OUR AUCKLAND LETTER.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 773, 6 October 1922, Page 2

OUR AUCKLAND LETTER.

STILL GAMBLING. (From-Our Own Correspondent), Auckland. September 29. There is still a good deal of gambling going on in Auckland. 1 am told, in German marks des’pite the fact that the public has been repeatedly warned to let this form off investment severely alone. Not only wifi speculators in this German paper money inevitably lose every penny they invest, but. as a Wellington member remarked in the House last week, “there can oe no greater act of disloyalty than for people to send g< od money out or the country in this way.” These speculators do not stop to think that in baying this rubbish they are simply playing into the hands of the Get mans who are coubt’ess laughing in their sleeves at the gullibility of the “simps” who are content to exchange good money .for bad. NO DANCER NEED APPLY! A man advertised in an Auckland daily paper last week for a wife, but stipulated that the lady must be ■l non-dancer. It would be interesting to know whether he received many —or any—replies. Iff there a're any girls or young women resident in this city who do not d'ance they ought to be exhibited as curiosities. But what could have been the objeqt of the advertiser in insisting that the future partner of his joys and sorrows should not be a dancer ? Possibly he d'oes not dance himself, or perhaps he is of a jealous disposition. or. maybe, like the lady 1 once heard of he does not approve of dancing because his own dancing days are over. The iacly in question iiad a 'daughter and ffhe daughter sought her permission to attend a certain dance, “Certainly not !” snapped mamma, “when I was your age I used to go to dances, and I have seen ffhe folly of it.” “But. mother ” pleaded the young lady, “I want to see the ffolly of it. too.” DOMINION DAY. On Monday last Dominion Day was celebrated in Auckland in the usual half-hearted manner. It was on the 26th June 1907., that New ' Zealand ceased to be a “colony.” and became a “Dominion.” jfhe /range marked the progress of this Brita.m of the South, and was off sufficient importance to warrant Dominion Day being •* observed as a general holiday. But that is, what it never is, The Government offices, the legal and insurance offices all shut up shop. And of course the banks (which never lose a chance to close) follow suit. But the shops, etc., remain wide open, as per usual, and business generally goes on in just the ordinary way. Surely this is not as it should be. Either Dominion Day should be a close public- holiday, oi- it should not be a holiday at ail. Do let us be consistent. WELL DONE, ROTARY ! If the average 1 boy when asked what he thinks he would like to be doesn’t express a preference for the career off a pirate or a bushranger, the chances are that he will say he would like to be a detective. Too, often a youngster, on leaving school is forced -by circumstances to take the first job that offers—which is precisely why there are so many square pegs in round holes everywhere. Consequently lam glad to note that that admirable Institution, the Auckland Rotary Club is interesting itself in this matter, The club proposes to experiment with a number of boys and endeavour to launch them in the careers for which they appear to be best fitted. As the president of the Rotarians remarked in reference to this matter, some boys appear to have a very hazy idea qf the trade, profession, or calling they would like to follow, and the club will offer guidance counsel and advice in such cases. The Auckland Rotary Club has not been very long in existence but appears to be doing excellent work.

AN OVERDUE REFORM. They were discussing what the papers called “a pitiable case,” at my club the other night. This was the case in which if was shown that a married couple both weak-mind-ed, had! brought into the world a large family of weak-minded children, now inmates qf various “homes” and refuges, and whose maintenance and bringing;. up it is estimated will cost the State some £16;000. Well might the Magistrate say that the contracting parties in proposed marriages of this kind should be required to obtain a medical certificate before being permitted to ma'rry. Certainly" they should, and if some people who are not weak-minded!-.—wasters and criminals—were compelled to [follow the same procedure .'iff. might be well, Some day drastic measures to. check “the fertility of the unfit” will be adopted. Then we shall neted fewer reguges., “homes”—and gaols.