MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 80, 8 September 1915, Page 2

MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

The fortnightly meeting of this above-named Society was held on Monday evening in the* Parish Hall. Ai it was an "opan night" the attendance waa v.'iy good. Mr C. West presided, and, after disposing ot ths usual preliminary business, he called upon the Rev. j. C. Fussell to take his turn in providing the entertainment for the evening. ' Mr Fussell apologised fot his absence f.om the last meeting and said tta prop sed to give the suiienee some gosd specimens of classical humour. lie pointed out the difference between tun ai.d frivolity, and said that the best way to cultivate our sense of humour was to read the works of our classic humourists. There were various types or brands of humour, each with its own characteristics and each obeying it) own laws. Irish humour was be.t of all, and stood by itself; Scotch humour was dry and subtle; English humour droll and true to life; and American humour was chiefly charactuised by startling exaggeration, as in the case cf the American rector who asked for donations towards repairing the aisle of the church, and to emphasis; ths need he said that the churchwardens disappeared from sight* thirteen timas last Sunday while taking up the collection. The speaker than proceeded to give readings from the various professional humourists to illustrate the types of humour ha bad referred to. The first was an amusing American piece entitled the "Ups and Dovns of Married Life." Then came a selection from Newton Newkirk's funny booklet "The Recollections of a Gold Cure Graduate.' The piece read was called "Eoteiing Home Quietly at 2a.m," giving tha life-like txperiences of a topheavy man. Tb:n followed most mirth-provoking readings from Jerome K. Jerome's famous book "Three Men in a Boat." The audience was kept in a continual simmer of suppressed laughter at the experiences of "J" and "Harris" aud "George" packing up for their holiday trip. Further funny readings from Jeromw's boak of travels in Germany convinced the audience of the reality and drollery of English humour.

In illustration of Irish wit, the speaker related one of Michael McDonagh's stones, concerning an 013 irishwoman who drove into the village to get her usual weekly supply of groceries. When she returned she. found tint t s .e matches she had b3ught would not strike at all. She took them straight back to the storekeeper, who immediately astonished the woman by striking one ot the in itches on his trowsera (after the mannsr or man). "Ihere ycu are," he said; "they're all right!" Sha looked at him with scorn, and replied: "Ariah, now, set out wid ye! Do you think 4'iu coming all the way into Ballyooly to strike matches on ycur ould britches?''

During the who!2 evening the audience s>h>wed a very keeu sense of humour, seeing tha poiiu at once and greeting the fua with roars of laughter.

a hearty vota ot thanks was passed to Mr h'usselt at the close of the meeting. The next meeting ii to be on Monday. September 20th, when a de'iate will li.' held on the "Attitude ot Ameuea during the* present war."