SPINDRIFT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16734, 16 May 1922, Page 6

SPINDRIFT.

Readers arc invited to send in original topical pa.rag rails or verses for this columD. which is a daily feature of the “ Htar." Accepted contributions should be cut, out by tho writers and forwarded to the*Editor, who will remit the amounts payable. T have received a letter from Trotsky, which runs as follows: “ Dear riir. I read with the much indignation Schliapnikoff against me the grave charges to have made. I read him me charges of appropriating roubles 30,000,000 for my own benefitsky. Such is one great falsikoff. I am of admitting out many roubles my accounts to be; but I with the great emphasisky declare that on the public purposes J such roubles were spending. First-sky I one fountain pen have purchased for the use for comrade Lenin : then Lenin, lie for me he buy also one fountain pen- That lias cost all the in hand cash, so we no more roubles haveoviteh. Still we have plenty of t roubles, hn, ha !” A meteor flashed across tho sky in \ irginia. rocking residences in half «, dozen cities by the shock when it reached the earth.—Cable. Tt is understood that a prominent citizen who signed the pledge in the excitement of the moment has now applied for relief. AT. Santos Dumont, one of the first airmen, declares that- if inventors had endeavoured +o perfect a small and very light machine, flying would now be the most popular sport.—Cable. Something like this, I suppose: 11 The Slciuyew Company announces great reductions in the prices of their vest pocket monoplanes. Now prices are: Ordinary £4 7s (xl 3 with anastigmat engine £5 os.” " Some very striking new lines in biplanes are being worn at present. Mrs Montmorency de Blank wag seen yesterday in a tight-fitting model of heliotrope canvas, trimmed with white propellers. The fuselage was cut low and tlie ailerons very decollete.” "At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Mr I. Steel was charged with the wholesale theft of aeroplanes. Constable Grabbe, giving evidence, said that accused's method of operations whs most ingenious- He had stationed himself near *Sockburn with rolls of flypaper hung from toy balloons, and his bog was as much as fifty for the afternoon. The Magistrate, in sentencing accused to one month’s imprisonment, said that he intended to deal with aeroplane thieves more severely in future.” A lofty young fellow of Styx In his slippers stood seven foot six. Each week, for a lark, He’d go to the Park, And watch football matches for nix. • * Although I don’t know what he’s done, or what his vioes are. I understand that Ghandi’s son is following his pa. For see, the recent cables say that he to .gaol’s been sent* and there for many a weary day he’ll have his punishment. And he wifl have to undergo a 6pell of labour too—-the first hard work one e’er did know this wicked man to do. Take warning, all you evil men, who in the shadows lurk; for you are headed for the pen, where ion will have to WORK! Newspaper heading: <l Thieves Take Rent Money.” My landlord calls for his every Monday morning. The New Zealand Forestry Magazine, which is piloted bv poet Will Lawson, is offered gratis the following verse to ‘•'star” at the head of the editorial column : Woodman, spare that tree. Touch not the smallest branches. I’ve got a family, You mustn’t spoil their cliance3. T noticed recently that the Indy editor of a daily news column devot-ed to women’s fashion was bewailing the fact that dress designs could not be copyrighted. Young women were in the habit of drifting from shop to shop searching out the latest In dress styles. But after all it is a moot point whether or not the latest creations are really invented. Here’s my bit. on the subject: Dame Fashion never does invent Our gowns to any great extent ; She merely borrows from her store The gowns that our grand mothers wore. I know His so—-because I hear Bustles are coming in next rear. Since the cost of living bonus has dropped five shillings it is still possible to buy a fifteen shilling pair of boots for one pound ten That dictum from a ladies’ fashion paper that tl skirts are to l*e worn longer ” does not mean that they will be worn much longer. A conference of dentists was recently held. It was all jaw. The Christchurch Presbytery recently passed a resolution condemning the present day ball-room dancing.—Nows item. Dancing is a fearful crime, J ' = *- It might land one in Hades ! For parsons say it ia not right To fox trot with the ladies. The boys and girls of yesterday, Were all quite prim and proper . The minuet was all they did. When father wore a “ topper.” They nil sat round the fire at night, While Prudence sowed some skirting : And John could only sigh and stave. Because there was no flirting. When lovers then did plight their troth. Tt was a hardship rather. To kiss a pretty finger-tip, In front of Mum and Father. But now it’s (different, don’t you see. Our parent* have their senses, They see no parm when decent chaps. Go hopping with their wenches. Of course wo can’t help some poor folk. Who are so narrow-minded. And would not glance at ladies’ legs. Tn case their eyes were blinded. So boys and girls, he not afraid Of all this senseless chatter : For though the parsons may ret cross, They really do not matter. For Sale—Double-barrelled Gun and and Tennis Racket. Would exchange for Pram in good order.—(Advt. in daily paper.) I once was tho keenest of sports j, 1 could run; 1 could shoot; T could ride. On the river, the links and the courts My records were known far and wide. But T fell for a pair of blue eyes; T saw not the p>ill in the jam. And to-day I’ve but one exercise. That’s pushing a pram. My 'porting gear all has been soldi, For I can’t afford games any more : I’ve a youngster just- seven months old. And he needs all the cash I can store When I think of tlie fun that T miss As I road of my mates and their wins. Mr sole consolation is this: H migtU have been twin?.. S f NBA T>.