"IT SEEMS LONGER"

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 10, 3 September 1931, Page 6

"IT SEEMS LONGER"

COMPETITIONS INTERLUDE The celebration of the Mrthday of Mr W. Iiutchens, Wanganui, who was judging at the Hawera competitions, gave rise to a verbal duel hetween Mr Iiutchens and Mr H. Harris, the elocution jddge. In the interlude, which was much enjoyed by the audience, Mr Harris got the last word. It probably all began when Mr Harris was judging the impromptu speeches, for which the subject was: "Do married men live longer, or does it only seem longer?" At the conclusion of his comm mts Mr Iiutchens said he had remarked to his colleague that he had passed another milestone in his life during his stay in Hawera and had asked Mr Harris to guess his age. Mr Harris ■had replied that as the music judge had lived a good life he would he well preseryed and 'had given his age as eight years more than it aetually was. When eorrected Mr Harris had expressed the opinion that the other judge must have gone the pace. * , Mr Iiutchens was just leaving th'e stage when Mr F. W. Horner prevented him and handed ihim a hox of cigars which, he said, if the judge did 'not smoke, his friends would. Acknowledging the gift Mr Iiutchens remarked that Mr Harris had been facetious on the open'ing night at his expense over his statement that 'he' had first been in Hawera 35 years ago, insinuating that he was nearing eligibility for the old-age - pension. "Well, I will let you into the •secret," added Mr Hutchens: "to-day is my "birthday You thought I was going to tell you something elsel I will let •you work it out for yourself. It was 35 years since I was flrst in this hall and I was 11 when I came to Hawera." • Mr Harris took the stage immediately and prefaced 'his remarks thus: "I will take 'yon into my confldence (I hope the comm'ittee hear) ; tomoiTOW 'ls my birthday. I a*m 35 years of age. I have been married 45 years and it seems . longer." When the merriment su'bsided Mr Harris proceeded with his comments on the day'-s classes.