The Passing Show.

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19545, 6 April 1935, Page 13 (Supplement)

The Passing Show.

The MATRIMONIAL COLUMNS are always Interesting. Appearing in a leading daily recently was the following: “New Zealander wishes correspond with Pretty Farmer’s Daughter, view to matrimony." Now, of course no one would deny that our farmers are handsome. The outdoor life, is conducive to a fine physique, and there is nothing like the country air for producing a fresh, clear complexion. Of course, to he reasonable, One . realises i that the advertiser was faced with the two-fold problem (a) of negotiating successfully the matter of the possessive and (b) getting as many words for his money as possible. There is the possibility that the latter consideration may even have weighed with, a somewhat sympathetic advertising editor. However, these little deviations from the rules of syntax should not be encouraged, iv absolute ambiguity will result, and we will find ourselves perpetrating such glaring errors as, “If these biscuits are too hard for your dogs, crush them,” or “If you have a dog-kennel, it is well to keep it under cover, or it may make it damp." Anyway, let us hope this youth with the matrimonial aspirations will find the pretty country girl of his dreams and live happily ever after, the even tenor of their lives undisturbed by even the pros and cons of adherence to the rule of proximity. # * w * & April Fools’ Day passed off rather quietly. Apparently the stress of modern life leaves little time f6r practical joking. Apart from the efforts of a few enterprising spirits who succeeded in accomplishing a little legpulling, not much notice was taken of the old custom. “Whatever its origin.,” reports a leading New Zealand journal, “the festival has been honoured with more or less enthusiasm for a good many centuries. At present, in New Zealand,' at any rate, its observance seems to be rather on the wane.” There is no doubt about the inanity of some practical jokes, but nevertheless, the little nonsense now and then relished by the wisest men adds considerably to the zest of life. * * • Certainly, the origin'of All Fools’ Day Is shrouded in mystery. The ponderous volumes of an old encyclopaedia elicit the following:—ln many countries of Europe, as England, France and Germany, the - first of April has for long been appropriated to a facetious custom, for which no very satisfactory origin has been assigned. To send an unsuspecting or ignorant person on some bootless errand is the great endeavour of the day. In Scotland the unfortunate subject of the trick is called a gowk—which has now, though the words were probably at one time different, the meaning both of “fool" and “cuckoo"—and the mischievous errand-sending is “hunting a gowk.” In France the dupe is called poisson d’Avril, or April-fish. One remarkable theory traces the custom to Noah, as sending out his dove on such a quest.

To come nearer our own times, many of our older residents can recount numerous experiences of April Fools' Day. One of the most amusing the writer has heard was enacted during the harvesting operations in the South, when One of the workers who was not particularly bright was selected as the victim and told to take a note to a neighbouring farmer allegedly asking for the loan of a certain part urgently required for the reaping machine. With characteristic meek obedience, the man set off on his message, and was rather surprised when told to proceed to the next homestead. Nothing loath, howev'er, he went, but no better luck was experienced there, and he was compelled to ride further in his quest. The result was that practically the whole morning was spent riding about the Canterbury Plains in search of the spare part, until at last the poor unfortunate happened to become aware that lie had been carrying a piece of paper bearing the inscription, “Send the fool further.”

The increase of crime among adolescents is assuming alarming proportions. Frequently an epidemic of petty thieving may be traced to a gang of uncontrollable youths who have become a real menace to their environment. Residents are almost afraid to go to sleep for fear they will be robbed during their slumbers. No so long ago a local judiciary, convictlpg some of these young rascals, stipulated that he would take a lenient view of their offences if their parents would Insist upon certain discipline, Including attendance at Bible-class —a wise pronouncement. The influence exerted upon the youth of the country by these organisations is surely worthy of more than occasional commendation. Yet, strange to say, when two youths aged nineteen were charged with converting several cars to their own use, evidence showed that they had actually met at a Bible-class. Evidently some young folk take a good deal of reforming!

