Indy,

Whenever you ask a racially motivated question like; "When did the Maoris (sic) actually start to teach & read printed words ?" I am wary with my answer,as often than not you are looking for an opportunity to unloaded on the subject of race with some disparaging remarks.

Again who was the first in your family who could read and write?

The presence of a front doorbell is implicit invitation to enter the property.

Issy Salutations

"The presence of a front doorbell is implicit invitation to enter the property." By a side open window, when no one is home, and leave the same way with the colour telly.

Issy has just given me his morning count for doorbells in Australia

Doorbells 13,765,982
Knockers 7,218,567
No Front Door 327,476
Those living in a tent 25 435
Those living up a tree 3 and a half

Issy is presently somewhere west of the Black Stump checking the doorbell count on foot. He expects to report back sometime before the rainy season sets in.

Issy, when you worked as a full time 'Avon Lady' and part time 'Encyclopedia Seller' how many doorbells could you ring in a day? just asking. I believe the world record his held by a "Fuller Brush" salesman, Mr Fred Ziffle of Warmecock Nebraska at 27,568 doorbells rang in a single day. A little bird tells me you are up for the challenge!

Dear Dan,

«Ok, interesting. But what if you open the bedside draw in your room at a hotel or motel, and observe a Gideons Bible, what is your response?»

Not much really, it's a petty thing which I just tend to ignore.
It's been many years since I've been in a hotel/motel and as far as I remember, I never even bothered to open the bedside drawer.

When I want to look at the Bible, I read the original anyway, not a translation.

Unlike at home, for most people, finding a Bible in a hotel room is no big deal because they need not do anything about it. One exception is observant orthodox Jews who could not stay in the same room with a New-Testament, being considered an article of idol-worship which must be destroyed at all costs, so unless there is a fireplace in the room, this would likely result in a blocked toilet.

At home, I would find it awkward to either throw a Bible in the bin or to use it as a firewood starter, but suppose there are children in the house, then neither this nor hoarding would provide them with a good example.

you are looking for an opportunity to unloaded on the subject of race with some disparaging remarks.
Paul1405,
That's your domain, don't try to avert the focus on the subject, besides by far the more racist among us here is you.
As to who was the first in my family to read & write well, the school that I & all my forebears from our town attended has the date 1500 chiseled into the stone door step !

Remember how 'Telstra' would leave you the White and Yellow pages, in Sydney it was 2 big volumes of each. I would no soon finish reading last years White pages and this years would arrive. They made great door stoppers! Just the other day I had a delivery of a very small Yellow pages, oh how times have changed.