AROUND THE DOMINION

Stratford Evening Post, Volume III, Issue 346, 29 April 1935, Page 3

AROUND THE DOMINION

"Little Short of Criminal." "It is little short of criminal 1o ask some boy or girl to stand up in class and make a speech on an unfamiliar subject or without preparation. The child is almost sure to shame himself," remarked Mr. S. J. Irwin, senior inspector of schools, in a talk to teachers in luvercargifl. lie mentioned that in one school an unfortunate boy had been asked to stand up and read from a newspaper clipping about the birth of quadruplets in Dunedin.

Compliment to Bishop. The story of how a neat compliment was paid to him by a fellow Maori using the characteristic form of an allegory, was told by Bishop Bennett at a concert given by the Waiputu Maori Choir at Hastings. The Bishop said that recently, when preaching to a Maori congregation, he had somewhat diffidently apologised for the occasional dryness of,lns sermons. "That's all right, Bishop," said one of the natives, "The driest walnut is always the sweetest."

"Swaggers" With Suitcases. A motorist who returned to Auckland recently after an extensive tour of New Zealand commented on the

fact Uiat> many "swaggers" whom he had seen oil the road had discarded their rolled blanket swags, usually carried: on their hacks, in favour of small suitcases. The motorist questioned one of them on. the point and was told that a man carrying a suitcase would often be offered! a lift in a car,, as his baggage would give the impression that he was going only a short distance, whereas a man carrying a swag would invariably bo passed) by. The Scotsman's Modesty. A new explanation for the traditional modesty of the Scottish people was advanced by the Re v. Dr. Charles W. Gordon, better known as the author, Ralph"'; Connor, at the civic reception tendered to him in Dunedin. After praising the New Zealand scenery very highly, ho expressed the opinion that the people of the Dominion were not doing their duty in not letting the world know more about it. "That is probably because you are Scottish," he said." "It is one of the great struggles of a Scotsman to retain his innate modesty."

Taking no Chances. A sophisticated juvenile attitude to the saving of money was revealed in a story told by a member of the Dunedin Sto'ek Exchange. He, narrated how he had been, tempted to buy some- mushrooms from two small boys (taring a visit to Balelutha over the week-end. He paid sixpence for Lis purchase, and upon inquirinig from the boy what he intended) to do with the money, received the immediate reply: "Go to the 'pies.'" Thinking that he would proffer-the lad some counsel, ho said: "Why don't you put it in the savings bank'?" and to his astonishment the lad exclaimed: ''No fear, mister; there might be another war!"

Old-Time Slaver as Hulk. When the notorious slaver Don Juan finished her nefarious career and was converted into a hulk at Port Chalmers some years ago a quantity of leg chains were found in her hold. The

chains had a gruesome r.ceord. They were acquired in the Atlantic, and later in the Pacific slave trade, and consequently they are relies of unusual interest. A resident of Port Chalmers has just been presented with one of the leg chain relics, and also another consisting of a lock of the saloon floor on the Don Juan. As the vessel was built in Sweden over 80 years ago for the Atlantic slave trade, the fit tings then, in vogue are of some historical interest .. T _,_ WJi . 1 — -•*•■>">••.- -