Sullivan column brings much needed ‘laughter’

I WAS very happy, indeed amused, to find Stephen Leacock mentioned in this morning's column by the reliably entertaining Jim Sullivan.

Leacock, whose works are well represented on my shelves, is unjustly ignored these days.

To Jim's suggestions (all excellent) could be added the many works of James Thurber, in both words and classic cartoons; the witty stories of O. Henry and Damon Runyon; and the celebrated novels Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome, and The Diary of a Nobody by the forgotten humorists George and Weedon Grossmith. ‘‘Laugh and the world laughs with you’’ was an old Goon Show line from a former era. It's as true today as then.

Julian Faigan

Roslyn

Animal hunt

YOUR feature (ODT, 28.3.20) on the John McGlashan pupils’ wild animal hunt repulsed me.

To see these young people proudly carrying and displaying their catches, with one placing a dead possum behind the steering wheel of a vehicle, is not amusing.

I feel outrage that parents promote these events of their children participating in blood sports.

The terror of these creatures before they were put out of their misery distresses me.

Clive McNeilly North East Valley

[Abridged]

WHAT a great ‘‘good news’’ front page with the teddy bears (ODT, 28.3.20).

What an offensive page 9 showcasing the boys’ hunting endeavours.

Lyn Reay Ravensbourne

[Abridged] ....................................

BIBLE READING: The Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces. — Isaiah 25.8.