A BUSH ARGUMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1929, Page 8

A BUSH ARGUMENT

The wliarc was situated on the edge of the last remaining hit of native hush. Across the road, and as far as the eye could see, was fallen timber and burnt-off underscrub. A picture of desolation. After tea visitors came from other whares and sat round on the luniks and the floor, smoking and listening to the gramophone. Somebody mentioned daylight saving. Bill, a tall and talkative wiseacre of middle age, who overflowed with -bush lore, delivered himself thus: “Well, of all the crazy, cranky things 1 ever struck 1 think this ideal' o’ changin’ the time the daftest o’ the blooming lot.” George, whose father has a farm, agreed. “ Well,” says' the newcomer. “ 1 think it’s a line tiling to give you an extra hour’s daylight.” “ Don’t he silly! How can anybody give yell more daylight?” asks Bill. “But,” persists their new friend, “it has been working in the Old Country for years and nobody wants it- stopped. Why, T know men who play golf till ten o’clock at night.” “Golf!” yells Bill. “Blime do you play golf? That’s about the daftest game goin’. Golf!” “You don’t know what you arc talking about.” “T don’t want you to come here tollin’ me anythin’ anyhow, jou bloomin’ townie. You’re one o’ these clever jokers that knows everythin’! We’ve had your sort up here before.” Then he subsided.

“ There’s no need to go crook. Wlmt’s your objection to daylight saving? ” asks townie. “ We won’t have none of it, that’s all. Why should we get up half an hour earlier for you ,to play golf, eh? So that’s the end of it so far as I’m concerned. I’m off to bed. Good night. George—golf! ” he jeered, as the door closed. The others followed. “ Bill’s a funny old chap,” said the townie. “ All the same lie’s just about right there. Daylight saving, as they call it, is no good to us.” says George, setting the alarm. “ Oh, well. 1 suppose we had better get to bed,” said the visitor. “ Gee whizz! Ten o’clock! Is that the time, George ? ” “ No, it’s three-quarters or an bout fast, hut it’s the time we work to.” “Why?” “ So we can get home early to cook our dinner and chop our woou.” ,“Ali, 1 see.”

—R.J. in the Auckland R.J. in the “ Auckland Star.”