BY THE WAY

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11786, 24 March 1924, Page 4

BY THE WAY

RANDOM THOUGHTS ON MANY THINGS (Special to “New Zealand Times.”) ' There is no sign of the sovereign yet, so the banks still keep on making a note of it. 0 99999 Wellington’s funereal-looking freight car goes on its sombre way through the city streets, but business firms will not give up their motor delivery wagons. Is there money in both? * * * • 9 Orongorongo tunnel is finished at last, and though some dub it a Semple affair it was by no means a simple job. • • # * • The Prime Minister claims to he a commercial traveller. If that means approaching John Bull for a loan then he is right, but some people would call it by another name. • * Wellington’s cricket sensation has moved Auckland to utter lofty sentiments on good manners in general. As if tho northern city is qualified, of all others, to pass strictures on any one else. * * * 4 9 Tasmania’s finances are reported to be in a parlous state. “The Speck” is mighty near bankruptcy despite the heavy tax on “Tatt’s.” • * * • • The “Keep to the Left” notices in Wellington are more honoured in the breach than in the observance. By the way, some questions have been asked as to the condition of the person who drew the chalk line down the oentre of Wellington’s principal pavements. !»•••• Though the touring British squadron was to be repainted at Adelaide, it is not true that Ramsay Macdonald ordered the colour to be red. 9 9 9 • • Egypt is not alone in the possession of departed glories. Wellington still remembers its one-man band and the Hermit of Island Bay. • * . • . Talk about New York’s Broadway and Great White Way—you ought to see Tokomaru on a Saturday night. • ••,»• “Star chamber” methods are not generally popular anywhere, but in view of the various secret conclaves reoently held, the Wellington Rugby Football League cannot be blamed for deciding that all its future meetings will be held in committee. 99999 It has been suggested that the Gaming Act be amended in the direction of prohibiting betting on Hutt road potholes.

A few suggested subjects for the proposed civic examinations:— (1) Give an account of the rise and decline of the Bulgarian Bug. (2) State the rules governing civio receptions: (a) to Royalty, (b) to touring ping-pong players, (o) to itinerant globe-trotters. (3) Are you in favour of cricket umpires wearing coats of mail at test matches, or is a revolver quite sufficient so far as Wellington is concerned? (4) In view of the decided stand taken by Elarl Beatty, Admiral • Sturdee, and Mr T. M. Wilford on the Singapore base question, was the decision arrived at by Ramsay Macdonald and the Labour Government the correct one? (6) State the relation of the preference clause to moral suasion, and Mr W. T. Young’s attitude thereon. , (8) Explain (a) why Lamhton quay is likened to a dog’s hind leg, and (b) why Lower Cuba street is in the north and Upper Cuba street is in the south end of the city. • • 9 e • We all firmly believe in the slogan, “One man, one job,” and it would be interesting to learn how many Wellington citizens are holding down a plur alitv of positions. • # 9 9.9 It would appear as if the National Anthem is regarded as the national anathema by some people. 99999 The race is not always to the swift, as some punters at the recent Masterton meeting learnt to their sorrow. 99999 Judging hy the number of recent scientific discoveries and inventions the origins of which have been traced to tie late Jules Verne’s novels, there is some talk of making this distinguished frenchman’s work a compulsory subject tor the B.So. degree. 99999 Wheat is not yet 10b a bushel, but if some members of the farming ■' community are allowed to have their way the day of the shilling loaf would soon he here. 9 9 9 9 9 Street collections are so numerous nowadays that the married man whose I wife only allows him 5s a week pocket money has to walk through the city between the tram lines to dodge the importunities of the fair wielders of the jingling money-boxes. 9 9 9 9 9 A Chinese soccer team will be visiting New Zealand shortly. The rumour that Long Tack _ Sam is to be captain of the combination has no foundation in fact. • 9 9 9 9 A speaker in the British House of Commons wishes to he assured of the difference between a Danish 03 egg and a British A 1 egg. Wellington public are more interested in the difference between “new laid eggs,” “fresh eggs ” and “eggs.” ’ 99999 Oscar Asche in “Othello” stabs Deedemona instead of smothering her with a pillow. Which method do you prefer, and wby? 99999 The difference between a pre-war pint, a reputed pint, and a “Wanganui” is agitating a bibulous section of the community just now, and a visit to various hostelries does not seem to make the situation any clearer. —A.8.M.0.