FROM THE WATCH TOWER

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 281, 17 February 1928, Page 8

FROM THE WATCH TOWER

By “THE LOOK-OUT MAN” SILHOUETTES (No 1) — Mr. W. H. Murray Is in a terrible hurry. Investigating civic waste Calls for the utmost haste. LADY SWIMMER’S LIMBS Auckland ladles are urged not to strive to emulate the gentleman who recently swam the harbour. There are dangers even more fearsome than sharks or the risk of drowning in wait for lady swimmers who essay long distances. Annette Kellerman, “the Australian mermaid,” claims that swimming, in moderation, develops the perfect figure. Those "who have seen the natatorial Annette have gazed upon the very best of form, yet Annette states that before she commenced to swim, she was a miserable, puny little creature. But —“moderation,” says Annette. Of one English lady swimmer, who strives to swim channels, it was recently remarked: “Her legs are a sight, my dear —far too heavy a price to pay for any channel triumph. A greedy child, anxious, to take full toll of Santa Claus last Christmas, is reported to have asked her for her stocking to hang up over his little bed!” IGNORANT CRITICISM Some English visitors to the Dominions have a weakness for passing criticism after the most indifferent observation. For instance, Sir 1 Henry Cowan, M.F., told the Melbourne correspondent of the London “Daily Express” that he was surprised that the Commonwealth, despite its White*Australia policy and its enormous resources, was “making no effort to secure immigrants from over-popu-lated Britain.” Australians will be surprised, too. They have been under the impression that the maintenance of a busy Migration , Department at Australia House, London, and the spending of millions of pounds annually in providing assisted passages and facilities for settlement was attracting a fair number of immigrants. And as a matter of fact, it is. Last year the net gain in migration to Australia was 48,924 persons —and the excess of arrivals over departures included 38,000 people of British nationality. * • * THE MODERN “ MACBETH ” “Macbeth” has been modernised on the London stage, and we are assured that the audience was very appreciative and that the curse of the Awful Lady was quite as bloodcurdling as in the orthodox setting. This “modernising” madness is a bloodcurdling thing altogether. Still, it should afford an excellent opportunity of settling an age-long controversy. Let the modernised “Macbeth” be performed with the coffins of Shakespeare and Bacon placed handy, and whichever skeleton, Shakespeare’s or Bacon’s, it is that arises groaning from its tomb and smites the literary vandals dead, that skeleton is the remains of the frame which once housed the living genius who wrote the works of William Shakespeare. (N.B. —This suggestion is not entirely original. Sir W. S. Gilbert facetiously proposed that the test should be the recital of Hamlet’s “Soliloquy,” by Sir Beerbohm Tree.)

%%&%as&as %msk %% * as & & THAT WHICH MAKES US PURR After a three months’ visit to’New Zealand, Mr. O. Killmore, the noted sportsman, sailed for Home to-day. Interviewed before departure, he pronounced the fishing here to be the best in the world; and further, is of opinion that the magnificent scenic grandeur of the Sounds, the enthralling beauties of the native bush, and our mutton, are the finest in the world.” Questioned as to roads, railways and tourist accommodation, the visitor declared; “New Zealand has nothing to learn.” He was much impressed by the deportment of the people, who, he maintains, lead the world In politeness and correct use of the King’s English. Mr. Kilmore plans to return soon with a party of friends to seek big fish.” THAT WHICH DOESN’T Mr. McWhangle, a prominent business man from overseas and with interests in New Zealand, is at present in town. Interviewed at his hotel, he pointed out that most of his time had been occupied with business matters; and he wishes to make it clear that he is no authority on big fish and doesn’t know where Russell is. Our visitor says the things that impress him most in New Zealand are first, the number of unemployed in the towns; second, the amount of unoccupied land in the country. These idle lands and idle hands must, he declares, be introduced to each other, if our problems are to be solved successfully. When pressed for an opinion on our railways, he stated that as far as one could see, they ran on good lines. Mr. McWhangle, who is due to sail for Home shortly, says he’ll be glad when he gets there. A poor sailor and dreading sea voyages, he is positive he does not propose returning shortly, either with or without a party of friends, after big fish —not if he can help it.—JD.W, _____