LOCAL GOSSIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23417, 5 August 1939, Page 4 (Supplement)

LOCAL GOSSIP

The Increased Beer Duty THE case with which motorists were able to replenish their tanks at the nearest petrol stations after listening to Air. Savage's Budget speech on Tuesday night, and thus save their fourponces, excited the envy of beer drinkers. Many, who feared that the increased tax on their favourite beverage would take effect next morning, felt inclined to rush out to secure reinforcements of "inspiring bold John Barleycorn.'' Six o'clock closing, however, spoiled their desires, luid they had, perforce, to go to bed thirsty and disturbed in thought. However, next morning's discovery that the extia duty was not to be "passed on" in the meantime brought some relief of mind. Passing of "Spud Monday" In view of the present-high price of potatoes, it is interesting to learn that the industrious home gardeners in JSelson will not enjoy their aforetime.popular "Spud Monday" holiday next week. This holiday has been observed in the southern city for about 70 years on the first Monday in August, but with the introduction' 1 of the fivc-dav and 40-hour week, "and all that," it has conic to an end. Still, the August plantin"- of' "spuds" will not bo neglected. Weather permitting, there will be a record sowing of the ncCessar.v but at present expensive tubers during the next few days. / Fate's Long Arm The long arm of fate arrested an Auckland man's attention last week in an unmistakable manner. Unable to obtain a seat for lunch in his usual restaurant, he tried another and another, until finally, wearied by his search for a chair, he decided to enter ■a tearoom where lie had never formerly trod. The first person he saw inside was an acquaintance he had not seen for six; years. The day was not yet done. Later, he heard that a friend of his had come back from England and was travelling to Wellington the same night. Having to go to the railway station on another matter, he suddenly decided to spend five minutes in a business acquaintance's office. Because he did so, he met the friend from England, just as he turned out of the railway station. Had he been five minutes earlier, the meeting would not have taken place. The only trouble is that since then he has,been seeing fate in everything he does or does not, and he has not yet arrived at the answer. The Fruit Machine At last something in tune with our little five-year plan and Mr. Nash's welcome home lias been found. A_ news item states that a fine sight in an Auckland suburb is a "blooming plum tree," which sets everybody wondering who, when Mr. Nash brings home the fruits of his labours, is going to get the' "blooming plums." There seems to be no lack of clarity about who shall, be in mceipt of the "blooming lemon" when the time comes. Material for Tears There .is' reported to be no truth in the rumour that owing to the concurrence of Arbor and Budget Days this country lias experienced a bumper crop of weeping willows.

Ry MERCUTIO

Mora Action Needed Let us hope that before next winter the Auckland Acclimatisation Society will become aware of its obligations to Auckland's citizens. It allowed the frigid conditions of the last week or so to be sprung upon us without the least warning or a hint of what to do to keep warm, when it should have been seeing to it months before that everyone was acclimatised in advance. Winter Sports The most disgruntled man in Aiickland at the present time is the one who deferred his holiday to the middle of July, and spent the intervening six months saving for the event, only to find on his return from the Chateau that Auckland's annual snow sports were held in the Waitakeres during his absence. Economy Begins at Home No one minded, the Government initiating a programme of rigid economy to make, up for its rather too liberal spending' in the past, but most people got a shock when they i'oujid that the Government's economy scheme was going to begin right in their own homes. There is little doubt but that the Budget will be followed by much private budgeting and a good deal ot estimating whether it is better to work harder and earn more money to pay the income tax or to take it easy and earn less so that there will be no tax to pay. "Diamond Cut Diamond" This ■ week somebody discovered a spurious half-crown. Now,- of course, that is very disturbing, and we alLieeL it is a hit under the belt at the Government. Because, alter all, it may be all right to turn out money that will not be accepted by anybody outside of New Zealand, but to coin money that not even a New Zealander will accept is just about-the lowest depth to which a counterfeiter can descend in fact, a sort of "diamond cut diamond" with ta vengeance. Tax of the Dark Ages, Taxes like comparisons, are odious, or "odorous," as Mrs. Malaprop was wont to say. Perhaps this famous old lady had to pay the obnoxious window tax', which was in force for over 150 years in England. A tax was imposed on all windows exceeding five in a house. This , impost was producing an annual rovtuhie of two millions sterling when ft was abolished in 1851. ]n order to avoid the extra tax, many windows were bricked, up by householders, and some of these are still to be seen along the countryside. They are mute but striking relics of the dark ages. Hard Knocks Financial blow upon blow for a hapless eominunitv fell on Wednesday. While the Budget provided another fourpence on petrpl and sixpence on beer, hothouse grapes were selling at us 2d a pound wholesale. Thus the cost of necessities soars! The Scot Will Out There is a man in Auckland who has had his descent solved for him. Boasting the clearly Gaelic name of Jones, he recently had occasion to address a business letter to a Scottish firm. The last mail brought back the reply, carefully addressed to "J. McJones, Esq."