SPINDRIFT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16749, 2 June 1922, Page 6

SPINDRIFT.

Readers are invited to send in original topical paragraphs or verses for this column, which is a daily feature of the “ Star.” Accepted contributions Bhould be cut out by the writers and forwarded to the Editor, who will remit the amounts payable.

To the north of New Brighton there stretches the sand, In huge rolling hills ’twixt the »ea and the land. A few miles you travel, and then very soon . ,

You come to the edge of a mighty lagoon : And the waters that flow are of salt quality, „ Where the Waimakariri rolls down to •the sea.

Away o’er the waters you see from afar The breaking of waves as they stream o’er the bar; And, should you be present when low is the tide. The dull, dreary mud flats extend far and wide. Oh! ’tis not a prospect appealing to me.

Where the Waimakariri rolls down to the sea.

But still. I can tell you, you’ll not see the mud In those terrible times when the river’s in flood. The swift rushing waters are angry and £P*ey, As down to the ocean they hurry away ; And perhaps they bear seaward a. cow or a tree. When the Waimak. in flood rushes down to the sea.

Now Mr M'Kenzie has been heard to say That the stream to New Brighton draws nearer each day ; And soon it will happen that some dreadful night The town it will cover and swallow it quit©; And when that day comes I’m not wishing . to be Where the Waimakariri rolls down to the sea.

A Russo-German Trust has been formed at Moscow. with a capital of 30.000,000.000 paper money.—Gable.

“ Ja.” said Herr Stinnes. “ dis vos von rich company, voory. Ve vos all subscribe der kapital, und den ve make dor Troost. My voort, ve vos der great financiers. Vy, ven ve gets joevst about 20.000,000 more, ve vill haf sufficient for to pay der office—pay von veek's vages. Ja. eet vos von rich Troost. no doubts.”

The Brisbane Gas Company has reduced the price of gas.—Cable. Oh, ye who burn the midnight oil. or rather chandelier: ye who by gaslight do your toil, I bring to you good cheer. The price of gas. so I am told, is quickly going down; for fourpence less now it is sold to men in Brisbane town. You have a gas fire in the grate, with gas the house you heat; for now* it costs but 6s 8d for every thousand feet. You need not turn the gas off now, but leave it on all night: the company will you allow the use of cheaper light. Perhaps you want to suicide; well, now the gas is cheap; but please remember, ere you’ve died, that coffins cost a heap. Perhaps you want a fine balloon, to soar among the stars ; why, we have gas that very soon will carry you to Mars.

Yet. though the price is cheap as dirt, though gas be thrown away, though light; be cheap, still, for a cert. I shetll not buy today. Ali gas for heat or lighting bought I’ll certainly refuse , 1 11 go for talking gas—the sort supplied to Billy Hughes.

A lady in her new spring hat Sat on a. tramcar seat. The hat was large and much adorned. With sprays of swaying wheat. And even* time the lady moved She tickled ’neath the chin A strong stern man who sat nearby With patience wearing thin.

At last into his pocket deep The strong one plunged his hand. His digits scored and knotted too With contact with the land. Out came his knife, and then lie said Tn accents grim and clear: “ Now, lady, if yer don’t keep still There’ll b© a harvest here.”

Speaking at Dunedin the other night. Dr Trilby King said that many young girls lived for nothing but pictures and dances and sweets. He laid down a Spartan course of living which he said should be adopted. A flapper sends the following reply:— Pictures and dances and sweets,

These are the greatest of treats. I don’t care a fig for your dear Dr Kings ; Why should I think about serious things? I am quite satisfied in the present to live. While I find the young fellows so willing to give Pictures and dances and sweets. Pictures and dances and sweets.

For them each flapper’s heart beats. The doctor suggests I should rise about si >: And go through a long course of physical tricks; I must stick to a diet as plain as can be ; To be healthy and strong I must cut Oil t. these three : Pictures and dances and sheets. Pictures and dances and sweets.

With them no pleasure competes. Look at the fun I should miss if T said I’d live on plain food and go early to I bod. So although manv folks at my doings may frown. T don't care, what they say. I will never turn . down Pictures and dances and sweets.

All Rome appeared to be in flames. Tn every direction the sky blazed with the light of reflected fires, and from below rose sounds of tumult and confusion. On a balcony of the imperial palace stood Nero, smiling out- upon the burning city and serenely fiddling. Beyond in an ante-chamber Nero’s auntie was ringing a fire-alarm. Tn dashed Poppaea Sabina, Nero’s wife, wringing her hands. ‘‘'Oh! Oh!” wailed Poppaea Sabina. “ th© dreadful man ! They say he had it set on fire himself—ererybody’s talking about it!” “ Why, the old fire-bug,” exclaimed Nero’s auntie. “ And there he stands, playing that frightful fiddle as if nothing had happened. T wouldn't mind, onlv he’s the worst fiddler in Rome." Tn extreme agitation Poppaea Sabina rushed out noon the balcony. “ My lord,” she cried, forgetting in her excitements to bow “ "Romo is burning! Canst thou not do something about it?” Without- ceasing to fiddle, the emperor winked reassuringly at her “ Mv dear. PoT>pv. ” said he. “ calm thyself. There is no cau«e for alarm. T ordered this little conflagration mvaelf. and it- will bring many shekels into the coffers of stat o . You see. dear, it’s going to make a five-reel thriller.” •“ But “ r mn 1 burning Rome ” grinned Nero “for the movie right* !” ?T\T\h