SANDY'S CORNER

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 November 1950, Page 4

SANDY'S CORNER

Where is tftis South Island Arthur Helliwell refers to? DAYS AT AUTHIE Away back—June or July, 1918— it might have been earlier in that year, but certainly in 1918—two leading New Zealand statesmen visited the New Zealand Division in France — the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward. We met a chap the other day who recalled that visit to mind. He asked us did we remember? We had reason to! The left brace of our web equipment was crossed over the right, when it should have been the other way round, and the sergeant-major—well, we weren’t at all in favour with the sergeantmajor that day. But what we remembered even more vividly was those two leaders looking at a piece of cardboard pinned to a tree. On it was printed, the work of A. L. Moore, Wanganui, this startling piece of information: “Coming soon: Bill Massey, in that Great Drama, ‘New Zealands’ Last Man,' with Joey Ward as ‘New Zealand’s Last Shilling.’ God Save Samoa! Jimmie Allen, stage manager.”—Memories! ‘‘CHRISTMAS GREETINGS” The boys and girls in that “golden building” which presents a brave side to Trafalgar Place, issued their “Christmas cards’* yesterday to all and sundry. It was an earlier effort this year than last. We cannot say ithat we were altogether pleased with the design of this years card. Not that we were pleased with the design of the one last year, either. The word “exempt ion" has not been brc.'.ght out. in bold enough type and, in consequence, the small figures that have found their way into that column are, well just too, too insignificant. However, we borrow a word from Rotary and apply “service before self’ and accept the cards in that spirit. We feel that the speed with which they have been got out thia year rivals the speed of a motor-boat when its exhaust is wide open; we think the cards are worthy of a place in a flower show, or as an inspiration to Savages, but we would like to be able to take a referee’s whistle and order a few free kicks at somebody, and, in that frame of mind, we’ve got to remember that the man who is overlord of that department is no longer a Wally, he’s a Sid. Whether a Sid should be kicked harder than a Wally we’ll tell you say, two Novembers from now. “Merry Christmas to you, Land and Income Tax Department. May all your Marches ba merry and bright!”