IN MERRY MOOD

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1932, Page 3

IN MERRY MOOD

THREE NOTED YORKSIII REMEN

SOME AFTER-DINNER STORIES

LONDON, April 4/"

“Yorkshire Night” at the Press Club was a night of continuous laughter, for three "reight gooid Yorkshei' lads”—-Lord Harewood, Lord Snowden, and Mr J. B. Priestly—were in a jovial mood and told many g° o -* stories. Indeed, as one who was present remarked, “Lord Snovyden. gave the lie direct to his so-called ‘iron’ spirit, bv revealing himself, as the merriest of all the speakers, although tlie Earl of Harewood ran him a good second.”

Lord Harwood was charged with a message from the 1 Vim-ess Royal, it was: Toll them not to bother liie. any more. (Laughter). - s

“That,” he explained, “arose in .this way. For eight., years we lived , at Golcl s boroiigh, and whenever Princess Alary came to London, even if only for a few hours, a report appeared in the newspapers stating that .during her absence her sitting room was being clone up in a new style of blue, , : aml that she was spending her time' .in London choosing blue paper. . ; ; .

“Gentlemen, he? sitting ~i;ot;ny at Goldsbqrough was panelled oak.” (Loud laughter.). After inviting “all who had paid their -income tax” to take-ivfntr-with hiil), Lord Snowden told.-: Yorkshire stories- galore,, while his. audience shouted, for more. .

A'southern schoolmistress,' lie related who went to Yorkshire, did not like their way of saying “patten” instead of “put,” hut she became muddled and said, “Tom ha s patten put- 1 ten where he should have putten put.l’: Then there was the Yorkshireman with his faulty on the train, but without any tickets. However, lie just went into the next compartment, said “Tickets, please”—and got plenty! ■-

Lord Snowden said he knew a story of Lord Harewoods father that wag “aood enough to bo true.” A tenant who was a “character” came to see the Harewoods in London, and" was invited in where some guests were’ having dinner. He described what the animals on the estate were doing, and was asked about one pig. “Oh,” said the old man, “the sow has had a litter' of pigs, and one o’ t’ littl't beggars sits up and watches t’ others batin’ their meals, just t’ same as I’m Aidin’' now.” ' ’ ; i. Lord Snowden said he did not quite know where Sheffield “stood” in Y orksliire, or which p'-irt claimed it, but he knew a story of a Sheffield . Van whose doctor told him lie must, give up whisky or go blind. The- man thought for a minute and then saict: Well, I’ve seen'all’there is to 5ee.....,, Another of Lord Snowden’s stories, width ’h<> said was an excellent speci-, men ,of Yorkshire., wit, concerned a -man -whose- pet,., pony died. When .asked how he died the man said to the manager: I happened to he looking at my pay sheet and I saw the pony looking over niy shoulder... A Yorkshireman “cheering up” a dying friend remarked as lie went but: Oil, hut this will he an awkward staircase to get a coffin down. “1 have, often boon criticised by you, gentlemen, for my pronunciation of certain words,” lie said and proceeded to deal with a word he had had much to do with—Budget. Tstend of saying, i,s Alet-adent southerners said. “Budget.” t'k York-' shiremen said “ Boojot.” “Who is going to toll me ‘Boojot’ is wrong? he asked. “T stand by ’Boojot l . ’ ’’

Air .T. B. Priestly decla red ' that.' it cost him another £SOO every time a Chancellor of the Exchequer says easterly uwale.ra.tie wind's. Weather “Boojet.”