WAYSIDE NOTES.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 422, 19 May 1904, Page 5

WAYSIDE NOTES.

[By " Searchlight."]

From a local in the last issue of the Herald, I learned that the newlyformed Clyde Debating Society are about to predict the future of thennear neighboured compare it with their own. Now, one has not the .lightest objecion to the ***** dw ; cuiing the leading feature* that tend to the future prosperity of their own little rilUge, but one does object to one's backyard being played in by those who caustically brake their neighbour's fa! re prosperity. Modesty, if nothing *i- laight have restrained this youthtu 11 i exuberant debating society -ting in their neighbour's hca -i . -ed fact,« That Clyde has g g, a ,; t .. | atuw before it than Alexandra " V nether this matter of fact itatement is debateable or not is open to question; for the assertion, being expressed positively, admits of no doubt. The terms of the proposition are explicit enough; but the whole bears the impress of An axiom which requires no proof,and, indeed, is incapable of proof. lam not hypocritical •nough to assume that the proposition will not, by means of reasoning, be proved to the satisfaction of the sock* ty • but there is ne direct proofs of demonstration in Clyde's past or present history, for its past glories have departed never to return, and its present condition i« moribund.

• • • * - Ido not adfeoae this young and fanciful debating society of mah* pnpam, 0 dear, no; but rather of luxuriant thoughtie9sness, L Spiced wrth a dash of seffishnew, which tickles without adding pungency to the flavour. Let me suggest to this society the following as a iubject for debate; " That owing to the village of Qyde lying between the two prosperous towns of Alexandra and Cromwell " tod considering the gradual decay of Clyde as a centre, this society deem» the time opportune for the County Council to seriously consider the adTOibility of removing the County Offices to either Cromwell or Alexandra," To diicuss a proposition of this nature is quite within the province of the Society, especially as it concerns their own future; but to deliberately predict their neighbour's future is fetie abort of presumptuous interfer--1 jtooe. lam sure this proposition must Smmehd itself to the common sense of the Society, as when it does, they will accept the inevitable. Let them, - m imagination, look with equanimity oa the future ashes of their town 9^ «nnwen\j»n<» ffined » unknelI J f d ' and ' to parody a verse of Byron. *AII except {Hyde's sun has set, Bee the "common epitaphs upon the common, h ft vear" unknown; aod t .in ending its : fife, unmercifully kicked its nearest neighbour."

The Austral Guard* Band has come, •laved, and lined the Amy's puree SSL oV dollars; butw* did not - " radge oar dollars for the muac *as well worth the money. TheJW™* 1 mcesflldtemted to ourown litttoband the excellence to which it fa P°"«™ff by steady practice, to attain- But practice alone will not bring a band to rhwh state of efficiency. There mu*t beHra each bandsman a keen apprecia- * tfon of the properties and dnereUtions bS tones, with which music deals, as well as a knowledge of the harmony of tones, combined with a sensitive ear. X bandmaster might as well try to nuke a silk puree froma sow's ear as try £^sa T efficient player out of a Z man whose soul, is devoid of music, for) that': hath no music in bimeeif, nor" m* roowi with CODOOgd . fa fit for treasons, ftntagema/enaV spoils.. •

5?"L3™ «■'-"■• The remark was sarcastic, yet un* : wittingly so, fop it came Bpontaneously, end "without premeditation. Thus rt 4l - was all the more catting, raising the laugh appreciative.: No one could fail toseelhe point as these words feU from the spaakerVlips: "The band will play to-night in the Town Hall, ~}ot whatever you like to call it. " « Wharieveryottlike to call it is conenoughs though not intended to be so; yet it went heme,.and 3<s* bear some fruit. I wffl make the foltowing suggestion for the * Borough Council to ruminate over. The Council should at once proceed to borrow a sufficient sum to enlarge the Town Hall to include Council Chambers and library. The revenue from the rent of hall should be earmarked to pay infoiesl on loan and provide a sinking fund to liquidate the) debt Then we would get a hall an* library 'building of which we wouMhave no reason to be ashamed.