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Variety in Brief

One great advantage of railway travelling is that the time can be occupied in reading, knitting, card-playing, etc. One railway journey proved very lucrative to me; comfortably seated in a corner by the carriage window, I correctly solved a crossword puzzle, thereby winning a substantial cash prize! Upon another occasion I was travelling by train to an examination centre. Taking out a text-book, I felt an urge to “swot” up a certain chapter. A jolly good thing for me I responded! That chapter was the answer to the first question on the examination paper! Trains for me.—“Pohutu.”

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Anthony Ward's interesting article, “A Romance of the Forties,” in the December issue of the “N.Z. Railways Magazine,” giving the experiences of his grandfather, reminded me of my own great-grandfather's history. As a young man the craving for adventure caused him, about 1839 or 1840, to emigrate to Sydney from the West Indies, where his father owned large sugar plantations. Leaving Australia, he sailed on the ship “Indemnity” for Auckland, where he entered the Government service in April, 1843. Shortly afterwards he was appointed Chief Postmaster at Wellington. As he was Collector of Customs as well, it is more than likely that Anthony Ward's grandfather and my great-grandfather met in the office of the Customs Department in days gone by.—N.F.H.

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In one of our island dependencies the gaol was rather a nuisance to an already overworked constable. Hence the following. One prisoner, the sole occupant of the gaol, condemned to hard labour, used to do his daily dozen unsupervised, have his dinner at a nearby hotel, and at nighttime return to the gaol. On one occasion, finding the constable had not returned, resulting in his being locked out, he actually had to climb over the door in order to get into gaol for the night.—K.B.McC.

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Some twenty years ago, when the furniture and effects of Mr. Eric C. Goldsmith, of Auckland, came under the hammer, an unusually fine collection of books was practically given away to the fortunate few who happened to be present. No special attention was focussed on the books, and the collection, which included many notable New Zealand works, was distributed to casual purchasers in sixpenny lots. My dad, for the meagre sum of sixpence, acquired a Buller's “Manual of the Birds of New Zealand,” “Musings in Maoriland,” by Thomas Bracken, and a beautifully illuminated copy of “Lalla Rookh.” Surely a good sixpennyworth!—R.W.

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The occasion was the running of the Otaki Cup some years ago. The course was thronged and Maori and pakeha availed themselves of anything in the way of sheds, vehicles, etc., that made it possible to obtain a clearer view of the momentous event. A number of pakehas clambered upon what they took to be rubbish, over which a large canvas had been thrown. They had just made themselves comfortable when they were surprised to see several Maori officials puffing upon the scene, waving their arms wildly and shaking their fists. The foremost Maori spoke in indignant tones: “You pakeha chaps come down quick! What you mean sittin’ on te Otaki Cup. Py korry—–.” Speech failed him. The men swiftly descended from their perch, and later in the day looked under the canvas. Hidden beneath, lay a huge stack of potatoes.—N.F.H.

“Packet cigarettes still command an extensive sale in New Zealand,” states a big importer, “but a change is coming. In fact, it has begun. Thousands of smokers who formerly purchased their cigarettes ready-made now roll their own. This is partly due to the bad times, doubtlessly. But it is indisputable, nevertheless, that even the choicest packet goods cannot compete with the newly-made article smoked as soon as it is rolled. Ready-mades are often in stock for months, even for years, and the longer they are kept the more they ‘go off.’ The flavour deteriorates very rapidly. Now the chap that rolls his own usually buys his tobacco an ounce or two at a time, so that it's always fresh and moist. And look at the saving to the smoker! Myself I smoke toasted New Zealand. It makes beautiful cigarettes. The four toasted brands are: Riverhead Gold, Navy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog), Cavendish, and Cut Plug No. 10 (Bullshead). You can't over indulge because, being toasted, and almost free from nicotine, these tobaccos are as harmless as they are fragrant and delightful.” ^*