FROM THE WATCH TOWER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 892, 8 February 1930, Page 8

FROM THE WATCH TOWER

By

“THE LOOK-OUT MAN.”

POSTERS Lord Craigavon has stressed the danger of allowing advertising hoardings to spoil the scenic spots of New Zealand. “Let’s have a party,” said the Poster Man, “You bring the paste-brush and I’ll bring the can. “I know a valley where the tourists go, “We’ll put a few snappy ads. on show.” “Good,” Said the maker of the hoarding frame, “You dig a post-hole and I’ll do the same. “Now for the bill-sheets; pass me the nails ; “Hoist high the slogans and wait for the sales.” “Ah,” said the comrades when the task was done, “Quite a little profit from our out-door fun. “Spoiled all the scenery? Don’t be Auntie Maud: “Gaze upon the beauties of the posterboard !” MR. ASCHE PROTESTS Usually Mr. Oscar Asche, the actorproducer of “Chu Chiu Chow’ - fame, limits his public utterances to the domains of the theatre. He was last thrust into the limelight when his vigorous attack on American stage matter and methods roused a heated controversy on both sides of the Atlantic. His latest appearance, however, is in the role of a bitter denouncer of cricket selection methods, and his grim wish is that those responsible for the Australian test team’s small dimensions should have their statues made by Epstein. Which reminds one that, in time to come, Mr. Asche’s colourful and often spectacular services to the drama may be considered worthy of a statue of him by Epstein. It is a dreadful thought. OLD TELEPHONES An advertisement announcing the sale of obsolete wall telephones by the Post and Telegraph Department supplies an explanation to those who have wondered what became of these cumbersome old affairs after the advent of the more modern instrument and, later, the automatic. The early manual wall phones with their small handles for calling other subscribers, their large ear-pieces, and their midVictorian design are widely used in country districts where- groups of settlers are linked together on party wires. Evidently, however, the rural demand has fallen short of the supplies, and an invitation is extended to all-comers. What the average man would want with a disused manual telephone is difficult to imagine, unless the memories of past grievances are such that he would be eager to buy a telephone for the pleasure of smashing it, and kicking it round the yard without fear of departmental reprisals. PLANNING THE FUTURE Far-sightedness characterises Mr (3. A. Troup, Mayor of Wellington, who has persuaded his council to prepare for a centennial exhibition, to be held in the capital in 1940. A cynic observes that, for local bodies, a decade is quite a reasonable time of preparation. In any case, as Wellington has “bagged” this exhibition, other centres should set their respective seals on future epoch-making events. Thus:

Dunedin: After heated discussion the council has decided to pay the deposit and first instalment on a telescope to be used during Otago’s gala heralding the return of Halley’s Comet.

Christchurch: Preparations will begin without delay for an air pageant to be held on the centenary day of the landing of the Southern Cross in New Zealand after its Tasman flight Auckland: Arrangements will be put in hand immediately to organise a suitable programme of celebrations which will mark the hundredth anniversary of the completion of the new Whau Bridge. MEXICAN MUDDLES

Peaceful citizens must often wonder how it is that Mexico is able to produce an unfailing supply of wouldbe leaders and hopeful presidents when history has proved that their chances of plucking the ripe fruits of power are as slender as those of the unfortunate Buckley. Man after man steps into office only to be abused, shot at, wounded, or killed outright. The latest President, Pascual Oritz Rubio, has managed to escape with a wound in the jaw, but it is safe to say that, from now on, he will have great difficulty in persuading any insurance company to grant him a cover on his life. At least one Netv Zealander has reason for interest in Mexico’s troubles and muddles. He is a once roving journalist who reached Mexico on the eve of a minor revolution. At the invitation of the rebel leader he and a friend joined the “army,” and after being supplied with antiquated rifles and mildewed ammunition, the two marched out with a strong force to meet the Government troops. When the enemy appeared they opened Are, but after a few minutes, found they w'ere fighting alone. At the first sight of the Government troops the “'army” had fled. Mexicans are great believers in the w-isdom of living to fight another day.