LITTLE JOURNEYS THROUGH PARADISE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 24, 26 March 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

LITTLE JOURNEYS THROUGH PARADISE.

(No. 8.)

(Rights Reserved.)

By Jas. H. Stevens.)

Brevity.—Would that we could write in language aptly named by {Jeorge Du Maurier "Telegraphese' and convey the thoughts which clamour for expression, briefly, as though they cost a penny a word on that "live wire" stretching out between my sympatetic reader and me. It is quite safe however to say that in twenty-five years or sooner newspapers will be published in shorthand or kinemato and eventually all will be taught to read by pictures alone as did our forefathers four thousand years ago. Flowers.—An artistic guide to the native flora, now out of print, is procurable only at a cost of about £6. It exceeds in beauty and literary attractiveness the fine but little known " volumes, of Mr. and Mrs. Featon on N.Z. flowers. It is introduced thus eloquentlyFair is the bird on lustrous wings, And stars thro all nights silent hours; But first—of all created things— In wondrous beauty, stand the flowers." From it I find their Lehua Is our Rata, leie is Kiekie, Ohai is Nohal Ngutu Kaka, and Aalu is Akeake. Seeds.—Many florists were visited with the object of obtaining Hawaiian seeds; but quite without success; why this Is so, seems to me an enigma, but it should not surprise us when we remember that in our own country, though there would be a good demand, it is scarcely possible to buy seeds of our own beautiful but common native shrubs, trees and flowers. Will some enterprising man make the suggestion bear fruit —or seed. Libraries. —This land abounds In

really splendid educational and other such institutions. The Public Libraries are something of which they may justly speak with pride—one alone has a subsidy of 10,000 dollars a year from the local governing body. Two books at a time may be taken out free of all charge. Their decimaJ catalogue system on cards is a revelation. A reader after a few months experience may actually know with-

out reference the number of any book among the many thousands on the shelf provided he already knows enough to mentally classify it in its proper division or subdivision. To me this is entirely new and seems very simple. It is known as the Dewey decimal system. Some few of our public libraries are ahead of them in the system of issue and return without entries, that is by means of the card interchange. It was disappointing not to be able to see that great American library invention, the Cotgreave Indicator, which, by means of small shutters operated by electric buttons, tells one at a glance whether

the book he seeks is in or out. The children's story section and their picture book room are charming fea-

tures. This small community cannot possibly use its unusual proportion of churches, libraries and schools to the full capacity for another 50 years. All such buildings here are on a magnificent scale. The churches at least are obviously not transgressing the law in regard to air space. Most of them use soloists or brass bands to attract their people. The King's palace now used for

State purposes, is a handsome structure built by King Kalakaua. The throne room is used by the House of Representatives of 30 members and the dining room by the Senate of 15 members. There are many handsome life-sized portraits on the walls, among which are Louis Napoleon's and Louis Phillipe's presented by

them to Kalakaua. Some of these show the bullet marks of the local revolution of 1895. The theatres are a poor class of building, but roomy and ventilated, as they would need be. One may sit in the stalls with full view of a small banana plantation in the open on either side. The men smoke beside their ladies; but the audience puts us to shame in their gentle orderly de meanour. All seats and tickets are numbered, and each aisle may thus be filled in rotation, making no confusion, pushing past for seats or early morning queues. Adornments.—The daintiness of American stock jewellery being remarked by us, a jeweller pointed out that the British law required every link of a chain and every part of the most delicate silver or gold article to be defaced by an indented hall mark. In America the device of the maker and the carat number of one part suffices, especially as any false warranty is punished by "penitentiary." Some curious signs and notices are exhibited. One popular medico displays a hanging board like that of an old English hostelry "Dr. Ketchum Seldom Inn." The king's tomb gives the feeling of his peaceful sleep by the Maori words "Ka Moi," over its portal. The railway crossing notices are ahead of ours in comprehensive brevity, "Stop, Look, Listen." The few places interdicted show the brief and expressive Hawaiian word 'Kapu," keep out, or sacred. The most striking "sign" which could be conceived consists of 2000 coloured electric lamps in the beautiful trees surrounding Pleasanton hotel A prosperous club has the significant title "Wahine Kapu" possibly as a warning to the suffragette to keep out. '

Many queer customs are met witti In most shops every counter has a brief imperative notice that each purchase, however small, must be O.K d ' by the inspector before beins removpfl.

Their love f or brevity is shown In the regular omission of the word 'street" af f Pr t]ip name of pach T]^g their thoroughfares are described as King. Queen. High, etc. They give the years thus, "eighteen hundred fourteen, omitting the conjunction The bargain lover has her tastes whetted in the way that is new to most of our traders. At intervals there appears a bargain window available seven days ahead, wherein is shown all kinds of attractive articles marked with ordinarv and bargain prices. The rush when the time comes is equal to a theatrical excitement. Each house has its buyer in the East, where fashions are made m that they keep right ahrenst of that tickle dame.

A preat American said that the only distinction between the sexes in his country, was that the one not in»o its crarments head first and the other didn't. Now we understand: for on nurchasing a new shirt, we find f.o'our delight it cart be put on like ~ f . f . nt Henceforth there sr.;,M be'no strufr-

gle for New Zealand's suffering men entering into their starched garments to the discomfiture of hair and eyeglasses. We will use the scissors on all old stocks. It is the obvious that escapes us all our lives. "Agent for sale of marriage licenses" is the device on a card before me—with a view to the prospects of younger members of our party it was ascertained that the charge is 4/2 for a license; and that there is no fixed charge for a magistrate or clergyman who performs the ceremony. According to our informant "The abuse of this system has assumed the proportions of the tipping scandal in Europe." The Senate therefore contemplate making a legal charge for such services. Up to this year the license agent could also marry, but this resulted in having a Gretna Green at every corner and it was withdrawn. The legal age is 15 for females and 18 for males, but girls under IS and men under 20 require to obtain legal consent of parent or guardian. In our country anyone under 21 must obtain consent and the charge is £1 2s 6d for license (or certificate as we call it) and £1 2s 6d for marriage and copy of entry. An announcement in the news column of the morning paper reads, "Any householder troubled with mosquitoes, please notify mosquito office, 'phone 3095, and the matter will be attended to free of charge. Horses. —Though the first horses came to this country in 1820, they now breed a splendid class, one breeder, Miss Thelma Parker, a Hawaiian lady has imported the best blood in the world, and has over 10,000 horses on her ranch in her own small island near here. Many of these are bought by the U.S. Army stationed here. Though it is a hot climate the horse develops splendidly and they don't need racing "to improve the breed." One man who works both horses and mules, says the mule is at least fifty per cent better than any horse in the matter of docility, work, and keep. He does not understand why the New Zealand ploughman has not recognised this. They run highlybred blood horses in their cabs in Honolulu, and it delights the horse lover to see, heavier boned, but even more aristocratic animals than those on a Colonial race course. Baseball is the national game"; and it evokes more enthusiasm from men, women and children than our football. A game eminently calculated to foster the true play spirit and to develop manly qualities. None being out of play for long periods as in cricket it is especially suited to our temperate climate. I hope to see within a few years international baseball matches with New Zealand. Surely some of our dispirited cricket clubs will take it up. Surfers.—Every day and all day may be seen "old or young or only middling" bathing or shooting the surf on a board as it rolls shoreward in beautiful curves. If Walt Mason could see them he would say, "Thus they flash thro space in a whirling race, and a smother of salt sea spray, and the sea laughs by, and the great blue sky, both call their roundelay." It is quite easy when you learn. The beginner succeeds wonderfully, but with him the board generally comes ashore on top.