WORRYING TIMES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 459, 17 February 1933, Page 7

WORRYING TIMES

FOG AND 'FLU INTERFERE WITH ENGLISH SPORTING FIXTURES. BOOM IN FO.RTUNE-TELLING. London, Saturday. Fog, 'flu and football monopolise the attention of the millions in these islands to-day. Of course, there is cricket also— -with hour to hour details of the test match in Australia occupying endless columns in the newspapers. But fog and 'flu have an immediate effect on the plans of a million soccer fans who look for an exciting Saturday afternoon [at 32 cup tie matches in all parts of the country, marking the third round of the Football Association Cup. Soccer matches have had to be cancelled in many places in. the last few days owing to persistent fog, and this morning London groped its way to work with a greyish yellow blanket smothering everything. Street lights burned everywhere, suburban trains were held up, and every automobilist had tales to tell of smashes seen or narrowly avoided. Not for month's has transport and recreation of all kinds suffered such disorganisation as during this week. As to the 'flu, the worst epidemic for many years is sweeping Britain. Thousands were shocked at the news that Miss Winifred Spooner, the courageous young airwoman, had died. How devastating is the present onslaught of the disease may be judged from the fact that, in London alone, 500 telep'hone girls and 1800 postmen are down with it. The law courts are f eeling the effects severely, for several judges and many members of the court staffs are ill, and even the labours of the high and mighty judicial committee of the Privy Council are interrupted. Fortunately, the present form of the disease is usually milder than in some former years. One business, at least, seems to be experiencing a boom as the result of these worrying times. Foi*tune-tel-lers of all kinds are said to be reaping a rich harvest from anxious people who want to know when better times will come. In every large town in the country, it is said, crystal gazers, palmists and alleged astrologers are making fortunes out of the de1 pression. In ^ondon there are for-tune-tellers employing large staffs to deal with the rush of clients. Horoscopes at all hours from one pound to a shilling are advertised. All you > have to do is to send the date of ' your birth and a stamped envelope ■and all your doubt of the 'future will j be resolved.