FROM THE WATCH TOWER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 520, 24 November 1928, Page 8

FROM THE WATCH TOWER

By “THE LOOK-OUT MAN."

JUST A FEW “In view of the. general economic situation, I feel it is incumbent on me to say a few words upon topics of the moment,” said the chairman. And he proceeded to reel off 2S pages of closely-typed foolscap. “ A few words,” said an exhausted scribe. “What would he be like if he got longwinded?” . * * SHEARING TIME An entertaining little pamphlet is the official Abstract of Statistics. Among the mass of information in the latest number is an item about the price of men’s haircuts, which are stated to be (on an average) Is 4Jd in Auckland, Is 6d in Wellington and Is 3d in both Christchurch and Dunedin. The statistician does not give enlightenment upon the whereabouts of the Auckland saloons that break into halfpennies. About the only item that is stationary in all four centres is the' price of laundering starched collars, firm at 2d a time. Good old John! * * • TALKING OF WOOL Auckland’s first wool sale of the season happens on Monday, and here’s to good prices; better prices, for instance, than the lowest yeoman got at Scarborough in 1298! According to an ancient record, the price paid then for a live sheep, wool and all, was a penny. Prices improved with the years. In 1355 you could buy a “fat mutton” for >4d. It must have been a glorious age for meat-eaters. At the end of the fourteenth century the ruling rate for a stone of wool was ninepence. That was in prosperous times. Things must have been bad when there was a slump. * sic * LIGHT THAT FAILED An open letter to the Superintendent of Marine: Dear Superintendent,—How are the old lights this morning? Still in the same old spot, X hope. By the way, Superintendent, I see the Flat Rock light went out at 1 a.m. yesterday and is to be fixed up ou November 30. Now, what I want to know. Superintendent, is: Why all the hurry? We all know the old Rona and the Herald managed to hit the rock when the light was full on; in fact, when the Rona clicked, we nearly “did in all our sugar.” With these facts in mind, we presume you are angling for something really big, so why send the Tutanekai along to spoil the fun? If you hang off a little longer, you might catch the Aorangi. Kindest regards.—B.* Laying-Pin. * * ♦ YE TESTS Searching in the King’s Library at Windsor, a clergyman found that cricket was mentioned in the year 1300. Summer is i-cumen in, Lhude sing selectors, Knyghtes, allies of ye Kynge, Noo make ye willoxo swynge, Yette Ashes home again ye brynge ! — (Lhude sing selectors l) Sir Chapmanne his harness dons; Lhu.de sing Chapmanne! Hobbes, likewise Tyldesley; Call ye knyghtes brave yet beLhude shout and follow me—(Knyghtes follow Chapmanne!) Knyghtes in armour bryghte; Lhude puff everyone ; Sir Woodfulle syxer hytt, Big dragon swallow itt! Out-feild doth fall in fytte—(Lhude puff dragon!) Sonne shine, cuckoo synge; Lhude crie barracker ; Oh! Oh! Runnes mayke Boivl on the wickett! Off him taylce! Get a bagge for mercy sayke! (Knyghtes curse barracker I) 3K as »