LOCAL GOSSIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21248, 30 July 1932, Page 1 (Supplement)

LOCAL GOSSIP

BY MERCUTIO

Wool flock has been proved by experiment to be 'a very suitable material for insulating electric water heaters. Tho temperature drop over a given period was proved to be much less with flock than when p" m ' ce was usec -' f° r insulation. Considering that the date when sheep were first domesticated is lost in the mists of time, considering that wool has been ruthlessly clipped from the uncomplaining 'animals throjugh all those centuries, it is rather surprising that its warmth-retaining properties should only now be discovered bv experiment. Of course electric water heaters 010 not so very old, so perhTTps the delay can be explained that way. Arguing from the water heaters, it can prob- ! . ! ably be established without difficulty, or uncomfortable experiment, that wool would bp a more successful material for underyests, m this cold weather, than pumice rould hope to be. After all, if the flock „ functions so successfully, fleece wool may have its uses too. Since they talk of / employing it for road making purposes, there's no reason why it should not be used also for wrapping water beaters and human beings. A certain amount of comment has followed a phrase penned by the cable service correspondent at Ottawa about the jmmaculatfe attire of Mr. Bruce and Mr. Coates. These two, perfectly dressed and groomed / not a button out of place, not a spat missing, seem to have impressed him very much. But, after all, why shouldn't they be immaculate ? True, they had both journeyed a long way to reach Ottawa, but there was no real reason why they should appear travel-stained or crumpled. True, also, they were both primed to say Ia good deal about the hard times ruling in their respective countries, but many a perfectly-creased pair of trousers is equipped with empty pockets these days. It used to be said that only a duke or a millionaire could afford to appear shabby in Bond Street. On that basis both Mr. Bruce and Mr. Coates, as representing I heir countries, obviously should have Deen v<;ry well dressed indeed. Reports from Ottawa tell us that the Dominions' representatives agreed upon a joint case regarding the meat proposals. And what proposals could more fittingly be Vhe subject of a joint case ? / When the normal and decorous quiet of the Supreme Court at Blenheim was disturbed the other day by unexpected creakings and rustlings the orderly 6houted " Silence." But the earthquake refused to be silenced. The majesty of the law was ineffective in face of the unleashed forpes of nature. It is nothing ' v new for human authority to be proved futile in such circumstances, as the old, old story of King Canute and the rising tide proves. No doubt it is an excellent story and points a useful moral. It is much more elevating and instructive from that than tile, equally famous Rtory of King Alfred and the cakes; probably!it is equally untrue, for historians are accused of having asserted that the Alfred yarn was quite without foundation. But excellent as the lesson of the Canute anecdote may be, one cannot help feeling that the good king was a moralising old bore who could have snubbed his courtiers equally well by simply telling them to come off the roof, or by using some contemporary phrase of equal point and elegance. He would have escaped getting his feet wet, also. As a matter of fact the whole business probably began, if it ever happened, with some bright courtier betting he would have the king wet-footed within 24 hours. But this is carrying the discussion a long way from Blenheim and • the earthquake. That incident recalls the occasion some years ago, when a mild Wellington shock disturbed the proceedings of the House of Representatives. Somebody had the presence of mind to murmur: "What can you expect with a Government like this ?" ! The infection of the mystery train has spread to this country, and so far as is known at present Canterbury is to be favoured with the first specimen. A party will set out, not knowing where or when the train will stop —it is a tribute to the New Zealand railways that these are regarded as exceptional circumstances — will disembark, and be conducted by guides to an unknown destination, where the train will be rejoined. It is all in tune with the best methods of modern tramping—a much nicer word than hiking, despite the propaganda in the latter's favour-f-and seems to present all kinds of exciting possibilities. There are so many things to happen. Suppose, for instance, the guide or guides lose the way and the expedition develops into a real mystery! Then, again, New Zealand weather at this time of the year can introduce all kinds of uncounted factors into the affair. Its influence might' transform the mystery into misery without difficulty or delay. But to the true dyed in the wool tramper these should be added fascinations. After all, most outdoor recreation —apart from lying in a hammock with the latest thriller — re.iolves itself into making oneself excessively uncomfortable and calling it pleasure. So the mystery train scheme is capable of being perfectly in character. If you ask " What's in a name?" you have the authority of Shakespeare behind you. Yet, with all due deference to its weight, there is a great deal in a name sometimes, as is indicated by the proverb about what to do with a dog if he is given a bad' one. Take this scheme for putting unemployed men on the land in circumstances such that they should lie able to produce a certain amount of food for their own sustenance and pick up work enough to bridge the remaining gap: in fact, live as thousands of pioneers lived in years gone by. It has been called the ten-acre scheme, which serves well enough, it has also been called feudal' 1 "i ant! peonage and serfdom by people who. ,y don't, intend to bo friendly toward it. 1 hi* is no time or place to argue about their motives or their goodwill. The immediate object is to pass on to another descriptive phrase that lias appeared, the cottage and cowshed scheme. Tt is applied hi quite a friendly way, but it is not the roost fortunate label that could have been found, because it seems to offer incentive and inspiration to folk who are looking for other labels that will not appear favourable. Somehow the close association of cottage and cowshed brings up a picture of the two absolutely side by side; and, however admirable an animal the •'ow may be, nobody who knows her wants her as a stable mate. Besides, how long before someone tries to improve the term by making it cottage and pigsty ? Why leave all the imaginative effort to the adverse critics. Why not try " cottage find flower garden." for instance, and give the scheme a lift along with a good label 2