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West Coast Times, 12 April 1912, Page 1

Tims a correspondent:—Let me 101 l a little story about a well-known journalist, who, by the way, is not unknown i.i New Zealand. Years ago, when he was young and fresh from school (when our grammar lies thick upon ns) he obtained employment on a Sydney daih, as a junior reporter, One day he icceivcd a noto in blue pencil from the news editor—“ Please see me.” He wont into the news editor’s room in fear and trembling, for a “ blue paper ” was a thing to be dreaded in that office ! The editor had a copy of that morning’s paper open in front of him, with one sentence underlined with blue pencil—“ None of the officers was present.” “Did you write that,” ho asked. “Yes, s ; r!” “It’s very bad grammar—very bad. Mow did you come to make such a slip as that < ” The young reporter read the sentence —road it twice—thrice —and ho could see nothing wrong with it. “ What is the matter with it, sir ?” he asked timidly. “What is the matter with it P”' thundered the news editor. “Why you saw ‘none of the officers “was” present,’ instead of ‘were,’ Officers is plural and takes ‘ wore,’ of course.” The youth began to argue it. “ The subject' is not ‘ officers,’ ” he said, “but ‘none’—‘not one ’ of the officers was present.” The news editor glared at him. “ Don’t let it occur again,” he said, “or the consequences may be serious.” There is a sequel to the story, which I had from the reporter himself. Ho wrote to Professor MacCallum, of the Sydney University, for his opinion of the sentence, stating that ho desired to settle an argument. The Professor’s reply was “ ‘None of the officers was present ’ is absolutely correct.” The young man debated for two days as to whether he should show the professor’s answer to the news editor, hut in the end he decided against it He had just enough experience of the world at the time to know that seme things are never forgiven. He works on another newspaper now, so he will not mind my publishing the story, though ho has a very high opinion of Ids old nows editor. “ A great journalist ” he calls him—“the man with Iho best nose for news in Australia. And the chances are that most of the readers of the paper thought it was bad grammar.”

THE BEST MUSTARD IS DOLMAN’S. Xtnv that the season that drapery sales are on, it behoves all careful house'.vivcs to the advantage of tha occasion. Messrs Schroder and Co., are now ready with their great clearing sale—every line subject to the fash ion’is thoroughly reduced in price—which will effect a speedy clearance. On the next page will bo seen some of tin bargain prices offering. Ccme early before the pick is gone.

Our ladies costumes, made to measure, start from 635. Wo have- a splendid range of new tweeds to show you and ask for our book of styles, we shall give you nothing but the latest at Wm. J. Pritchard, Hampden Street.

Although the ambitious grovdier may win his way to a high position, it is hardly desirable that positions of trust and responsibility should be reserved for persons who are content to sacrifice their natural dignity and independence. Candidates for parliamentary honours must bo ast ductible as lead and as soft as putty if (hey would make their chance at all secure. —Dunedin “Star.”

The Westport-Stockton Coal Comf pany has nearly completed a chain of bores required to. link up the lower seam with the outcrop, and thus definitely prove the area which is coal bearing. Tho second last bore, which is in tho most important position, shows the seam to be Bft thick and of standard quality. One of the bore?, which lias just been completed, shows a seam of coal 18ft thick. Both seams are of splendid quality. Mr. Ashley Hunter, of Auckland, is now engaged preparing a tram for the new road to connect with tho present transit system. The newly-proved eastern area lias very great possibilities.

When winter’s cold blast Is afeared by all tongues. ACACIAN LUNG BALSAM is Best for the lungs, fake a close now and then, The remedy is sure, for coughing if left, is Not easy to cure. Ban a dough’s Aenei.rn Luna Balaam The latest at TV. McKay and Son’s. Just opeied—from London—the now golf blousings in navy, green, cream, nil etc., etc., per yard lOd. Specials in white and stripe flannelettes, 6d, Bd, and 9d per yard. The now sheetings, tho new- blankets—all at New Zealand’s lowest prices, always. TV. McKay and Sen., Loading Drapers, Hokitika and Greymouth.—Advt.