Comment and Criticism.

(By “Free Lance”).

Life has been considerably enriched bf the invention and improvement of the motion picture. movies have provided excellent entertainment for isolated inhabitants, besides being a valuable source of education to the people in all parts, of the globe. Many of the greatest films have been reproductions of literary masterpieces, which, portrayed by a talented cast, have thrilled and inspired audiences. The revival of the pleasant tales with which they were familiar in their childhood has also given pleasure to a vast public. Yet, sometimes one wishes there were not such a tendency to deviate from the text. For Instance, there are those who do not altogether appreciate a modernised version of some great classic. The writer remembers seeing an adaptation of Thackeray’s “Vanity Fair." In this instance the plot was little altered, but the up-to-date setting seemed quite out of harmony with the theme. One realises that a novel may be quite unsuitable for -the screen without a few minor alterations, but surely these should be reduced to the absolute minimum. To the booklover the characters in fiction are as friends, and When lie renews acquaintance per medium of the screen he is often as disappointed as he might be at beholding' an unsatisfactory portrait of an old acquaintance. • « • * Are you an animated clothes-peg? There are "people who pay suoh scrupulous attention to outward appearance that they are in danger of becoming fops. For example, there Is the typist, who, being about to launch out on the business world, and having heard of the expression “of good address," grows s.o metriculous in the matter of personal adornment that Pitman and Underwood are in danger of being neglected for permanent waves and lipstick. Small wonder if now and then an employer, having failed in his search for a combination of brains and beauty falls back upon an assistant who is plain but capable. Apparently similar problems are faced by ohoir conductors. One would not imagine that there are adults so conscious of the public eye that their usefulness from the musical point of view is jeopardised. But there may be. Anyway, according to Dr. Nicholson, the well-known authority on Church music, there are certainly choir boys who are in danger of becoming mere clothes pegs. Speaking in Dunedin recently, lie expressed himself very forcibly In condemnation of the custom of providing choristors nicely surpliced and with very clean collars, but who are not intended to sing. Proceeding, he stated that volume was often regarded as the test of efficiency. He had heard an organist who, attempting to play with some delicacy, was immediately informed that the organ had cost a lot of money, and if lie did not get more sound out of if someone else would be found whQ could. * * • * The necessity for legislation making tha dehornins: of cattle compulsory was stressed

The necessity for legislation making tha dehorning of cattle compulsory was stressed at the annual meeting of the Otago branch of thff Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. One wonders what objections can possibly be raised to the proposal, provided the operation is conducted In the most humane way. Should any animals prove too refractory to handle perhaps the ■services of a veterinary surgeon might be enlisted and a whiff of ohloroform administered. Sometimes one has to toe cruel tej be kind. Cattle which have not been subjected to the process are not only a souro« of danger to the whole herd, but a menace to human safely. The number of cases of serious injury resulting from encounters with bulls shows an alarming increase, and any .suggestion that may alleviate the position deserves serious consideration. The Government might do worse than adopt the recommendation of the S.P.C.A. The society is a live one, achieving excellent results in the interests of dumb creatures.

The member who stated that the schema might be tried of turning members of Parliament who had not voted for dehorning, ■or the • Government that had not Introduced legislation to enable them to do so into a paddock in which there were fierce cows and fiery bulls and then giving them a racs to the fence must have created a laugh. He proceeded to state that If they felt tha nearness cf the horns and were given soma suggestion of the pangs that the horns might cause, no time would be lost in passing legislation that would make dehorning compulsory. a * * • Some of our elder statesmen, who, on account of the burdens of office have found little time for athletics, would cut rather amusing, if not pathetic, figures as, with dignity thrown to tire winds and coattails flapping in the breeze, they .struggled towards the safely zone, the hot breath of the Infuriated pursuers upon their necks. This might all be done in'the name of kindness to animals, but it would certainly by cruelty to Parliamentarians.