Trials in Tact

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 31, 14 February 1930, Page 27

Trials in Tact

or What Would You Do? |

~ (Conducted by

Savoit-Faire

Under this heading, an every-day problem will be set week by week, and readers are invited to send in their solutions, for which marks will be awarded. Prizes are offered to those obtaining the most marks over a series of ten. First prize, £2/2/-; second prize, £1/1/-; and third prize, 10/6 for each series. Competitors may send in their own problems for publication and solution and a prize of 10/6 will be given for the best one sent in during each series, and 5/- for each contributed problem used. : Problem No. 2. Ist Series. Mrs. A. and Mrs. B. live in the same country town and have been friends for some years. Mrs A’s. husband is one of the two dentists in the town, neither of whom is making a very good living. Mrs. B., who is badly needing dental treatment, hears that Mr. A’s. work is not satisfactory, but hesitates to hurt Mrs. A’s. feelings by consulting the other dentist. What do you advise Mrs. B. to do? Suggested by Savoir-Faire. (Answers must be postmarked not later than February 13, 1930.) Problem No.3. Ist Series. Qne afternoon Miss A. receives an invitation by telephone from’ Mrs. A. to have dinner at Mr. and Mrs. B’s. house that night. Having good reasons for not wishing to go, but no legitimate excuse, Miss A. pleads indisposition. She is later: asked by Mr. C. to go to the pictures that evening and accepts his invitation. After they are seated, but before the pictures begin, Mr. and Mrs. B. come in and are shown to the seats immediately behind Miss A. and Mr. C. What should Miss A. do or say to Mrs. B? Suggested by Miss N. Johnston. (Answers must be postmarked not later than February 20, 1930.) A nom-de-plume may be used, but names and addresses must be sent. The same nom-de-plume must be retained throughout the series. All replies must bear a postmark dated not later than the Thursday after the date of the journal in which the problem appears, and should be addressed to "Savoir-Faire," "Radio Record and Electric Home Journal," P.O, Box 1082, Wellington. Savoir-Faire’s decision must in every case be accepted as final. Solution of Problem No. 1. .. , May I first say how gratified I am at the interest that is being taken in this competition, and the pleasure it has given me to note the high standard of feeling most competitors adopt towards such a situation. My opinion is that Mrs. A. should call on Mrs. B. (although as "Radex" says it would call for the exercise of more than a little courage) and ask in a dignified way, in friendship’s name, for an explanation of Mrs. B’s. recent eonduct. I do not think it necessary for Mrs. A. to apologise for anything she may have done to offend Mrs. B. before matters are explained, and still less do I think it desirable that she should take a present of fruit or flowers from her garden, as one competitor suggests. My feeling is that at the moment Mrs. A. is the injured party, and by going to see her, is meeting Mrs. B. more than half-way. Probably "A Trier’s" suggestion that "it is possible an innocent remark of Mrs, A’s. about Mrs. B. to someone has been misconstrued and repeated to Mrs. B." will be found to be at the root of the matter, or something that can equally well be, and should be cleared up. Mrs. B. is not called upon to suffer such an affront without an explanation. . I cannot adjudge wrong those who suggest writing to Mrs. B., although does not seem to me to be so good; but it would be hard for any quondam friend to resist the very nice letter "‘Listener-in" proposes. Still less do I like the idea of enlisting the aid of a third person, as some competitors suggest, although it still shows a laudable desire to have the matter cleared up. I derived great amusement from "Arabella’s" humorous letter, but she herself, must feel as I do: that it would be more likely to widen the breach than to heal it. Correspondents are asked not to read more into the problem than it states, but to deal with it as it stands; nor should they go on to eventualities, which are often further problems in themselves. Replies should be as brief as is consistent with clarity, and in future, alternative solutions eannot be considered. Yor this problem only, I have awarded marks for the best of any alternatives sent, but have deducted one mark from those gained, on that account. Awards are therefore as follows, the possible 6 being granted for what I consider the best method of attacking the problem :- A Trier, 4; Absolve meam animam, 3; Arabella, 0; Anon, 4; Bonza, 4; Clara, 3; Duplex, 4; Bquity, 2; Fiat Pax, 5; Frances, 4; Miss Rhoda Green, +; Grace, 3; Haven, 2; Irene, 4; Jean, Te Puke, 5; Miss N. Johnston, 8; Jonquil, 3; Kia Ora, 5; Kummel, 2; Listener-in, 4; Leon, 33 Lucid, 4; M.A.B., 5; Mrs. Mason, 5; Mary, 4; Myra, 0; Mayflower, 3; Natural, 4; Nomen, 5; Olivia, 3; Priscilla, 4; Pumpkin, 2; Query, 4; Radex, 5; Radio, 0; Rosa, 4; Senga, 5; Scylla, 0; Summit, 8; Thames, 0; Tuner, 3; Topaz, 4; Undine, 2; Viola 0; Verity, 4; Wynward, 4; Weaver, 4.3 Xylonite, 1; Xerxea, 4; Yum-yum, 4; Zenobia. 4: "Pact." & 9