NEAR AND FAR

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 109, 30 December 1931, Page 4

NEAR AND FAR

Gandhi Shocked The saintly Gandhi blushed beneath his pigment and returned most depressed from a smart West End reception, where some evening gowns ■ caused the holy man to keep his eyes lowered to the ground. He told the Manchester "Guardian" that Indians would be shocked to see women walking the streets Ijalf nude, like Londoners. "Where?" asked the "Guardian." "Well, say three-quar-ters nude," replied Gandhi, with the air of making a great coneession. "Surely not in the streets!" objeeted the "Guardian." "Well, in the music halls," replied Gandhi, irritably cfosing the discussion. Strajage Tribal Beliefs According to Professor Agnes Donohugh the exchange for local trade by members of a Luba tribe in Katanga is a woven square of grass cloth. "Musical instruments include drums and a small 'piano' which every man or boy carries about with him and plays as he walks. Labour chants accompany every form of activity. Widows are 'washed of the death of their hushands,' rubbed in red clay and clothed in a new garment. It is believed by the tribe that lightning is an animal in the sky, and that it has four feet, ears, and a long tail, and catches people, kills them and carries fire in its mouth. Thunder is the storm 'melting' in the heavens, and a rainbow eats the storm and is a snake." Typists' "Howlers" It is not always children who make "howlers." Grown-ups are sometimes responsible for queer slips in knowledge and orthography. Here are a few specimens of errors by typists: A gentleman in Sussex was recently considerably surprised to receive, . in reply to a business communication, a typed letter which finished with the line: "I have now put the mater in order." Instead of describing a room as finished with 9in. skirting, a girl employed by a London architect typed "9in. shirting." Shortly afterwards she described a structure as composed of "pie-crust concrete," instead of pre-cast conerete. The following letter was -dictated to a typist in a solicitor's office : "Dear Sir, — I enclose an order for your examination." When the letter was typed, it read: "Dear Sir, — I enclose an order for your execution." An old West Country solicitor prized an envelope he received from the Bank of England. They had sent him some papers and had enclosed a typed addressed foolscap envelope for their return. To his astonishment the envelope was addressed: "The Thief Accountant, Bank of England, E.C.2."

Chlef Tinerau's Speech In acknowledging the greetings of the Poverty Bay Maoris at Poho-o-Rawiri, the Rarotongan chief, Makea Tinerau, spoke slowly and at times gave an impression that public speaking was not without its trials for him. The explanation lies, probably, in the fact that in his own land, Tinerau seldom makes a direct address, even in tribal gatherings. It is the custom for chieftains of the Cook Islands to employ official orators, who, enjoying the full confidenee of their respective chiefs, are charged with the responsibility of expressing their views and of composing fitting oral contributions to all debates in which their chiefs figure. The custom is one that furnishes jentirely satisfactory results to all concerned, and sets a high standard of vocal expression among the islanders. ! Prisoners On Road-making j _ Prisoners are at present engaged J in making a deviation on the Nai tional Park-Tokaanu road, which will I do away with many sharp turns and ; will also eut out a steep approaeh and a hairpin bend leading to the j bi'i'dge over the Maungahouhounui j stream. This new bridge is practi- | cally finished, and the deviation ! should be open for traffic within the jnext few months. One of the prisonf ers escaped last week-end, and as far j as is known has not yet been recapi tured.- — "Wanganui Herald." 1 Empire Propaganda "Made in Great Britain for New Zealand. New Zealand sent us this order. Buy New Zealand produce." A ticket bearing these words and emblazoned with the New Zealand fiag and the British ensign was attached to cargo which arrived in Gisborne from the Homeland recently. It is part of the Empire Marketing Board's propaganda. Awoke from Frozen Sleep Lt.-Colonel Sir Reginald Rankin, a great traveller, said to have been the only man known to science who awoke after having been frozen to sleep, died recently at Bryngwyn, near Hereford, England, at the age of 60. In 1902 he climbed Mount Aconeagua (23,080 feet), on the border of Argentina and Chili, and on his descent was overtaken by a blizzard at altitude of 20,000 Feet, where he was frozen to sleep. Later, after terrible experiences, he got to safety, and his toes were subsequently amputated. Sir Reginald began travelling at an early age, and while in India shot the biggest snow leopard on record. When the South African war broke out he joined Rimington's Guides as a trooper, and was promoted lieutenant for btavery in the field. He acted as a war correspondent in Morocco in 1908, and with the Bulgarian forces in 1912. Another Glimpse of Sunshine Glimpses of sunshine that appear from time to time in these dark days are always welcome and another one has just made its appearance. The proprietor of a Dunedin manufacturing concern has been so pleased with the year's oper.ations that last week he restored to members of his staff the 10 per cent. cut in wages which was made last June.