LOCAL GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 21 September 1929, Page 1 (Supplement)

LOCAL GOSSIP.

BV MEKCUTIO

Vridny of last week the 13th of t)in month, it certainly was hard on the, lady who found that her berth ou the Main Trunk express, though numbered ]2-\ was really 13. Thoso least inclined to superstition can feel an impulse of sympathy for her dismay, ami understand in seeking to chango her berth. Tho cumulative' ill omens were really too much. Why, she might have lost her tooth brush, or anything might havo happened. It. is a transparent device the department follows by using the number 12A, for berth 13 is berth 13, whatever it may be called. Still it probably satisfies most people, especially if they arc not very observant, There are all 'sorts of ways of taking these things. Ji is supposed to bo unlucky to walk tinder » ladder. It is a thing to avoid doing anyway, especially it it is not very securely propped, or if tliero is u man aloft with a paint pot. To get a spot cr tW" of paint on a nice new spring suit vrould be very unlucky indeed, and a complete justification of the folly of taking. - needless risks. Apart from tho fear of 13, there is a basis of common sense beneath many current beliefs. They say it is unlucky to break a mirror. So it is, because you have to buy a new one or else go without, and in that event you might cut vourself while shaving or do ell kinds of unfortunate things. Similarly it is believed to bo an ill-omened act to kill a cat, this, no doubt, being a survival from tho belief in witches, for a cat was always supposed to bo tho familiar of tho witch. It is an uncanny beast anyway, tho domestic cat, and the idea of killing one in cold blood is revolting : also it."is not an easy job, as anyone who has tried speedily realises. _ So one might go on down the list, but it is quite unnecessary. I hose who believe in these / omens of ill simply believe, l'hov need no reasons to support their attitude and will listen to no arguments to tho contrary, besides this is the age of reason. Tho 12A on tho sleeping berth proves it.

Another injustice to the ladies, even 5n these, advanced days of feminism! Ihe Government will not pay the promised £25 bonus in respect of lady members of air clubs who qualify for pilots' licences. This carries the nasty inference that lady members are considered to be flighty enough already without any artificial encouragement. But it is not so, really. The reason is moso practical and less uncallant. Tho subsidy is paid, no doubt, with tho idea that t.lio State may sumo day need pilots ablo to go aloft and handle a piano in limes of national emergency However advanced tho feminist theory itiay be, British communities at least do not contemplate employing tvomen on such grim and sinister duties.

An observant motorist from Otago, who has been touring tho Nrwrth Island, for the broadening of his mind and the increase of/his contentment when he returns to Otago, has noticed that ill tho Auckland Province all roads lead to Auckland; *ll road signs, moreover, announce tho fart ..plainlv. . Quit? righi. 6o they do auci they noma vfb.s like that too, and though there were many things about aa'cieut Home not suitable for reproduction nowadays, the tendency to bo tho hub of the universe is ono that Auckland can very well copy. Tho only point where- tlie system migtit bo improved is that the Auckland Province should not necessarily be the limit. Having regard <o the true centre of gravity of New Zealand, road signs at, say, the Bluff, might begin to point tho way to Auckland, with a brief statement of the number of miles separating the traveller from that most desirable/ goal. The energetic A.A.A. ought to take this matter in hand. »o doubt all tho~other associations would be pleased to co-operate.

Auckland has just celebrated what is, in effect, ,her 89th birthday. It isappropriate in the circumstances to offer the old lady the best of good wishes on this happy occasion. This can bo done with full confidence that there will be many happy returns, for there is rio doubt of hor topping the century, no possible, probablo shadow of doubt. It should bo an article of faith with all good Aucklanders—all Aucklanders are good, but some are better than others—that tiie city will g... from strength to strength, adding ono cubit after another to her stature, until the citizen of a hundred years or bo hence/ will look back with pride on a , long vista of years, each one crowned ' with more distinction than the one before. Aucklanders should be instinct with civic pride. They, have ample justification. It is true tjiere aro a few things that might bo changed for tho better. Nobody need seek far before finding them. If your next door neighbour is not ready to tell you how the management of the place is a tragic farce, how the rates are too high, tho services too few, the transport facilities a positive disgrace, the traffic management not good enough for a village, and all the other complimentary things so often said by those who are really responsible for it all, your next door neighbour but one certainly will be. In spite of everything thero is much that the Aucklander can regard with absolutely legitimate pride. Nature has provided a pood deal of ii, but man, seeing that his efforts have been spread over a mere 89 yea-s, has done a bit too. Anyono who fears his pride may be sinful can go Straight to scripture, take out his quotation direct and claim to be a citizen of no mean citv.

The Transport Board lias just been tlhown hdw much trouble can bo caused t)y proposals contemplated with the very best intentions. It decided to do a kindness to those members of the travelling public who have to rely on tramcars. bv erecting shelters for their protection at Certain stopping places. Ono was in front of the Chief Post Office. Immediately there came a departmental objection on tv.o grounds, that congestion would bn caused, and that the architectural features of the post office would bo Obscmed. Certainly it is diflicult enough t-o got by the post office at busy times now, without any more obstructions being placed in the way. The first plea, therelore, hn'n pass. As for the architectural features being obscured, plenty of people Would say it would be a very good job if they wore. That i 3 purely a matter of opinion, and opinions about architectural worth vary as often and as violently as about any subject under the Sun. It i:i not wise, therefore, to dogmatise. It may bo said, merely in passing, that few overseas vis 1 tors with experience of the Doge's Palace, or \ork Minster stand awestruck in front of the Chief Post Office. Another shelter was planned for the corner of Kliyber Pass and Mountain Road, a place visibly as wet as any in Auckland. Concerning this the City Council objected and motorists protested. Ono member of the board suggested that members had better decide the question by meeting on the spot. That might be helpful, but would be risky. When members of a public body fro detected meeting in front of a brewery, their purpose is apt to be misunderstood. With all the difficulties and objections the board found it impossible to do anything, in the meantime at any Tato. Which means that tramway patterns must go unsheltered. It is indeed unfortunate that to do a kind action •hould provo so difficult.