RUMOURS (FIT TO PRINT ONLY) WANTED

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 69, 13 May 1953, Page 4

RUMOURS (FIT TO PRINT ONLY) WANTED

In the editorial article which appeared in the first issue of the Taupo Times, on January 16, 1952, it was stated that "hitherto in regard .to local news, the people of Taupo have been subsisting on gossip." With due modesty, it can perhaps be elaimed that the news service provided by the paper has improved on the former method. Although the news may be less exciting, it is, we hope, more reliable. But that our coverage of local news may become wider •and more complete is ari aim that is not to be lost sight of, and is one in the realisation of which the Time^b as in the case of other local papers, will wetcome always the help of its readers. "Gossip" is a curious word. It appears to have commenced its chequered career meaning a godfather or godmother. Later it meant a friend or comrade, a familiar acquaintance. Theu it denoted one who ran from house to house, tattling and telling news, an idle tattler, and from that it became the tattle of a gossin. groundless rumour. Rumour, of course, may be of any degree of accuracy or inaccuracy. Shakespeare used the word "rumourer" as meaning a reporter, a spreader of news, and the reliability of rumour must always depend on the reliability and and sense of responsibility of the reporter. Dame Rumour may often be a lying jade, but there are often, without doubt, times when her lips have been touched with truth. But it is usually the case that most of those who hear any particular rumour have neither time nor means to test its relation to fact. And it is at this point that the press, and particularly the local paper serving a relatively small field can provide a valuable public service. We make bold, therefore, to appeal to the public of the Taupo Country to help us to help them, by letting us have, as promptly as possible, all sorts and conditions of rumours. Not the type of rumour that bothers itself with the problem of whether John Doe has stopped beating his wife yet, but rather those that deal with local affairs, happenings of possible and printable interest. A rumour, for example, that the Casualty . Ward at the Hospital was ready for use, would obviously be worth investigation, thought it might appear inherently improbable. If our readers will let us have details of rumours. in as fresh a condition as possible, we shall be prompt to sort the sheep from the goats and corral them in our columns.