OPTIMISTS CLUB

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 May 1940, Page 7

OPTIMISTS CLUB

FIRST MEETING OF YEAR. ADDRESS BY MR D. E. PARTON. There was a good attendance of young men at the opening meeting of the Masterton Optimists Club held in the Y.M.C.A. last night. The chair was occupied by Chief Smiler Murray Daniell, with whom was associated the Rev. T. V. Pearson and Messrs W. A. Clarke (president of the Masterton Y.M.C.A.) and D. E. Parton (Christchurch). After tea the ''cat'’ benefited from fines collected by Sherrif E. J. Esler.

Optimist Stewart Hatch lead the community singing, Optimist Trevor Hicks carrying out the duties of pianist. The speaker was Mr D. E. Parton, who filled lhe breach at the last moment, and spoke on Palmistry. Mr Parton dealt in very interesting fashion with his subject, stating that although the hands did not contain the characteristics of the brain there were many outstanding lines and marks that were considered to have a bearing on intelligence and character, the consideration of which was intensely interesting and perhaps valuable. Mi Parton stated that on examining the hands one could find, more or less distinctly the lines of the heart, head, fate, success, fame, influence, health and marriage. The marriage line included the cross of religious inspiration, the star of eloquence, the isle of mystery, the cross of ambition, the star of leadership, the cross of ability, the star of fate, etc. Mr Parton, in dealing, in particular, with the fare line showed how he came to think more of the cross of religious inspiration, the Line of human sympathy ano the semi-circle of technical ability from a practical point of view. . Mr Parton then told the story of how the graduates at a college were in the habit of having a farewell dinner at the end of each four-year term, and as they were tired of the usual speechifying decided to invite a professor who was reputed to be a recluse. Somewhat to their chagrin he acceded tc their request. Speaking at the dinner he asked the students if any of them understood the practical details of life. After showing the students how little they knew of the common essentials, the old man wound up by saying: "Arc we not a very poor lot of men? We are trained in all the intellectual things of life and yet we know absolutely nothing about what we eat and use." He stood back from his seat as though to uncover a picture on the wall behind him and said: "Gentlemen, may I introduce you to the Master Builder?” And then addressing the assumed figure he asked: "Master, could you make anything in this room?" Pointing to one of the table legs he added. "The Master says 'Yes; I could make I hat table. I am a Carpenter.’” Mr Parton was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his instructive address.