LOCAL GOSSIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21716, 3 February 1934, Page 1 (Supplement)

LOCAL GOSSIP

BY MERCUTIO

In his capacity as chief of the NgaiTahu tribe Mr. D. G. Sullivan, M.P., Mayor of Christchurch, ex-journalist and so on, is coming to Waitangi, the invitation advising him to leave his pakeha designations behind. We may •thus hear of the arrival at the Bay of Islands of Raniera Harawene. the notable South Island warrior who never smelled printer's ink and always needs an interpreter. But would the Labour Party really approve of their redoubtable Dan forgetting for the time being his political faith. One has the suspicion of an idea that not a single pakeha politician who attends the celebrations would wish the visiting Maoris •to overlook their chief pakeha designation. No one, of course, would be so selfish in mind as to think about votes on such an occasion, yet It will not help the Nelson business nan whose week's takings of £IOO in banknotes were baked to a cinder in the kitchen oven, to learn that the new notes of the Reserve Bank are to appear next August. Unless, of course, his loss inspires the bank authorities to issue Tisbestos notes. That idea might also solve the problem of taking riches into the next world. Meanwhile the man has lost his £IOO, unless Major Douglas can suggest something. No doubt they have heard of social credit in Nelson, but the trouble is to make it negotiable. Meanwhile, with all these new sixpences and half-crowns circulating, and more fascinating designs to follow, the question is what new designs and colour schemes can be provided for the Reserve Bank notes. One colour, it is understood, will not be used on the backs, and that is green. Reports from Waitangi speak of the great good humour of the Maori tribes in camp at Ti Point. Even during a ceremonial welcome, including mourning chants for departed Te Kao natives, the occasion was not allowed to become solemn or gloomy. Much banter was offered by the onlookers and no one was offended. It is the happy-go-lucky philosophy of the Maoris and their lack of self-consciousness that is their chief charm. The pakeha New Zealander would be improved if more of these qualities were incorporated in his disposition. He is not good at forgetting himself, casting care aside and living in the moment. Two, full moons in a month is made a matter of remark. That's nothing. On New Year's Eve a gentleman of Scottish extraction saw three, so he said. But he did not consider that to be a very remarkable phenomenon. The same thing has occurred on every New Year's Eve since he enjoyed what he calls personal freedom. Och, aye. "That was a jolly good speech, though I didn't understand a word you said. Thus a visiting politician who learned the English language in the iandof heather,- quoted again the words of praise bestowed upon him by his party leader after he had made a slashing attack upon an adversary in an august Assembly across the Tasman. " I was excited at the time," he said, " and I am afraid I had reverted from my carefully acquired Australian to the speech of my schooldays." He need have made no apology for the occurrence. Words are futile things when it comes to self-expression. Ail that is necessary is sound. _ Nobody confronted with a growling tiger, for instance, could fail to mistake the meaning. And all that is implied in the aspirations of the income tax collector is contained in the simple note of a postman's whistle. Befcause a bee stung the driver of a car there was a minor accident and because of this minor accident a ] cricket match in the country had to be abandoned. Doubtless, because the cricket match was abandoned th'ere was a long "series of other consequences, which all goes to show the truth of the jingle which tells how a battle was lost because a nail came out of a hctse's shoe. It is really horrifying to reflect upon the possible consequences of every trivial mishap of the day. Because of a lost minute a train might be missed and a" potential husband allowed to escape. But on the other hand a girl may have reason to render thanks all her days that she did not catch the train and meet the man and make the match that might have misfired.

There is magic in the name Discovery, borne bv the vessel which has reached Auckland once more after venturing where the tourist fears to tread. To call her Discovery 11., which would seem to be more correct, is to spoil the flavour of the name, but there is compensation to the ear in the phrase that still more fittingly designates her, " Royal research ship Discovery II." It is, of course, nothing new to find a vessel which is the second or third of her line, and this perpetration of a name sometimes goes on even more frequently than that. Not always is it followed by a distinctive numeral. While the Discovery 11. has been searching Antarctic waters in order to find out all about whale food, no doubt much excitement has come her way, for the sea is ever the sea —an antagonist not to be lightly despiSed. In days of war another vessel, the name of "which aho was not improved by the addition of a numeral, was engaged in a search of the sea. She was the Princess Mary IV., and her quarry was enemy mines. It was an enemy mine that sealed her fate, and she found a last resting place on a beach known to soldiers who fought at Anzac. But, mines or whale food, the real combat of any ship which ventures forth upon the deep waters is with the sea. or peace, the struggle goes ceaselessly on. \ It has yet to be explained why, in disposing of one of Auckland's four polar bears, the only female should have been sold. From now on it will be a case of all being boy 3 together in the polar bear pond. The attractions—and distractions —of female society will be no more in the imitation Arctic den, perhaps because polar bears are notoriously sharp-tempered. One girl among three boys possibly did not mako for harmony, but if human experience is any/guide, it would be paradise compared with one girl among two boys. Narrow the rivalry and you increase the bitterness. Again, going on human experience, the three males should rub fllong very happily. No doubt there will be some unholy but entirely friendly rows. Everyone thinks of buck or stag parties as most amiable affairs, and men's camps are regarded as splendid occasions. On the other hand, the reports of the great goodfellowship said to rule in women's camps are received with polite reservations. There is not the same enthusiasm for hen parties. It is not easy to say why it should and perhaps inadvisable to look too closely into the matter. But probably the zoo authorities knew their polar bears when they sold off the only lady to Adelaide.