WHOLESOME (?) LITERATURE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 338, 27 September 1932, Page 6

WHOLESOME (?) LITERATURE

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READER.

(To 'the Editor.) Sir, — As an occasional reader in the public library I would like to suggest that a few notices be placed upon the tables,' worded somewhat after this j manner: — "Please do not expectorate upon the magazines." 'It is rather appalling that such notices should be necessary in this enlightened age, but such is the case. While U'ying to read at one of the tables recently, I observed that out of seven readers four were persistently salivating upon their fingers as they turned pages. One gentleman loudly licked two unwashed figures no less than fourteen times while rattling over the pages of one magazine. I wondered whether he was trying to collect all the germs he could find, as a child licks its finger to collect sugar, or whether he wished to distribute an even supply in 'every page for the next reader. So fascinated was I by the weird process that I found myself watching to see when he would, by much licking reduoe the ebony decoration of his nails. During the same half hour two dogs accompanied their owners into the room, and, making themselves at home under the tables, proceeded to rout out fleas, the while a tatterdemalion lad, who had evidently loaned his handkerchief, lit a cigarette and threw matches upon the floor. When my attention finally returned to my own magazine I noticed that it was an old back number, and, suddenly realising that I was holding in my hand a veritable cemetery of germs, I placed it tenderly upon the table and made my departure as quietly as was possible and endaavoured lo out-distance some of those germs. — T nm p.tc...

Rotorua, bept. 2b.