FROM THE WATCH TOWER

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 79, 24 June 1927, Page 8

FROM THE WATCH TOWER

By the LOOK-OUT MAN .4 SLIGHT MISTAKE There was a very interesting item in a morning paper this v,-eek con cerning the hasty marriage in England, by special licence, of Fred Barnes, the comedian, and Miss Rose Tyson, “the daughter o£ the deceased Australian millionaire, Mr. James Tyson.” Old “Jimmy” Tyson never had a daughter; ■ he was a bachelor. Otherwise the information might be quite correct but for the fact that the marriage never took place, either. DUKE OF YORK’S DIARY The Duke of York is said to have kept a daily diary of his Australian and New Zealand tour, writing it up nightly the last thing before going to bed. Judging by the multitudinous functions thrust upon him, and the \ amount of rush travelling he was forced to do, he must have sat up very late sometimes at his literary labours. One can imagine H.R.H. writing: “Tokaanu. —Up at 4.30 a.m. At 7.30 nearly landed 24-pounder—got away just as about to gaff him. Noon: Landed a 4i-pounder. Elizabeth caught 8-pounder. Also bad cold. This afternoon Mr. Mcllveney put on best uniform. Looked magnificent. Had 17 photographs taken. Wish he would send home 59 of his 60 policemen. Embarrassing—very. Duchess doesn’t like policemen. They stare so!” He had an eye for the humorous, had H.R.H. Unfortunately there were more grievous things to chronicle than had been the case during any Royal tour for many years past. There was a death on the Renown on her voyage to New Zealand, the 1 illness of the Duchess (very serious at one stage, with the danger of grave complications), and. the tragedy of four Australian airmen being killed in the presence of the Duke and Duchess. But it was a great tour, and the Duke’s diary will be beyond any intrinsic value in the years to come. TAUMARUNUI " KICKS ” The scant respect paid to the “dry” laws in the King Country is sufficient evidence that those laws are not popular with the people of that area. Travellers to Taumarunui, for instance, will always give a wicked wink when friends who see them off by train commiserate with them on their prospective enforced abstinence. Despite frequent prosecutions for sly-grog selling, alcohol flows into Taumarunui almost as freely as does the Wanganui River, though, unlike the Wanganui, it doesn’t flow out again. And, in addition to the “stuff” that is imported, the Taumarunui people are no mean brewers, and any number of the faririers out from the town have their own little plants for turning out homebrew. It is beer with a “kick,” too. That is why those who adventure into the district wink when they are warned of its "dryness.” But though, as the Mayor of Taumarunui says, “people would be astounded if they knew the amount of liquor coming into' the King Country under the existing law,” the pretty little tourist town is greatly hampered by the lack of a licensed hotel —a condition that keeps many people away from it. The Taumarunui Borough Council is appealing to the Prime Minister to allow the people of the King Country a referendum on the licensing question. It is a fair request.

VON LUCKNER Harsh things were said about German methods of fighting during the Great War, but even his foes admired the dashing enterprise and the chivalry of Count Felix Von Luckner. The daring escape of the See Adler’s commander from his internment on Motuihi Island, where he had been brought from Fiji after his capture by the Hill party, will not soon be forgotten by Aucklanders. Von Luckner now has a job which must seem ,ery prosaic to one of his enterprising temperament. He is skipper of the fullrigged ship, Vaterland, which is sailing round the world, exhibiting German goods. Von Luckner improves the shining hour by lecturing on the war, from the German point of view. Should he come to Auckland, this former enemy will be assured of a hearty personal welcome. “MANNERS MAKYTH MAN ” Canon Archdall’s public statement that "it is vitally important we should cease to be hoodwinked by optimistic phrases about current education” will be appreciated by all who agree with him that "education to-day is a ladder of competency, when it ought to be a ladder to the fullness of life.” As Canon Archdall pointed out, cultural subjects are not popular. This aspect of education was being discussed by two men in a suburban train this morning, when a boy opened the door, entered the carriage—and left the door open behind him, thus admitting clouds of engine-smoke and gusts of cold wind. “Go back and shut that door!” ordered one of the conversationalists. The lad obeyed, very sulkily. “That’s one of the things they don't .teach nowadays,” observed the man. “What’s that?” queried the other, endeavouring to rejoin the broken thread of argument. "Manners 1— replied the other.