A QUESTION OR TWO.

Otago Witness, Volume 23, Issue 2684, 23 August 1905, Page 81

A QUESTION OR TWO.

Have any of you noticed the changed position of the Southern Cross, front say a month ago? How much have the days' lengthened? Have you noticed the buds bursting? Isn't it early for gooseberry trees to be in leaf? Are you observing the woolly aphis or any other insect life? Daffodils are already in bloom. Have .many of you seen the following? It has appeared in one or two educational journals : — • D AEPTD 0 WNDILLY. , , (Selected.) - Daffydowndilly came up in the colcT, Through" the brown mould, AJ.thoughr the June- breezes blew keen on her face, / Although the white snow lay on many a place. Daffydowndilly had heard underground The sweet rushing sound • • Of the streams, as they broke- from their white winter chains, Of the whistling spring winds and the pattering rains. *' Now then," thought Daffy, deep down in her heart, " It's time I should start." So she pushed her soft leaves through, the hard frozen ground, Quite up to the surface, and then she looked round. , There was snow all about her, grey clouds overhead ; * The trees all looked- dead. Then, how do you think poor Daffydown felt, When the sun would not shine and the ice would not melt? "Cold weather I" thought Daffy, still working away ; "The earth's hard to-day! There's but a half -inch of my leaves to be i seen, And tfro-thirds of that is more yellow than green. " I can't do much yet, but I'll do what I can. It's well I began! For, unless I can manage to lift up my head. The people will think that the Spring heiself's dead." So, little by little, she brought her leaves out, All clustered about; And then her bright flowers began to unfold, Till Daffy stood robed in her spring green and gold. 0 Daffydcwndilly, so brave and so true, 1 wish all were like you! So ready for duty in all sorts of weather, And holding forth courage and beauty together. CIGARETTE SMOKING. gome, time ago I published one oi" two articles " and extracts on this habit, bad enough for men, but intolerable in boys. I am told that, in one of our schools, every boy who smoked some time ago has given up the habit. Whether this is true or not, of course, I cannot cay, but I hope it is. The extract given below is from the Schoolmaster, an English educational paper : — "The School Board of Glasgow has issued a circular to parents, in which its members say that at a reoent meeting with their head masters they had many evidences of the bad effects of cigarette smolcing brought before them. They desire to draw the attention of parents and guardians to the striking symptoms and evils of this practice, which regularly com© under the notice of the teachers of the various classes. They trust that these details pay be useful for the information und guidance of parents, and may secure their earnest co-operation with the School Board and the teachers in their efforts to safeguard the children from a habit which so seriously affects the health and tlie character of youth. Teachers have, observed that boys who have commenced to smoke are liable to frequent sickness, and in many cases c.how defects in speech and eyesight, or develop what is known as a ' tobacco heart.' Growth is also interfered with, and the power of work is lessened. Besides this a weakening of character frequently displays itself in petty thefts, sals of school books, looseness in returning change, and engaging in casual employment without the parents' knowledge. A little care cm the -part of parents would soon detect the beginnings of the habit of smoking. Apart from pale fac&s, yellowstained fingers, dull eyes, yellow teeth, and a tendency to spit, the smell of tobacco can be noticed on clothes, hand, or hair. Parents will observe loss of. appetite, frequent complaints of sickness, and a want of interest in play as well as in work. Early attention to these symptoms would save, many boys from a breakdown in health

or from falling into some petty offence or crime. The board would strongly nrgo parents, guardians, and all interested in the welfare of youth, to do what they can for the prevention or cure of lh'"s deplorable habit by attending to the following suggestions: — (a) Warn against bad practice ; (b) Remove temptanon by watchfulness : (c) Examine suspected cas-os daily ; (d) Exercise strict supervision over pocketmoney, change, and other sources of supply ; (c) Give no facilities for acquiring tobacco at home." — Dr Macramara has reconed the following letter: — "' Esher House, Beechen Cliff, Bath. 28th April. 1905. Dear Sir,— I beg to inform you that at a large and representative meeting of the Bath Sunday School Union, held at Manvers street Baptist Church, on Sunday evening last, presided over by the Rev. Frank Johnson, the editor of the Sunday School Chronicle, the folowing resolution was unanimously parsed : ' This meeting of the Bath Sunday school teachers cordially, supports the work of the International Anti-Cigarette League, and wishes to convey to Dr T. J. Maenamara its high appreciation of the- public spirit which he has shown in introducing the new Anti-Cigarette Bill into the House of Commons. It trusts that h© will persevere with the measure, and that his efforts on bshalf of the youth of the nation will be crowned with success.' The meeting was very enthusiastic over the question, and- all present felt under a deep debt- of obligation to you for the grand work which you are doing on behalf of the children of England."