SPINDRIFT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16737, 19 May 1922, Page 6

SPINDRIFT.

Readers are invited to send in original topical paragraphs or verses for this column, which is a daily feature the “ Star.” Accepted contributions should be cut out by the writers anti forwarded to the Editor, who will remit the amounts payable. Tbe New South Wales Government has decided to dispense with six Ministerial cars on the ground of expense; but the Ministers affected will be allowed to hire taxis when necessary.— Cable. By latest wires from Sydney comes A tale that’s very funny; The Ministers must lose their cars Because they cost much money. But now, lest they should feel aggrieved (Oh, how retrenchment waxes!) The Ministers in taxis ride And pay them out of taxes. *** At the sale of the library of tho i Baroness Burdett-Coutts, it is reported, j tbe famous Daniel first folio Shake- 1 speare, originally bought by the ! Baroness for £716. fetched £BOOO. Air Bill do Jones, of Waltham, announces that he, too, has just conclud- | ed a. most successful sale of his line t collection of rare first editions. A j fine copy of 11 The Uninvited Kiss,” by Gene Stratton Garvice. originally pur- 1 chased in 1915 for 2s 6d, realised Is 2d. A Western Romance,” by Zane Bell M right, originally marked 6s (id and shoplifted by Air do .Jones for Os Od. was passed in at lO&d with a broken mousetrap. Mr do Jones hopes to dispose of it privately at a handsome profit over cost price. Contrary to expectations, the Sugar Loaf discussion at- the recent meeting of the Scenic Reserves Board was anything but a sweet one. Air Guthrie, who has been actingAlinister of Railways for a year, has been appointed Alinister of Railways.— Nows item. It is hoped in Conservative circles th.at the position will be a permanent I understand that the cows in the Taranaki district have refused to consent to the proposed Dairy Pool unless a Jfay and Turnip I*ool is formed to accompany it. 1 notice with considerable interest that Air Renner, of Wellington Col lege., considers that young New Zealand is developing a Cockney accent. When I first heard this I was greatly perturbed, and resolved to put tho matter to tbe test. Seizing my email son Archie firmly by the scruff of tho neck, I inquired sternly: “ Archibald, have you a Cockney accent ?” Archie wriggled and exclaimed : €t Noa. Lemme go. yer brute. I ain’t seenver cockernev accint; whatyer cominat. Ow. yer hurtin me. Leggo!” “ That proves it, all right,” l said to ray wife. “Get the castor oil.” . The Executive Committee lias decided that the New Plymouth hand contest will commence on Monday, Eeb- [ ruary 26. 1923. Several competitors, who hare to travel by rail, have writt ten complaining of the short notice ! given. The West Coast has experienced an exceedingly wet autumn. For weeks ‘ past there has been a succession of wet days, with an average of one fine day.— News par. One line day per week or per autumn? Professor Hawruss, who is a scientific investigator of tho very highest order, writes protesting against the proposal to combat the rabbit pest in New booth Wales by the introduction of weasels and stoats. He himself has evolved an alternative scheme, which is no less than the teaching of cannibalism to the members of the furry horde. “It mustbe obvious,” he says, “ that if wo can get the rabbits to destroy each other, it must be far more economical than paying men to destroy them. My idea j is that at some given moment all the ; rabbits in Australia should be deprived j of food for at least a week. At the i end of that period, when their appetites j had attained a very keen edge, a clockwork rabbit filled with carrots and letI tuce would be introduced into each ' burrow. The bunnies, attracted by the fragrant odour, would promptly proceed to dine off' the automatic rabbits. Then it requires little imagination to see that each rabbit would mistake his neighbour for a clockwork rabbit and devour him. By this means the whole tribe would be reduced to one rabbit, who would immediately die of over- . feeding.” Community singing’s tho latest of fads And all the best people are in it; Solemn old fogies, young lathes and lads, All like it when once they begin it. One does not require a melodious voice To join m this great singing party; Their principal a ini is to shout and rejoice, And if it’s not tuneful it’s hearty. If yop have a voice that is not quite the thing, And your tune is not always perfection, This is your chance for a jolly good sing. Where no one will raise an objection. So come, one and all, join this popular craze, , Start community singing to-morrow: , ’Twill lengthen your years and brighten your days ’ And drive away trouble and sorrow. | A vonng Aucklander who was convicted of tho theft of £7 10s was released on probation. He was allowed to retain 30s, the unspent balance of . the money, on condition that he repaid | tbe full amount within six months. Tf [ this increasing clemency towards , thieves continues we may expect in the , course of a’ few years something like j the following : * Air ML Sikes performed a masterly burglary at the Bank of New Zealand on Wednesday evening. He opened the strong room in his usual eraftsman- * like manner, hut unfortunately he was captured by the nightwat-chman. who 1 dealt him a cowardly blow from behind. The Magistrate before whom the case was tried said that Air Sikes had the sympathy of the whole community. He released the prisoner on probation, and as slight consolation for bis had luck allowed him to retain half the money he had extracted from the safe. There is some talk of'presenting Air Sikes with aii illuminated address. The watchman was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for common assault. Seven years ago a Taranaki farmer bung his waistcoat on a fence. A calf came along and chewed off the pocket, in which was a gold watch. Last- week the animal was killed for beef and the watch was found in such a position I between the lungs that tho animal’s f breathing had kept, the stem-winder I wound up and the watch had lost only \ four minutes in seven wears. Next. * please! i Judging from the reported defeat of the British Government the Goddes axe has proved to be a boomerang. 97 NR A D.