FROM THE WATCH TOWER

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 981, 26 May 1930, Page 10

FROM THE WATCH TOWER

By "THE LOOK-OUT MAN.” THE BIRD-GIRT. Amy Johnson, who wishes to be known as "Johnnie,” has come “marching home” with the laurels for woman’s greatest achievement In the world of aviation. The association I of the name is irresistible: "Mik Johnnie’s” arrived from London Town, Hurrah! Hurrah! Her ‘‘Jason’s Quest” is gliding down, Hurrah! Hurrah! In twenty days she hove in sight— A waiting Continent hails the flight Of "Johnnie,” The bird-girl, Who ventured aloft and won! —F.E. ‘■THE MUDDIED OOFS ” Prom Wanganui comes the dismal story of a local reporter who attended the match of the British Rugby team and in a moment of inspiration, or something approaching it, decided on reviving the historic description given to unkempt Rugby players, "the mud-, died oafs.” He even went to -the extent of using this phrase as his main headline, and a two-column one at that. Out it came that evening to astound a whole community in the peculiar form of “The Muddied Obfs.” A linotype operator had blundered over the reporter’s writing and an unthinking proof-reader had seep nothing out of the ordinary. People in Wanganui are still more interested in the definition of an “oof” than they are in the successes of the British fifteen. A GO-GETTER Sweeping and vigorous were the re- : marks made in Christchurch the other : evening by an enthusiast who warned ills fellow-citizens against apathy, and drew a picture of the Cathedral City of the future —a place of unbroken quiet, with dogs sleeping in the street. Given £5,000,000 and electric-power ; this modest man would present Christchurch with a harbour at Sumner that would make Wellington “sit up,” and make Auckland “look sick” for all i time. At the same time he would solve the problem of the unruly Waima- : kariri River that, more than once, has threatened the city with flooding. Auckland and Wellington may rest undisturbed. These claims have the virtue of novelty, but their originator has as much chance of substantiating them as he has of being given £5,000,000 to play with. Christchurch is not as sleepy as all that. SHARPENING ICE I /ES It has been said with truth that humanity consists of those who are able to put a keen edge on a pocket knife and those, who are not. One is born either with or without the knack of sharpening steel and, if the latter is the case, no amount of careful coaching or practice can bring jtroficiency. All fhis is prompted by the interest centring at present on the flax industry, the need for its development and the possibility of improving on present methods. A humble but important member of that industry is the flax-cutter, whose success at his job is dependent partly on the strength and reach of his arms, and partly on his ability to sharpen speedily and efficiently the .curved knife he uses. TIIE HANDICAP Speed is the essence of the flaxcutter’s contract, and the man with tlie longest and strongest reach seize and cut bigger bundles. Moreover, it follows that the man ■with the sharpest knife, and the ability to resharpen it in the shortest time, has a big advantage if, as is usually the case, he is engaged on piece-work. A well-known New Zealand journalist made these discoveries in his early days when an adventurous spirit induced him to seek employment at a flax mill. After a day of heavy slogging in a swamp, and futile attempts to sharpen his knife (he was one of the unfortunates), a kindly expert took him aside and advised him strongly to try his luck elsewhere. He did. and now, whenever he struggles with a dull blade on a blunt pencil, he reflects that those who cannot sharpen are delayed in tvalks of life other than that of the flax-cutter. HOW TO BE HAPPY Members of the “Good Morning Club,” which, after ail, is really an institution for the dissemination of a happy optimism, may find inspiration for further slogans in the report of the National Union of Students, members of which have been conducting a ballot to decide the most important constituents of a happy life. “A sound constitution” is placed first, and last, on the list were “an artistic temperament” and “a schoolgirl complexion.’’ “A blameless reputation,” “ a library,” and “an assured future” had their supporters. Somebody thought of “a thick skin.” another voted for “a poker face” and “a good cook” was also included. All in all the answers were not particularly satisfying. The key to happiness is such an elusive article: when you have it you seldom know it, and, if you lose it, no one else’s particular type seems to fit j your lock.