LADY SMOKERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 391, 19 March 1908, Page 4

LADY SMOKERS.

New York, January 22. Since New Year’s Eve, when the Cafe Martin, in New York, removed the ban upon ladies smoking, the question of the feminine cigarette has never been allowed to rest. It was the alleged wicked example of Loudon and Paris which certain proprietors here cited as an excuse for repealing the prohibition. To tell the truth, there has been less smoking in public restaurants ol late than usual, but the Board of Aldermen, which bosses New York, took the question up, and decided by a big majority, to pass the ordinance of little Tim Sullivan, making it a misdemeanour for proprietors of public places to allow women to smoke. Alderman Brown, a Republican, was the only member who showed opposition. Since, however, the corporation counsel has declared that it is altogether unconstitutional and ultra vires for aldermen to pass any such ordinance, nobody cares a jot for what they have done.

It is. certain that American women, if they were really prohibited from puffing cigarettes behind their fans, would rise in their wrath and speedily squelch the Board of Aldermen or any other Board. Mr Brown, in the debate recently, said that Tim Sullivan merely introduced the ordinance in order to get even with a restaurant, which refused him a table ou New Year’s Eve. This insinuation the immaculate Sullivan hotly denied, adding, “Brown is the best-qualified man for the Ananias Club I know.” American women are not so much devoted to cigarettes as European ladies, and it was in the foreign cafes alone where the proprietors here made a move towards laxity. The Cafe Martin withdrew the privilege of smoking for ladies after one day’s trial, and others followed this example. In the most fashionable . restaurants the question has never seriously been raised. Ladies could smoke if they liked, and- if anybody objected, there was always a private room.

An interesting fact in connection with an old “world’s championship” sculling match concerning the communication of the result in New Zealand, is related by a Mastertoniau, who was a telegraph operator in the Wellington General Post Office at the time. It was one of the races between Beach and Hanlan, rowed on the Paramatta river (New South Wales) some twenty years ago, and the Chief Postmaster had instructed that when the news was about due all other work should be suspended. The telegraph operators eagerly waited at their instruments for the receiving machine to “click” out the intelligence. There was great excitement in the office over the event, as, indeed, there was everywhere, and all nerves were strained waiting to catch the first “ click.” It was a “b,” and the delighted operators waited for no more. A score of machines instantly flashed “Beach” to all corners of the country, and the result was known everywhere practically before the winner’s boat had pulled up—ra smart piece of cable and telegraphic work.

To Flaxmii^brs. —We are prepared to print the new tin and leathet regulation tags for hemp bales, and would request millers to inspect samples of leather before placing orders for same. Inferior leather will be condemned by the department. We hold samples and invite inspection.-—The Herald Printery. : Ths days of disagreeable, harsh medicines are past, ond Chamberlain’s Tablets (op (he poll as the most pleasant to take, mildest gentlest in effect, safest and surest in their result, Try them next time you need a purgative and you will be more than pleased For sale at Messrs Gardner and Whib ley's, Grocers, Foxtou,