Mind Sharpeners.

Southland Times, Issue 19540, 2 May 1925, Page 18

Mind Sharpeners.

THIS PERIOD’S PRIZE-WINNERS.

It is highly gratifying to know and see what an interest you all take in these ’sharpeners. I think they are well named, don’t you? I am quite sure they are making your brain nimbler and more accurate, and helping you to think clearly and well. In these ’sharpeners are included all sorts of puzzles and problems; and it is worthy of note that not once has anything been left unsolved, as yet. There are always some of you who “worry” out the solution. This week, as I promised, I have given a prize to the winner of the most marks totalling the last five results, and covering a period of 10 weeks. The winner, as several of you have already guessed, is Cousin Gwenifor Griffiths (15) 15 Bluff Road, Invercargill,

who has never been beaten each week so far, and gained the enviable number of 105 marks. She should be congratulated very sincerely on her “stick-at-it-ive-ness”— there’s a word for us, and I think we should adopt it, don’t you? Cousin Clara Buckingham (12), Putangahau, who won last time, comes next, with 83 marks, closely followed by Cousin Rita Jackson (14), 149 Eye street, Invercargill, with 82. I think we should congratulate all three very heartily. And here is a surprise! The Editor was so pleased with the results that he insisted that prizes should be given to all three. So that is why these three Cousins will all receive presents. That’s a pleasant surprise, isn’t it! Just work hard at the next ones, and remember it’s your total marks which will count. This week’s solutions are— WHATS AND WHYS1— Why is a hard-boiled egg like a softboiled one? —Because it is hardly done. (Cousin Clara Elsie Buckingham was the only one to guess this. Well done, dear!) 2 Who is the oldest settler in the West? —The. Sun (which you all knew). 3 What relation is a woman to me if she is my mother’s only child’s daughter ? —My daughter (which again you all knew).

4 What is the centre of gravity? —The letter “v” (I won’t give you such an easy one again!) 5 Why is a soldier like a road? —Because they both have cart-ridges. (I was surprised that nobody guessed this one—it seems to me that you have often correctly guessed quite impossible ones, yet this one was not nearly so hard.) 6 When is a door nice to eat? —When it’s jammed! (This was guessed by quite a number of you, much to my surprise.) “CHOCOLATE.” The words from this simply astonished me—l never dreamt there were so many to be found. I see some of you developed a system, which is a very wise, plan, and thorough. Cousin Edgar Littlejohn sent me in the neatest work I have ever received, and I want to specially commend him. He found 81 words! The next to him was 58. Here are his, which I think is a fairly complete list— Words from “Chocolate”—Oh, ho, to,, at* 10, ah, ha, la, tea,, ate, eat, toe, hoe, 100, he, too, lot, hot, cot, late, hate, heat, the. let, hat, cat, clot, loot, hoot, tool, cool, coal, coat, hole, locate, heal, teal, tale, hale, ale, lea, cloth, clothe, loth, looth, loathe, lath, lathe, hotel, chat, cheat, latch, ace, aloe, colt, chela, col, echo, loch, oat, catck, • lace, alt, alto, cleat, coca, cola, halo, letch, tael, teach, act, ache, halt, cate, coach, cocoa, cale, leach, loach, oath. I divided the number of words you found by 4, to the nearest whole number in marking. BURIED BACKWARDS. The names of birds, which you all guessed well, I think, and had no trouble with were—Canary, crow, wren, owl, parrot, duck, hen, gull, lark, sparrow, peewit, crane. There were 10 marks for these.

The following are this week’s results—• Cousin Edgar Littlejohn, 30; Cousin Winifred McQuilkan, 27; Cousin Joyce Skinner, 24; Cousin Elsie Buckingham, 19; Cousin Alice Hewitt, 27; Cousin Rita Jackson, 26; Cousin Nancy Aitken, 10; Cousin Elsie Amos, 21; Cousin Alice Perry, 21; Cousin Winnie Belsham, 26; Cousin Eileen Milmine, 16 ; Cousin Bella Andrews, 19 ; Cousin Gwenifer Griffiths, 29. THE NEXT SHARPENERS. WHATS AND WHYS. 1— Eight arms, but no hand; A wooden leg, but cannot stand; Is often hurt, but cannot feel; Has no boots, but is shod with steel; A dress of silk, and belt round middle. Now can you guess this jolly riddle? 2 Why is the moon like baking bread? 3 What nation always wins in the end? 4 Why is corn like a dunce? 5 What boot polish is spelt with one letter ? 6 Why is coffee like an axe with a dull edge? AN A.B.C. TELEGRAM Here is a telegram in which the sum of the initial letters of the words comprises the alphabet:— A British Colony Depends Entirely For Good, Honest, Irresistible Jokes, Keenly Laughable, Mostly New, On Pearson’s Quaint Royal. Send The Usual Volume With “X’s” Yarns. Zululand. I want you to make one the funnier the better; but of course, it must make sense. BURIED TITLES ' In the following verses are buried names of titles. See how many you can find. The sun was sinking in the west The scene was picturesque, enchanting, No temper or display of ire Came from the bright rays slanting. Night came, no fear lurked in my heart ’Twas all ordained and I was gay That this iridescence did mark The calm reclining of the day. The closing date for these ’Sharj>eners is MONDAY, MAY 11, 1925. —COUSIN BETTY.