Mundane Musings

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 278, 14 February 1928, Page 4

Mundane Musings

A Thin Sparrow (Written, for THE SUN.) One morning on my way to earn my daily bread I happened to look out of the tram and saw, perched on a rail, a little thin sparrow! He was so bedraggled and dismallooking that I wondered what could have happened to him, and what his misfortunes could possibly be: for it is such a rare thing to see a thin sparrow. They are always so very well groomed: their well-fitting jackets of brown are never unkempt: they are always the picture of well-fed contentment. and so cocksure and cheeky. But this little sparrow was all that the others are not. He hadn’t a chirp left in him, and life apparently held no interest at all. I began to imagine what troubles a little thin sparrow could have, and I speculated as to whether he had a “tough little worm in his little inside." and then, of course, I wondered if he might be thinking of “felo de se" by throwing himself back off the rail, and s ° “with a sob and a sigh" end his poor miserable life. My meditations progressed, and I wondered whether Dickens had ever seen a thin sparrow. He remarked that no one had ever seen a dead donkey or a dead post-chaise boy. Though the latter are extinct in out-go-ahead days, and must by reason of time have died off, the donkeys are still left to die in due course. The tiny fellow must indeed have had a very harassing time to be so very bedraggled and glum. Perhaps he had been confined to his nest with the mumps, and his poor jaws were so stiff that he would rather not eat than suffer the pain of swallowing a crumb or a '■ worm. I pictured his little brown wife i tying a red flannel bandage right, right round his aching beak, and fixing it' firmly with a great safety-pin, telling him he must stay “indoors” for a week, and saying he mustn’t on any account go out yet. Or perhaps this was his first day out after ’flu. ... • But the tram-bell rang to proceed and we rumbled away in the vehicle leaving the thin sparrow still on the rail, a picture of misery, hopelessly eyeing the world with indifference to breakfast or anything else. Now, just what would take the cheek and assurance from a little brown sparrow? I would like to know! DOROTHY LITTLE. KING COUNTRY JOTTINGS At the residence of Mr. and Mrs. E. Edwards, Taumarunui, a most enjoyable evening was held in aid of the funds of the Taumarunui Cricket Club, the host and hostess lending their house and grounds for the occasion. There was a large crowd present, and while lovers of bridge sought entertainment indoors, dancing was indulged in on the lawn, which had been specially lighted for the event. In addition to the dancing, a number of entertaining games were played. Music was provided by Misses Grice, M. O’Brien, Hughes and Mr. Edwards, and Mr. F. Miller gavp highly-appreciated selections on the bag-pipes. A spot waltz competition was won by Miss J. Worthington and Mr. S. Borck. Mrs. P. W. Reardon and Mr. W. Melrose were the successful entrants in the bridge tournament. A soft drinks and ice cream stall was conducted by Mr. Cameron, and found mueh favour with the guests. The supper, a delightful offering, was arranged by Mrs. Edwards with the’assistance of other ladies, and was handed round by members of the cricket club. The Taumarunui Boys’ Silver Band was in attendance and received merited applause for a number of compositions excellently rendered. Mr. S. Manson proved a capable M.C. for the dancing. The Rev. Father Brady, the new priest in charge of the Taumarunui Parish, was formally introduced to the Manunui section of his parishioners at a very successful whist drive and dance held there in aid of the church funds. There was a large assemblage, visitors being present from far afield. The women’s prize in the cards competition was secured by Mrs. Patterson, Mr. Bailey taking the men’s; Mrs. Knight and Mr. Hayes were the runners up. The music, which was excellently rendered, was provided by the “Merry Five" Orchestra, extras being given by Mr. Hayes and Mr. Waldron. The guests were treated to a dainty supper before dispersing. Miss Dale, who for some time has filled the position of matron of the Taumarunui Maternity Home, and who has won high praise for her businesslike and sympathetic superintendence of that important institution, is resigning her position, and it is understood applications for her successor will be called at once. * ♦ • A “raid” was made on the residence of Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Wilson, of Raurimu, when a number of enthusiastic young people, and many equally j keen older ones, treated them to the festivities of a “surprise party,” as a mark of the esteem in which they are held. Games and competitions were enmarks into fully with the zess that marks such functions, and everyone spent a most enjoyable time. A tennis dance given by Mr. and Mrs. W. Halse, at their residence, ! Tokirima, was a delightful little affair, and supplied a very pleasant evening for numerous guests. The host and hostess set themselves out to provide an enjoyable time, and a delicious supper handed round in the course of the evening added not a little to the pleasure of these present. * * * The town of Matiere, which recently has been called upon to farewell quite a number of old and popular residents, said good-bye to another respected townsman, when Mr. N. J. Dougherty, manager of the Bank of New South Wales, was given a valedictory social. In fact Mr. Dougherty has been the guest of honour at a number of such functions, testifying to the measure of popularity in which he was held. The members of the Church of England, at the residence of Mrs. G. A. Kelly, gathered in force, and Mr. F. Pleasants, on behalf of the Church and Ladies’ Guild, wished Mr. Dougherty every success, and congratulated him on his promotion. A public function was arranged in the Town Hall, which was filled to overflowing, the proceedings taking the form of a social and dance. After the supper inter tal, Mr. M. J. McAvady, on behalf of their guests’ many friends and admirers, presented him with a handsome gold wach, as a memento of the time he had spent in the district. A number of other speakers also spoke of the interest Mr. Dougherty had always taken in everyi thing that had been concerned with the welfare of the town and district, and its inhabitants. Mr. Dougherty made a very appropriate response, and “Auld Lang Syne,” was sung in unison. At a smoke concert later in the week, Mr. Dougherty was presented with a gold Albert, to wear with the former presentation of a watch.

ENGLISH WOMEN IN POLITICS

There is every prospect that more women will try for a seat in Parliament at the next General Election than was the case three years ago, states an English exchange. Then there were 41 candidates, including six Liberals, 12 Labour and 22 Conservatives. Already the candidatures of 38 have been endorsed by the respective headquarters of the parties concerned. Liberals (whose arrangements are not yet complete), six; Labour, 23; Conservative, nine. Mrs. Corbett Ashby, the president of the Women’s National Liberal Federation, has been adopted, and other Liberal names mentioned are Mrs. Winthinghani, Mrs. Walter Runciman, Miss Megan Lloyd George (who- -will stand probably for a Welsh constituency), and Lady Emmott. The women M.P.’s are likely to stand again for their constituencies. Mrs. Pankhurst, the veteran leader for women’s suffrage, is “nursing" the Whitechapel and St. George’s division of Stephney in the Conservative interest. Labour woman candidates include Lady Cynthia Mosley for Stoke-on-Trent, Lady Clare Annesley, an aunt of Earl Annesley, for Bristol West, and Miss Jessie Stephen, once a domestic servant, for South Portsmouth.

MEDICAL CONGRESS

PREPARATIONS AT HAMILTON When the conference of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association meets at Hamilton, on February 22, a civic reception will be given to the delegates. Altogether, about 120 doctors, with their families, will be present. This is only the second time that the conference in New Zealand has been held outside the cities. r The well-known London surgeon, Mr. \ ictor Bonney, who is coming to New Zealand at the invitation of the New Zealand Obstetrical Society, will represent the parent body at the conference.