NEWS BY MAIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1924, Page 4

NEWS BY MAIL.

NICKNAMES. LONDON, Jan. 2S Everybody can appreciate the prefix of “Dusty” to the name of Miller, but why should a man named Clark be expected to answer to the call of “Nobby?” Writing to the Daily Mail, Mr J. P. Bacon Phillips, of Bexhill, refers to the “insoluble problem” presented by the reason for such nicknames as “Wiggle Bennett, “Shiner” Alright, “Fincher Martin, “Buck” Taylor, and “Knocker” White—all of which are current in the Navy.

Another correspondent points out that every Wilson he knows is nicknamed “Tug,” every Smith “Smudger,” every Parker “Nosey,” every Murphy “Spud,” and every Sullivan “Spike” —but nobody knows why.

The Encyclopaedia Britannica does not hazard any solution but contents itself with the statement: Nickname. —A name given to a person in addition to his personal names, Christian and surname, as a playful or familiar form of address or as a mark of ridicule, contempt, or hatred. It adds that the word “nick” has been evolved from the Middle English “noko” or “eke”—meaning added or also.

THE PRINCE AND COMMERCE LONDON, Jan. 28

The Prince of Wales, who has the London University degree of Master of Commerce, presented at the .Mansion House yesterday prizes won in the London Chamber of Coiumeice examinations.

He said commercial education was essential in a commercial nation which desired to make progress in the niaikets of the world, more especially today, when competition among nations was very keen. Commerce was no longer a haphazard affair, but called now for a cultured intellect and a great power of mental concentration. The old rule ot thumb methods were out of date, and must bo replaced by elaborate scientific and technical study.

To the voluntary work of Hie Commercial Education Committee of Clio London Chamber of Commerce history would attribute the creation of that system of commercial education which led up lo the degrees in commerce conferred by some universities, one of which he was very proud to bold.

THE BLONDE BANDIT. NEW YORK, Jan. 27

The latest exploit of New lurks girl bandit with bobbed blonde hair and sealskin coat is the capture ot a lorry loaded with £2OO worth of sugar.

She had the assistance this time of three men, two of whom, aiming thenrevolvers at the driver of a motor-lorry in Brooklyn last evening, forced him to take a scat beside her in an expensive motor-car.

She pressed the muzzle of her own revolver, which she carried hidden under her furs, against the side of the kidnapped driver and gently inlormecl him that lie would be a dead man ii he attempted to escape. The victim later described his experiences to the poilce.

He states that as the lorry, driven by one of the woman’s confederates, disappeared from view amid the traffic she maintained a running fire ol

conversation, saying as they sped through the crowded streets, “It’s a rotten day—beastly for bandits, and worse for lorry drivers.” A few minutes later she added gaily, “Don’t look so sour. You make me think of the police. AYhat’s the use of worrying about vour old truck? Tt will be better weather to-morrow, and you will find it somewhere without a scratch when we have done with it.’’ She finally deposited her victim on a lonely road on the outskirts of Brooklyn.