damsels addressing themselves to turtle-doves, and of young men wilting on the greensward over miniatures of their lady loves have gone out of fashion. Messages like the following, worked on ' vellum with ornate floral designs, have ceased to be familiar: “Emblem of affection kind Pledge of my regard for thee May it raise thy love for me” But we have our modern Valentine, It possesses glass windows, the design follows the straight lines of modern architecture, and the message is invariable — “a/c rendered”. ■ * * * This leads us by progressive steps to the debate on ancient and modern chivalry shortly to be undertaken by the Women’s Division. It would be grossly unfair to favour either side before the cebate takes place, but the contestants need not spend many hours perusing the tomes in the public library. It would he much easier and equally effective to stroll along Commerce Street about 7.45 on a Saturday evening. u * * * * Many and varied ere the changes of modern times, but rumour still persists with unrelenting vigour. ” » * * * A spirit of public service and communal well-being leads to the refutation of the following, which on investigation have been proved to have no foundation in fact:— That the circulation of the “Age” int creased considerably after the printed r assertion that “the weather was all that could be desired except that it was too hot.” That the Dramatic Society lost one of its members in the very long grass around the Parish hall. That the section between Princess Theatre and adjoining shops is to he cleaned up. That the Olympic Sports are to be held in Sunray Park in 1938. That a well known resident of Fairburn left that locality because he was not appointed Harbour-master there. That the Beautifying Society has acquired a controlling interest in Hancock and Co. That telephone boxes are to he installed at intervals of a chain along the ninety mile beach. That the Vickers Wildebeeste Military bomber iB to be used as an ambulance plying between Kaitaia and Auckland. That new offices for the Dairy Company are to be erected in ferro concrete in Spanish style with palm courts and nirwlorii millr-Kni*

That the proceedings of the County Council, Town Board. Church committees and Johnston’s Corner Harbour Board are to be relayed through IYA. Thai the athletic events at the A. and P. show were an outstanding success. That steps are being taken to indicate roads under repair, and detours for the convenience of motorists. There is not a vestige of truth in the toregoing rumours. n * * * There are nearly 600 registered unemployed in the county, and it is anticipated that owing to promised increases in relief pay rates and shorter working hours this number will be increased in the near future. It is expected that many farmers will relinquish their properties for this more lucrative and leisurely form of employment, and that cut-throat competition in business will be considerably reduced as prominent business people are contemplating registration. * * * * The minds of the members of the Chamber of Commerce are exercised as to the best method of entertaining the delegates to the forthcoming conference of Chambers of Commerce which is to be held in Kaitaia. It has not been posssible for the people responsible for the side shows at the A. and P. show, to prolong their stay for the entertainment of the delegates. In any case as these people do not possess a 'merry-go round’, and as the difficulties and expense in procuring one elsewhere are great, the project has been abandoned. It has now been suggested that in the event of the revival of the Aero Club, their glider might be requisitioned, and if it be possible to transport the glider to the top of Ahipara hill, delegates could be entertained in flights to the beach. It has been ascertained that the ship’s boiler reposing on the bank of the Awanui river is altogether unsuitable for supplying any propelling power for the glider. The Drainage Board’s dredge has not been overlooked by the Chamber. Free rides on the dredge to places of interest were contemplated, but on inspection the dredge was found to he in an advanced stage of disintegration. s * * * The international situation has become much easier during the past few days. There are indications that Italy is now demonstrating a very distinct desire for peace. This is attributed by responsible quarters to two factors at least (1) The rapid transit of news by radio. (2) That local units of the Territorial Force have gone to camp. In the event of peace being proclaimed in a day or two a public meeting of citizens will be convened to welcome home