BY THE WAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19258, 20 December 1930, Page 9

BY THE WAY.

SOME COLLECTIONS AND REFLECTIONS. (By One of the Boys.) If fishermen admit the trout they catch are smaller, believe me, they must be small. We’re glad they have abolished the coupon system. The name was right: Coup-on, but it was not the buyer that got the coup. When Mr Archer talks of colossal incomes one wonders what will be the outcome. We learn that : t has not always been the custom of the police to sell confiscated liquor. Someone has basely suggested that the stock of empties became so large that drastic action was necessary. It has been stated that Miss M. Gleitze has no hope of swimming Cook Strait. Then she should not try, as we have enough persons in “straitened ” circumstances. The statement that our leading citizens were “ average ” at school has created a great stir amongst the youngsters. They now strive for either the top or the bottom of the class. Alphonso of Spain says that if they want a republic they will have to fight him for it. Nobody blames him. It’s tough to lose a job these times. That story about the shark that had a wristlet watch inside it and still going is quite possible and is in keeping with the age. Too much tick has caused a lot of trouble recently. Old Boys are all out for a win today against the unbeaten Lancaster Park. The contest will be fierce. Hope there will be no doubtful decisions. F. A. Lightfoot is one of the umpires, so he should be able to get away safely. Last night the Opawa Tennis Club debated whether Sunday play be allowed. One man said that Sunday play would “smash” the club, “drive” all members away and “court” disaster. It was a “base line” of action. A certain “set” were behind the move and they were not “game” to come forward, but they would be “cut” and meet their “match.” In reply a Sunday-ite said that all must take a "stand” and the “net” result would be better “service.” He knew be-“forehand” the “advantages.” There was no need to raise a “racquet.” The chairman asked: “ Who are against it?” “ Ten-is,” came the reply. And as there were fifty for, it was carried. Yesterday was the first day of the school holidays. At ten o’clock Bluey had broken a window and fallen off the roof of the -washhouse and Tige, in trying to follow the cat under the shed got stuck and it took four men to lift the shed off him. At dinner time Bluey had so far recovered as to lame the neighbour’s dog with a cricket ball and Tige had fallen in the creek. At three o’clock Mrs Brown, whose husband is superintendent of the Sunday School, came across and complained that Bluey had killed the pet parrot with a catapult. On investigation the parrot came to life and said “ ! ■ ! !, 1 ! !,” and Mrs Brown said she could not imagine where Poll had picked it up. Tige, in a game of trying to see who could lean farthest out of the window, had won. By tea time Mrs Brown was over again and said that her boy, Billy, had been forced to play Indians and be the captured prisoner burned at the stake and his trousers were all scorched. Bluey and Tige both said that Billy said he preferred to be burned at the stake rather than tied to a raft and sent down the creek. After tea ttoo cats were seen leaving the district and Smith’s dog refused to come from under the house. At nine o’clock Bluey and Tige were quiet. They were asleep. Bluey and Tige’s mother reached for the new calender and studied it. “ Only fortytwo more days before they go back to school,” she said hopefully.