The Passing Show

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20693, 31 December 1938, Page 13 (Supplement)

The Passing Show

COMMENT AND CRITICISM

(By “Free Lance”)

MUD WRESTLING has come to Sydney. Charming and fascininating sport, this. The principle should be extended to other sports. For instance, what price a string of crackers tied to tennis racquets? Bowls could be dipped in treacle to enliven the game and Stuart-crystal candlesticks might make an effective substitute for cricket stumps. Swimming baths, too, could be filled with ink or tomato juice. Personally I incline to the former. Never let it be said our sport is deteriorating. • • • • Our neighbours sang “Silent Night” at Christmas but it was hardly appropriate. “What I have done others could do,” stales Lord Nuffield. Some of us would not sniff at the opportunity. * • * * Overheard at the motor camp: “Is that your trailer over there?” “No, the wife’s gone shopping.” Interesting to speculate whether 1939 will be a triumph for Nazi shirts or British shorts. • * • • I am credibly informed that the safetyfirst notice “Alert To-day—Alive Tomorrow” posted in a butcher’s shop-window does not refer to the merchandise inside. At the. New Year party a schoolboy howler was told. To the question who was Francis Drake the young hopeful answered “a friend of Donald Duck.” While in America, a cable stated, Mr Stanley Bruce will have his ear to the ground. This should be difficult if he is sitting on the fence. • * • • Sir Harry Batterbee, who has been appointed British High Commissioner in New Zealand, was described by Mr Malcolm MacDonald as “carefully selected champagne of excellent vintage.” New Zealanders can only reply that their hobby is beer. • • * • That was extraordinary news from Spain just before Christmas. Both parties were said to have reached a stalemate and there was no fighting. Doubtless the Non-Inter-vention Committee will try and get the position back to normal.

As one Mexican remarked to the other: “Have you made your New Year revolution yet ? ” Recent advertisement for a film: “ It*a colossal; it’s stupendous; it’s the greatest show on earth.” It might even be worth seeing. Reported that some public works employees flew from Great Barrier Island to Auckland for their holidays. It will be news when we hear of public works employees flying back after their holidays. • • * a Well If the weather is half as good at New Year as it was at Christmas it should be about as quarter as good as it would be if it was what it ought to be (or words to that effect). • • • * One of the worst trials for punters over Christmas seemed to be trying to pronounce the name of the Auckland Cup winner, though quite a few I have met would like to forget the 7 entire incident. Racing announcer at IYA settled the argument (or did he?) with Sheeval dee Voalee. IMPROBABLE HAPPENINGS IN 1939 Mr Semple joins the Communist Party. B.M.A. president lays foundation-stone lor new social security offices. Baron de Rothschild donates £500,000 to the Nazi “Strength Through Joy” movement. The Hamilton Borough Council holds another poll on Garden Place Hill. Shirley Temple resolves to be her age. Overseas visitor speaks his mind about Hamilton. Farmers’ Union and Watersiders’ Federation organise a combined dinner. Mr Chamberlain is photographed without his umbrella. It is fine for Christmas. Britain’s armament expenditure fails to break all records. Waikato dairy farmers are delighted with (a) the weather, (b) the guaranteed price, (c) things in general. You strike Tatts. * “Free Lance” strikes Tatts.