Column 8
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday June 10, 2005
On the subject of dams (Column 8, yesterday), Ian Groves, of Laurieton, writes: "Water is very much on our minds these days, and I was surprised to find that it must have also been on the mind of A. B. Paterson. The poem The Dam that Keele Built was published in the Evening News on the 27th of February, 1905. Part of it reads: These are the calculations made by the Eminent Engineer by Trade, Head of the Water and Sewer Brigade, Who measured the stream that brought the water to fill the dam that Keele built.It all sounds very pointed to me. Can Column 8 find out the history of it?" Someone will know, Ian. There's always a Column 8 reader who knows ...
We'll have to pull the plug on the ID stories soon, but they just keep coming. "A few years back," writes Shannon Brown, of North Ryde, "when collecting a credit card from the bank, I was asked to produce 100 points of identification. As I pulled assorted pieces of identity from my wallet, the teller grabbed my Sydney Gamers League card, which only comprises a photo, first name and my gaming nickname in large letters (Salty). Despite the fact that there was no ID required to get that card, and it did not have my surname, date of birth, address, or anything else relevant, they used it to give me $5000 of credit." Leo Kestel, of Batemans Bay, writes that "NSW Fisheries signs along the North Coast advise of fish bag limits, legal sizes etc. Included in the list of protected species which 'must be returned carefully to the water' is the great white shark. Fair enough, though I wonder how you get a great white out of the water to begin with.""In Bombala (population 1200) at the weekend I was heartened to discover that the cautious burghers had named the crossroads at the centre of their central business district Maybe Street and Caveat Street," writes Basil Johnson of Weston, ACT. "A lesson for Sydney as it dreams its dreams of renewal?" John Preece, of Shoreham-by-Sea, England, writes to say that he enjoyed Bev Brill's second-hand shop 'Junk and Disorderly' (Column 8, yesterday). Then he goes one better. "How about the slogan for the Patel Brothers, builders in Brighton? 'You've tried the cowboys - now try the Indians'." Dr Raymond Seidler writes to tell us of a sign in Craigend Street, Kings Cross, which says 'No stopping - tourist couches excepted'. "I was wondering what a tourist couch is. Come to think of it, they must be the old divans left outside backpackers hostels where young travellers sit and drink beer while playing loud music ..."Only two weeks to go - the Column 8 Temora Expedition departs from Central at high noon, June 24. If you want one of the remaining seats, call the astonishing Irene on 6977 1296 (or contact her by email at lynchtvl@bigpond.net.au). Don't spend the rest of your life wailing: "Oh, why didn't I go to Temora? Why didn't I call Irene when I had the chance?" column8@smh.com.au(no attachments, please).Phone 9282 2207 Fax 9282 2772.(Include name, suburb, daytime phone)
© 2005 Sydney Morning Herald