“CHRIST CHURCH.”

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 26

“CHRIST CHURCH.”

AMUSING AMERICAN STORY. (From Our Own Corre' ondent.) SYDNEY, February 23. Geography is not the long suit of at least one American newspaper. Of this fact, a correspondent has forwarded to one of the Sydney papers a delightful illustration, which, while it has an immediate appeal for New Zealanders, will be appreciated with equal zest by others. The story needs no trimming; it speaks for itself. The title of the article in the American publication which has been sent to Sydney, and which committed one of the most delightful “ howlers ” on record, is “ New Zealand Show is Held in Church.” Here is the article, or at least the point of it, in its own words: —“ Automobiles and religion have a close alliance in New Zealand, according to a cable to the United States Department of Commerce from its representative in Wellington. He reports that the New Zealand ninth annual Olympia was held in Christ Church, from November 4 to November 12, the edifice being completely filled with automobiles. The idea of the show in the church was hit upon bv the dealers as a unique advertising possibility for the show, and was received with enthusiasm by the churchmen as a means of raising a tidy revenue for The church.” Now, isn’t that great? For economy of words, the Wellington correspondent apparentlv simply cabled that the show was held in Christchurch. The man at the other end, with an abyssmal ignorance of New Zealand, but with an imagination that at least was creditable, did the rest.