ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 3829, 2 August 1927, Page 24

ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON.

By

Pencarrow

(SPECIAL FOE THE OTAGO WITNESS.) July 28. In connection with the Winter Show there was a sheep dog trial on Saturday. To those accustomed to the marvellous feats performed by dogs on their native heath the exhibition was a disappointment. The dogs did not come up to form. Strange surroundings helped to put the animals off their stroke, no doubt, but there may be another explanation. The language of the shepherd in the back country is more forcible than polite, but the dogs understand that lingo. At. a show in a city this language is probably modified. The shepherd is in “ store clothes,” and his manner pianissimo. His mood is reflected in the dog. Resultfeeble.

The Winter Show has been a great success, and has provided interest for old and young. The imported article need not be chosen by those who aim at the very best, for New Zealand factories are turning out material and goods which compare favourably with any from overseas. Side-shows at the exhibition attracted the public, and the work of the girl glass-blower is probably the greatest draw in the show.

If is a disappointment to ardent patriots that Britain's typewriters arc not so popular as the American machine. I am not speaking about any shown at this exhibition, but on general principles. I would give much to find a British machine infinitely superior to any other, and which, without technical knowledge, I could clearly prove superior. On dit that even Government departments use an American make, and that Yankee typewriters are more popular in England than those manufactured there.

New Zealand cannot hope, to compete in this line. Those who need typewriters must do the best they can with their money. New Zealanders would prefer to sec British manufacturers leading the way in the building of typewriters as well as motor cars. They tell me that, a typewriter is a necessity in every American home, and is regarded as one of the blessings of modern life. I know a typewriter which is the exact opposite in a New Zealand home, though I admit ">at bad workmen quarrel with their tools. What I like about the American manufacturer is that he is accustomed to r ools. and caters for them.

Though times are hard we are invited to look on the bright side, and to believe that things are improving. The worst, is over. For this, thanks be. . . . Looking round Wellington I am inclined to believe that this community is optimistic. There is much new building going on. Streets arc altering fast. The place has a prosperous appearance.. Though young engineers declare there are few opportunities for them in this country the architects have some reason for being cheerful. People must live in something.

A recent number of the London Evening News contained an article on “ Making Room for Books.” The writer declares that architects cannot be blamed for people not buying books. Men who want books will have them, and will contrive to set up shelves. This is true, but one wishes that rising young architects would realise that all men need books, and that shelves built after the house is finished take up valuable space. Wh. not let shelves into at least one wall of every room? These shelves will serve other ■purposes until the newly-married couple have collected those silent friends which never fail, and which sometimes stick closer than a brother. This scribe (1 hope) is no more selfish than the average book lover, but always has a struggle when asked to hand out old books for jumble stalls. Which can be spared? Each has its associations. The Lord loveth a cheerful giver, and I fear that

the books which have, left this establishment pro bono publico will have earned no good marks in heaven, for not cheerfully have they been given, though the architect did not the existing state of things. We must blame somebody else for all our woes. Those who own houses libel the architects when in after years they realise all the comforts they never thought of having (or could not afford to get), and those who dwell in other people’s houses invariably point out all "the mistakes they would have avoided if they had done the planning. An architect needs a woman partner or confidential clerk who will anticipate the suggestions his women clients make. B idding architects take notice! Other ar-

chitects be scornful —and sooner or later (probably sooner) take, a back seat! It

is the woman architect who will plan the future homes. Her male partner will attend to little details—measurements, detailed plans, boilers, pipes, and possibly the workmen, for the hand that rock the cradle sometimes upsets the applecart when it. conies to dealing with such things. Dr Bakcr M’Lagan’s report concerning the prevalence of goitre among girls of the Canterbury district has caused consternation here. Every schoolgirl in this country has been born during the reign of Dr Truby King. Parents of to-day have been given opportunities denied all past generations. They live -in an enlightened age. They cannot plead ignorance. There are indeed those who believe there is'danger of destroying confidence, so clearly are the pitfalls of the married state indicated, yet it seems that State

compulsion may be required to safeguard unborn children against the dangers of goitre, a disease which we are assured is generally preventable. If the Canterbury doctor correct in her diagnosis 89 per cent, of the schoolgirls in that d ; ~trict suffer from a disease which, unchecked, may affect the brain power of future generations. For the credit of this country let us hope the expert will find reason for modifying her opinion. There is a Shakespearian evival here just as there was a religious revival on the day the Duke and Duchess of York were expected to attend service at St. Paul's pro-Cathedral. Twelve thousand school tickets were sold during the season which closed last night, when the Allan Wilkie Company produced “ Twelfth Night. ”to an enchanted house. Some of the high-brows have been critical, but to the young community this Wellington season has been pure joy, and Allan Wilkie is a very popular man. He Jias been most generous. For a mere song students and school children have been able to see a very varied assortment of Shakespeare’s works, and they have made the most of their opportunities. . . . The audiences have been large and enthusiastic during the whole season. It is said that the keenest and most intelligent interest in these plays has not been shown by society people, but by a very different Wellington crowd, who have pro’ "bly spent hard-earned cash for the pleasure of hearing and seeing something with which they have been long familiar. In most unexpected quarters a wide knowledge of Shakespeare has been discovered. The audiences have been most appreciative.

Wellington has responded admirably to the Mayor’s appeal for funds to relieve the unemployed. It is expected that eventually the contributions will amount to £13,000, and with it much useful public work will be performed. Lower Hutt has reason for being satisfied with itself. There is no unemployment there. Every man capable of working is in work, and the Mayor is able to turn his attention to the assistance of Petone. Hutt people are great gardeners. They have found work in their gardens for many a casual labourer. Their public spirit has been observed and appreciated. The Mayor of Lower Hutt points out that people who are not accustomed to employing labour have risen to the occasion, and at some sacrifice found work, thus lending a hand in a manner which hurts the pride of no one. Our war memorial carillon will soon be an accomplished fact. The contract is let to Messrs Gillett and Johnston, ot Croydon, London. The design will be an improvement on Ottawa's carillon, though similar to it. It is believed that Wellington’s instrument will prove the finest in the world.