Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1923-04-13

-Wllldm shakespeare.
In last weeks issue of the Journal
mention was made of the fact that the
month of April has acquired peculiar
distinction because in some way and
for some reason its very first day
has been set apart for frivolity-dedi-
Gated, as it were, by custom and prac-
tice to the unbridled exploitation of
human foibles and folly.
Why or how April 1st came to be
selected for this purpose has never
been explained. The origin of the
custom is unknown. Various theories
have been advanced, all of which have
been much disputed; thus the estab-
lishment of April Fools Day, or All
Fools Day, is still a mystery. The
reason for it, if any ever existed, has
been lost in the nebulous mists of
antiquity.
When the illustrious author, Will
liam Shakespeare, gave expression
through the medium of his celebrated
fairy (cometimes called Puck, the
oft-quoted lines of the head of this
column, he must have been conscious
that a good and valid reason did one
time appear for setting aside n day
Of the year devoted solely to the cause
of innocent deception and fools err
rands. This myriad-minded man
could not help being cognizant of the
funny side of life and he may have
discerned the necessity for giving pub
lie recognition to the folly of these
mortals; hence his deduction: what
fools these mortals bel"
And the day they celebrate these
mortal traits is Apri1's pride, the day
for playing April fool.
If any of the commissioners or the
city clerk was victimized on April LIST,
this year, the details of the tricks
have been carefully guarded. 1t is
reasonable to suppose that such a de-
lightful privilege of unlicensed levity,
a cherished pleasure that ome to all
but once a year, was not permitted to
slip by un~celebrated by the resource
full minds at City Hall.
Last Tuesday afternoon at the
regular time the Wildwood City Com
missioners held their second meeting
in the popular month of April. This
session was much shorter than usual,
owing to the limited amount of bust
ness on hand to be transacted.
The financial report this week did
not show up very strong, the receipts
in the tax department amounting to
only $741.30; and in the water de-
partment, $55S.SS; total for the week
previous, $1,300.18.
The police department reported that
in the preceding week two arrests had
been made for drunkenness; one for
defrauding; another on a charge not
understood and a fourth, an arrest of
a runaway boy.
Twelve building permits had been
issued by the city inspector during the
first week in April:
To A. Taylor, contractor, for M.
Allard, to construct a garage and
dwelling on Schellenger avenue, West
of Pacific, at an estimated cost of
$4,000.
10 OCul6IZlS DlOLnCio D. COhIl D.
for Abbott's Attorney Diaries, addi-
tional store room, $3.50.
To Schlenzig Brothers, for them
selves, dwelling, corner of Hudson
and Juniper avenues, $4,000.
To Schlenzig Brothers, for them
selves, dwelling, Hudson and Juniper
avenues, SO, 1900.
To G. ]. Scully and Son, contractors,
for John Brennan, a garage, on Wild
wood avenue neal boardwalk, $500.
To E. T. Donaldson, contractor and
owner, Montgomery avenue, West of
Hudson, dwelling, $1,4O0.
T. ]. ]. Hayes, contractor and
owner, Davis avenue, West of Arctic
avenue, dwelling, $1,000.
To S. P. Morey, contractor, for J.
H. Gaiser, Wildwood avenue, West Of
Hudson, dwelling, $1,000.
To Rufus P. Hays, contractor, for
Wildwood Bungalow Co., Poplar i've