FROM THE WATCH TOWER

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 207, 21 November 1927, Page 8

FROM THE WATCH TOWER

By

“THE LOOK-OUT MAN”

THE MILD REBUKE In one of tile branches of the Railway Department there is a Head Serang who has a way of liis own when delinquent or apathetic employees are brought before him to be dealt with. “Now you look a brilliant young chap,” says the H.S. (Young man expands chest, straightens spine, smiles faintly in self-deprecation, and casts a modest eye on the floor). “You are the sort of young chap that should go far in the service,” says the H.S., in a tone of kindly and cogitative appraisement. (Young man blushes, rubs left ankle with right toe, then right ankle with left toe —what visions!). “If,” continues the H.S. (and his voice changes timbre and becomes hard and menacing), “if you pay attention to your work and do it properly. But if you don’t (voice thunderous), it’s not far in the service you’ll ~0, but far out- of it—and mighty damfast, too!” Then the dazed youth is led back to liis desk. It is said that a second interview with the H.S. is never necessary. THE ART OF THE RING Mere actors and film stars must feel abashed by the rebuke of the intellectual Mr. Tunney, aristocrat of the ring. Mr. Tunney, world’s champion smiter, visited President Coolidge at White House, and was told by the President that he looked more like a film actor than a prize-fighter. When assured that Tunney would not go on the stage or sign a film contract, Mr. Coolidge seemed to be favourably Impressed. Nothing so vulgar as the stage or the screen for Mr. Tunney. The pure art of the ring for Mr. Tunney. The elevating, enobling, men-tally-stimulating, spiritually-strength-ening entertainment of “stoush” for Mr. Tunney. He has a righteous contempt for the degrading drivel of Shakespeare, and the art of the film is anathema to him. He refuses to appear as Hamlet or to play Sidney Carton in the film adaptation of “The Tale of Two Cities.” There are more dollars to he made by pounding the features of a man and a brother in the prize ring. THE SUN BATHERS Victims are easily obtained at the commencement of every summer. They go gaily to the seaside, filled with the urge of the open air, and their minds rehearsing what they have read of the strengthening effect of sun and wind upon bodies enervated by sedentary occupations. Blithely they bathe, then bask like cats in th,e sunshine, but without the cat’s protective fur. Shoulders a little sore on the way home —nothing to speak about; so splendid to give the skin some sun after the long winter! A little olive oil will ease that slight burning sensation. Comes night, and with the night come blisters, groans, sleeplessness, and imprecations on sea, sand and sun. To-day there are hundreds of people going about in clothed misery, starting in terror from the friendly hand that would grip them by their chafed arms or pat them heartily on their blistered hacks. But it is only a two-days’ torment in most cases (though some blister for a week) —just sufficient to make their sun-cure complete. For the remainder of the season they will take their sun in small doses.

-j- rj- 7r -f- r|- -j- r!4 -|- 7T rff -r FIJI An inspired genius, impelled by an irresistible spirit of statesmanship, suggests that Fiji ought to be administered by New Zealand. We have made such a “howling” success of Samoa that It is time we took over a few other islands. Perhaps we could send our Parliament away to set up its headquarters in Suva. We could spare it—and if we had command of the Pacific, we might in time command the earth. Nothing like thinking imperially! Caesar thought that way; so did Napoleon; so did Wilhelm 11.