LOCAL GOSSIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23375, 17 June 1939, Page 4 (Supplement)

LOCAL GOSSIP

By MERCUTIO =

All Else Sober THE plans Mr. Seinple has in hand to widen the separation between liquor and motor driving have been described as an effort to tighten control. Only the control is to be tight if Mr. Scrnple has his way. The Greater Surprise There is a suburban milkman with cause to be an enthusiastic supporter of the city's bold campaign for the annihilation of its rodent population. In the dim hours before dawn he was delivering the customary pint to a city home when he stepped on a running rat. Both were r undoubtedly surprised, but, while the rat scampered off unhurt, the milkman fell heavily and suffered a broken ankle.

Out of Place The appearance of a live trout, a foot long, in one of the street channels in the business area of Ashburton seems to have caused surprise. Apparently it was felt he had no business there.

Rats and Statistics The much despised rat. has been having a bad time of it in Auckland this week and we are now awaiting the result of the counting of the scalps—or tails. The rodents are responsible for quite impressive statistics at times. For instance, in 19.% it was calculated that in the sugar cane fields and surrounding localities of Queensland rats abounded to (he tune of 69,000,000. Jt was not recorded who made the count. Then, a couple of years ago, it was estimated that Auckland had 211.91 it rats —one for each person. A nice way, of course, of being exact. The rat has many sins to his debit, hut he is quite an interesting little creature when you get him out of the pantry cupboard and . put him on the multiplication table. Proved Ancestors

One result should follow the definite establishment of a roll of pioneers who arrived in Auckland between 1810 and 1852. The earliest ships will not seem, some day, to have been so crowded with ancestors as cynical Americans say the Mayflower must have been. Bishops and Their Travels

An instance of the difficulties of episcopal journeyings in the earlier days of New Zealand was mentioned by Archbishop Averijl this week. He said that when Bishop of Waiapn, he often had to cross rivers in a canoe with his horses following behind. In those days, as he might have added, he travelled many hundreds of miles on horseback over rough roads or bridletracks unworthy of the name of road. The late Archbishop Julius, who was also an expert in the saddle, frequently had to swim his horse over rivers. Bishop Selwyn thought little when travelling on foot, of strapping his clothes on his back and swimming a river. Methods of locomotion have indeed changed.

Safeguards The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church is going to make it difficult for congregations to get into debt. The idea is that no debt of more than £IOO shall be contracted unless the congregation, the Presbytery and a permanent committee in Wellington consent. Alter that, if the prospective creditor also agrees no doubt it will all be plain sailing.

On the Spot Perhaps he was a little absentminded that morning, but he still managed to stop smartly at the signal of a uniformed constable at the roadside. For a few moments he remained chatting to the man in blue, who was merely seeking information, but then lie heard a distant rumble, accompanied by the loud clanging of a bell a few feet away. To his horror, the motorist realised that lie had chosen one of Auckland's best-known level-crossings on which to stop for a friendly chat. His small car would probably have shown Sir Malcolm Campbell's Blue Bird a few points in acceleration over the next 20ft.

The Real Shortage Contradicting a rumour that recruits to the military forces had had to drill in civilian clothes, a military authority says there is no shortage of uniforms at present. Precisely; only of people to fill them. Potato Marketing It lias been reported that no representations have yet been made to the Internal Marketing Division to intervene in the marketing of the potato crop this year. Perhaps it is just as well, for the Government would have a great deal of trouble in picking the eyes out of this industry. Point of View

As a motor-car whizzed over a pedestrian crossing in Qnoen Street an aggrieved walker save vent to his feelings with the remark that the hest way to reduce motoring offences would he to revive the stocks. "1 would cheerfully pa.\ to see that fellow in them for a couple of hours," he said. And yet there is the other point of view. A motorist who had received a fright from the hesitancy- of a pedestrian at a crossing eased his troubled mind with the remark: "I am all in favour of the revival of Boadicea's chariots to clear these blank crossings."

Those Hardy Annuals The fact that up to the end of last week mosquitoes, sandflies and crickets were still hovering around, shows the need for some disciplinary action. They have their recognised period for their playful encirclements, but they should not be allowed to extend them into the customary close season. It really isn't cricket. However, after this week's weather they should all be well and truly out—for a time. Butter Outlook Reports from London state that butter is firmer. Judging by the difficulty experienced by most people in spreading it on toast during the last few mornings, there is definite evidence of some hardening.