From The Watch Tower

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 445, 29 August 1928, Page 8

From The Watch Tower

By “THE LOOK-OUT MAN.” EVIDENCE Finding that there was not much of value in a Port Melbourne ironmonger’s establishment when they broke Into it last week, thieves took a razor from stock and shaved with it. Trade competitors selling other brands of razors have advised the police to look for a gang with scarred and scraped chins. ORIGINALITY An Auckland architect who recently returned from a tour of the East has made a startling announcement. He does not regard the Taj Mahal as the most beautiful building in the world. Hail to the first traveller in the century who has had the courage of his convictions. TERRITORIALS’ HOPES New hope has been created in the breasts of territorials who find compulsory military training irksome. Rumour is rife among them that the signing of the Peace Pact may mean the end of drill. There is probably little truth in the suggestion that trainees have mutilated Gray’s Elegy to this extent: — “The Peace Pact marks the death of blighted drill , There’s no more need of rifles for a fray. Those N.C.O.’s can bellow at their will: ‘Fall in!’ Yes, sir, but not, but not . to-day.” * * * A NEW PORTFOLIO Several significant facts should be a guide to the Prime Minister in his embarrassing task of reconstructing the Reform Ministry. Though he has taken charge of External Affairs and given Sir Maui Pomare control of Internal Affairs, Mr. Coates has not done enough in the interests of women and children. In view of the high death rate of young mothers, and also in view of the almost certain advent of women into Parliament for the first time in this unchivalrous country, the Prime Minister might well prepare for the appointment of a woman M.P. as Minister of Maternal Affairs. And perhaps Commissioner Hdy, of the Salvation Army, could be called to the Legislative Council and made Minister of Eternal Affairs. CALLING STATIONS Mr. Farquhar Young, the elocutionist, has recently complained that guards on New Zealand railway trains have no idea of the pronunciation of the Maori place-names they are supposed to call. “Could they not be asked to pass some test in the subject before assuming their duties?” he asks. Another terror for Government servants. We can picture a porter, in the year 1930, if Mr. Young’s suggestion is carried out, giving such a perfect and scholarly pronunciation of Whangarei that ordinary passengers will think it’s Frankton Junction and remain seated until the train has pulled out.

ye: 'eycAb'A ’fyrJAfAAffA'— lFF SUSPICIOUS An American draper, as an experiment, placed a 50-cent piece in front of his store. It lay there an hour before being picked up by a youth, who asked for the manager. The lad was given the money. Eleven persons had looked at the coin and walked on. , This reminds the L.O.M. of a friend of' his who, bent on proving the marked presence of suspicion in the human mind, tried to sell a 10s note for a shilling. Everywhere he went he was repulsed, in some cases with threats of imprisonment. Over 20' people were canvassed before one hardy speculator decided to risk his shilling and even he made the comment that it was too good to be true. ELEMENTARY ARITHMETIC After the King had inspected the headquarters of the Navy, Arn\y and Air Force canteens in Kennington the other day, he turned to the Queen and others present and told them of a little incident that happened to him some years ago when he was serving with the Fleet. His Majesty was then orderly officer, and it was part of his duty to visit the canteen and to sample the beer. He was told that there were two kinds, “fourpenny” and “sixpenny,” and asked which he would try. “What’s the difference?” he inquired. “Twopence, sir! ” came the prompt reply, in what, his Majesty declares, was obviously a tone of surprise at his ignorance.