In the Dominion

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 51, 28 February 1929, Page 6

In the Dominion

Swimming Postponed “In the doldrums we used to go over the side for a swim,” said Mrg 11. Vissel, of the American yacht Wanderlust, when that vessel arrived in Auckland in continuation of a world trip. On the way down to Auckland from Whangarei Heads the weather was sultry and a dip was suggested. At that stage it was found that four large sharks were following the yacht, so bathing over the side was postponed. His First Duty A sharp retort by the Magistrate during th c hearing of a maintenan- o case in thc Magistrate’s Court at Wellington made it plain to the defendant and every one else in Court that matrimonial obligations must come first. The defendant, a taxi-driver, was explaining that out of his week’s takings he had to pay £1 off the cost of his meter. Counsel, to the Magistrate: “If he misses his meter Le misses his livelihood.” Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M.: “If he misses his children he misses his liberty.” Future for Far North “I certainly think there is a very great future for the Far North,” said the Hon. P. A. do la Perrelle, Minister of Internal Affairs, on his arrival in Auckland after an extensive tomr of the North Auckland district. people there, as generally throughout ’ the North Island, are beginning to realis e the value of top-dressing, anl it is making a wonderful difference to the productivity of the land. It appeared to me, however, that thc country that I have juse tured is rather under-stocked. ”

A “.Decade” Tooth It is one of the charms of youth that it is so disingenuius. An example of a genuine “howler” in which tne unconquerable optimism of the perpetrator sought to overcome a total lacs of knowledge occurred in one of the secondary schools in Dunedin a days ago during a lesson on the mean ing of words. The word “decade' proved a pitfall for several of th< pupils; but one bright young jjrar, rather than confess her ignorance, furnished an astonished teacher wvh the following example of its use: “He had a decade tooth in his mouth.”

Generosity and Meanness A Taupo correspondent writes as follows to the Auckland Star:—“We saw in thc paper the other day that a lady dropped her handbag into tho Auckland Harbour, and said it contained money, 'keepsakes, etc. A boy dived in, searched the bottom, recovered the bag, and stood shivering in his wet clothes, while the woman went away without saying ‘Thank you.’ A different case occurred today. A tourist lost a fur coat on the Tokaanu road. A service car driver picked it up, found the owner, returned it, and to his astonishment received a £lO note. Thinking the tour- ’ st had made a mistake, ho demurred, but was told it was quite all right, and he was certainly to keep it.”

Amusing Interlude There was an amusing interlude it the Rotary Club luncheon at Wellington last week, when the English public schools boys were guests. The president (Mr iD. J. McGowan) apologia cd for thc late start of the luncheon, explaining that it was due to the Mayor (Air Troup) keeping the boys too long at thc civic reception. This evoked the cry, “Fine him!” from several members, to which the chairman replied that he would if he couid find him. A search round the tables failed to reveal Mr Troup, and finally the president remarked: “It doesn’t matter. I’ll fine the town clerk instead.” Amid much merriment the scrgcant-at-arms (Aotarian Denniston) made his way across the room and collected th c fine from Mr E. P. Norman. Centenarian Methodist

Among the veteran Methodist! of New Zealand the senior place is occupied by a centenarian of Marlborough. This person, a Maori woman of 197 years, as nearly as her age can be established, is Airs H. Rore, widow of a minister who was well known in the district many years ago. Airs Rore belongs to one of the oldest families in Alarlborough. Until a short time ago she lived at the Wairau Pa, Blenheim. Her influence was always a religious force in the pa, and even in extreme old age she would push herself along in a chair and would stop every now and then to enter into conversation with the younger inhabitants. She is now in the hospital at Blenheim, and the Alcthodist Conference decided recently to send her a special letter, congratulating her upon her long connection with the Church. Puzzler for Magistrate “How you young fellows make up your minds to sit on a piece of clattering machinery they call a motor cyclo is beyond me,” said Air A. W. Afowlem, S.AI., when dealing with an offending motor cyclist in Napier. “I’ve seen some motor cycles an-i I’ve heard some. Some I’ve heard with difficulty, as they go quietly. I LUinpose people will be writing to the papers and complain that the magistrate is unfair to motor cyclists, but most people will agree with me when I say that the average motor cyclist’s desire is to kick up as much noise as ho can possibly do. They do not think of people lying in bed at night or in bed sick. Why, tn Alastcrton a lady had a hospital on 1 lie main road, but she had to got put of it. Her patients demanded sleep, but they could not got it. What did the motor cyclfets caret Nothing! They still just streaked through the street. Let me say that in my opinion the noisy motor cyclist is the most selfish individual I have met yet, and that’s candid.”