OUR LADY'S LETTER

NZ Truth, Issue 725, 10 May 1919, Page 2

OUR LADY'S LETTER

; By "DOT." I

On the Main Trunk train from Auckland, and somewhere near Marton, a carriage full of people were kept awake most of the night by the. chattering of a young couple; one,* a returned soldier, and the other a pretty girl, who were enjoying a 'hot flirtation. The lady, from her conversation, was a teacher, and it is to be hoped she preaches more than she practices; and that she teaches her pupils to display more consideration for the comfort of others Nuf Bed. • • • The manner m which children are allowed to run about our streets, often quite alone, makes it ' dangerous for people with weak hearts to be abroad. Again and again "Dot" has been on cars when directly m front of a moving tram boys have run from one side of the street to the other, only the quickness and presence of mind displayed by the motorrnan having saved them. As several of the 'latter are returned soldiers, the shock to them lias caused a Teturn of their war disabilities, and, m one case, many months' absence from work. , Willis and "Vivian -istreets and the vicinity of Lambton and Thorndon Railway Stations, and the neighborhood of the wharves are where the most of the skylarking takes place. During the disembarkation of troops the number of motor cars scorching along m quick succession from railways and wharves requires even adults to keep their weather eye open if they wish to preserve life and limbs. What chance has a child of tender years? The frequency -of accidents during the past few months renders some action an imperative duty. Teachers should Jecture their classes and our city fathers should liven up their traffic inspectors regarding careless motorists who have been taking undue liberties with the speed limit since the last public howl of indignation died down. "Dot" noticed a motor driver looking behind whilst driving- up Willis-street and almost running into another car filled with women and children. Motorists and cyclists repeatedly break the bye-law and rush past tram cars that have pulled up at stopping places. Cyclists almost flout the bye-law and seldom pull up. Perhaps a few of Russell's sprouts (if they are permitted to germinate), would be able to deal, with "larky" boys, whether on cycle, car, or on foot! Something must be done at once to safeguard human life, both young and old. • • 9 ■■;■■ A number of returned soldiers,, chiefly Junior officers, waited upon Sir James Allen, Minister of Defence,, and complained that they were unable to obtain work— that their employers refused to re -instate them. Also that too many Government jobs were filled by women and girls. As the men had been taken from these jobs and sent to the war, they deemed It tile duty of the ' Government to see that they were re-instated or found other jobs as good if .not better. Sir James, it is stated, was much distressed to hear that employers were not generally "playing the game" to the boys who had done, so. much for them and promised to 'iboHintOvthe matter. "Dot" trusts that some lazy wasters of. men, who are. (sticking to ,". soldiers' .jobs; also a number of girls whose parents are quite able to maintain them at home— daughters of professional men r^-wili be sent to look for "fresh. woods and pastures new.'' Has the-Chamber of Commerce been ihanded that black list by the R.S.A.? • „-:'. • _• ••■; The landing of the troops Is quite a credit to Captain Prictor and his assistants. What a contrast between recent disembarkations and the bungles of the old regime! The use of two gangways, one for North and one foT South Island men, Is a splendid idea, and "Dot" heartily congratulates Captain Prictor upon his work. The Motor Reserve -continue to do their work In a truly 'splendid: manner. It is most 1 noticeable, however, that the cars are owned by, the people of moderate means; not a single wealthy .man's car appears with the Red Band of Patriotism on the arm of the driver. ■Quite a number of useful Fords are present every time, and recently the calls have been, of daily. . occurrence. Many well-known business men : ihave driven soldiers from the transports to the trains, the hotels, anal to their residences m the city and suburbs since the first batch came back from France. . These deserve all praise for their generous recognition of what is due to returned soldiers. • ':.«»■.■ • Meetings have been the order of the day and night during the past week. That held In the King's Theatre was the most novel and refreshing 1 . There one had a free picture film screened, two good songs by a good singer,; and a good eet-to between the folk who. paid for the theatre to enable them to make their civic platform known, and a few of their guests. There was a chairlady and a chairman; Dr. PlattsMills taking the chair for Mrs. Maude C. Gibbons, arid Mr. Veitch for Messrs. Royle and Righton. In honor of Mrs. Gibbons a number of women of the W.N.R. occupied seats on 1 the platform. (Will some of these ladies please note, that, when- occupying such exalted positions, it is unwise to cross your legs and display white "undies?" Either wear dark "etcs,*' or don't cross your knees. The horrid men and nasty women were, very busy with their remarks on Monday afternoon). Dr. Daisy;, made a. splendid openingspeech, and- gave.; Mrs.- Maude Gibbons a good pedigree; which she lived up to when placing- lier "views before the audience. Her answers to questions would do credit' to many a would-be Parliamentarian— prompt and straight. Bert Royle got a decent hearing, and, apparently, satisfied his questioners. Mr. Righton fell foul of some patrons of picture theatres, who had tumbled to the "trick of the trade" m fixing "reserved" tickets on to three parts of the entire seating accommodatibrii whether reserved or not. Mr. Royle had to explain that he was not responsible for such proceedings, for he did not own or manage picture shows. Hereabouts a vocal duel took place between .the chairman and a man In the audience, who seemed anxious to make a. speech. Mr. "Veitch was too strong for 'him and he had to subside amidst much laughter. ■''.'■ ■"■'.'' •".■■■, A lady then demanded to. know why better conveniences were not attached to the King's Theatre for the use .ofwomen and children. . MrL Righton thought she was right; but he did not ■happen to own the . King's— and so on to the end. Backblpcks Doughnuts:. As flsh is either unobtainable or prohibitive m price mothers -are often troubled as to what they -shall provide for a young family's, tea m cold weather. Failing soup, doughnuts are, very, good and cheap Good dripping is, .however, essential. Two cups of good dripping brought to. boiling point (showing blue flame as for flsh) m a stew-pan or sauce-pan should be ready by the time the mixture is reads'. For the "nuts .: , Two cups of flour, a piled teaspoonfuL of baking powder, a little sugar, .mixed .to the consistency of ordinary scphes, with milk or Water Cut into small, pieces and mould into balls, and with thumb make a hole 'in which jam may be placed, covering up the. hole with another piece of dousrh Drop as many as possible into the boiling, fat, - and when nicely browned' lift out with a slice and serve very hot, .The-result Is a perfect food-con-taining carbon-. and protein, necessary or . cold -weather' and having the merit :of costing -less than most thlnsrs-now-a-days, ; Instead of .the jam, cold mince or flsh may be used.