15 FEBRUARY 1952, Page 13

SPECTATOR COMPETITION No. 105 Set by Mervyn Horder A special

form of official sentimentality manifests itself in the attempt to improve the status of certain downtrodden persons by a tactful change of name : e.g., dustmen are rechristened " street orderlies," distressed areas " scheduled areas," etc. A prize of £5, which may be divided, is offered for the rechristening, in similar fashion, of any four of the following—who have been known by their present names too long anyway : an undesirable alien, a sewerman, a M.F.H., a stockbroker, a dentist, a strike-leader, a cat's-meat man, a book reviewer.

Entries must be addressed to the Spectator, 99 Gower Street, W.C.1, in envelopes marked " Competition," and must be received not later than February 27th. Results will be published in the Spectator of March 7th.