FROM THE WATCH TOWER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 879, 24 January 1930, Page 8

FROM THE WATCH TOWER

By

“THE LOOK-OUT MAN.”

THE SAILOR'S REVENGE Notwithstanding repeated requests, the Auckland Hospital Board has refused to provide special accommodation for naval officers in order that they may be apart from ratings. On self-respecting battleships a social line exists, And segregating principles apply. The rule that braided officers are men , apart, persists— The ratings may not pause to reason why. Remember that, my Bully Boy! And when you go to sea Forbear to ask the Admiral if he’ll meet your girl at tea. But ways afloat are not the ways in hospitals ashore. No class distinctions sever rank from file. The ratings and the officers are bedded, as before. Competing for the self-same nurse’s smile. Then, go ahead, my sick Jack Tar! You’ll And that, to the charmers, An Admiral looks the same as you in hospital pyjamas. —SISTI3R SUE. * * * NAPOLEON BKANDY Luscious descriptions of mellow old wines and spirits were given to an interviewer the other day by Mr. Gordon Cornish, a visitor to Auckland, who has been in the trade for 21 years. He spoke in particular of his dealing with a fine old French brandy of Napoleonic vintage, which was sold at £25 a case. Now, if these cases held a dozen bottles, it is highly probable that one of Mr. Cornish’s customers was Mr. Arthur Paape, the well-known Dunedin hotelkeeper, who, a year or two ago, placed in his spacious cellars a quantity of rare “Napoleon” brandy. Handled with almost reverent care the precious liquor was exhibited for sale, little by little, in elaborate bottles, heavily sealed with the imposing warranties and authorities of past days. The bottles caught and held the appreciative eye of Jascha Heifetz, the violinist, during his Dunedin season and, when he departed, his luggage was a little bulkier, while Mr. Paape’s treasured store was minus two quarts. • * * AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY The tragic part of the story comes with Mr. Heifetz’s recital of his adventures while on his way to meet his bride-to-be, Miss Florence Vidor, the film star. When he reached the United States a Customs officer made the usual search, discovered the bottles, and demanded their destruction. “But,” explained the violinist, “it’s not ordinary brandy. It’s something special that I am taking home.” He paused. “Whadda I care. It’s for drinkin’, huh?” This from the Customs. Jascha expostulated and pleaded and stormed, but all with no effect. Uncle Sam was obdurate and the Napoleon brandy splashed into the harbour. The obvious moral is, never withhold till tomorrow what you can drink today. PITY THE MODERNIST After viewing past and contemporary happenings from every angle, one is forced to the conclusion that there are people who dislike Mr. Jacob Epstein’s Children of Sculptural Inspiration. His conception of “Day” and “Night” on the headquarters of the London Underground Railways have been cirticised fiercely alike by choleric colonels and derisive street urchins, and his “Rima” in Hyde Park has been assailed by all manner of disfiguring substances from tar to the red, green and black paints on Wednesday last. After the memorable occasion in 1925 when this extraordinary memorial was enamelled green with great thoroughness, a spiked fence was erected as a protective measure. However the latest champions of the orthodox in art appear to have overcome this barrier with ease. * * * ROVER'S REAPPEARANCE “Alson”: Mention in the cable news this morning of Mr. C. J. Ketchum, special correspondent for the “Daily Express,” who has obtained a startling statement from Mr. Ghandi, brings to mind the meteoric career of this young journalist. is only 36 years old, and in recent years has crowded more adventure into his life than many men have in a lifetime. Five years ago he was working with a member of The Sun staff on a large paper in Vancouver. In one year he proved so good that he received an offer from a large Eastern Canadian paper, which he accepted. From there he went straight to the “Daily Express.” During the next few years he “covered” the insurrection in Spain; he crossed from the Cape to Cairo by motor-car; was in the thick of the fighting between the French and Riff forces; spent a year in China during the disturbance there; crossed Manchuria on foot and by horseback; and has now turned up in India. Also, ho was sent recently on a special mission to America.