They never let me forget for a moment that I am an American, or that they have caught me at it. . . . The dry-goods men here are as big talkers as they are anywhere. In The Post of this afternoon, James Smith, Limited, offers a special sale in summer goods. Here is one price he quotes: "Ladies' one-piece washing frocks, in various colors, good value at 18s. 6d.; carry your choice away tomorrow at 5s. 11d.
It seems that any sane woman would know that an
article now offered at 5s. 11d. (or $1.42) was never good
value at 18s. 6d. (or $4.62). If James Smith ever sold
an article at $4.62 and has now cut it to $1.42, he is a
robber, and no woman should patronize him. Yet
his store will be crowded with women tomorrow, and
many of them will buy dry goods they do not need,
at prices that afford James Smith, Limited, a fair
profit. The manner in which smart merchants fool
the women with special sales should receive attention
at the next meeting of Congress. . . . Bob Fitzsimmons,
the prize-fighter, came from New Zealand,
and I think he is rather more popular at home than
Melba is in Australia, where she was born. Indeed, I
have heard Melba "picked at" a good deal, while Fitz
is generally pointed to with pride.
Thursday, January 30.—A hair-cut and shave at the
best shop in Wellington costs twenty-four cents. If
a man buys a ticket, and pays in advance, for $1.50 he
can get a shave every morning for a month, and one
hair-cut. . . . On my way to the barber's this
