Random Remarks.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 85, 5 June 1908, Page 3

Random Remarks.

[Contributions to this column are always welcome trom any part of the district. The editor does not_ vouch for the authenticity ot the stories, nor is he responsible for the criticisms.]

Hard things are occasionally spoken of the Press by thoughtless people, and even by the considerate it is doubtful if :i full measure of credit is bestowed upon the members ot the fourth estate. The virtues accredited to the Press in general are usually ot the neutral order, and it is with diffidence that I claim for it the distinction of being an agency in the cause of social reform. Of all the evils least amenable to the ordinary influences of decency, the sporting liar is perhaps the most striking example. Clothed in respectability and bearing an irreproachable character in other respects, the person who takes his holiday with rod or gun is a unit to be feared in the community. _ His alluring stories and insidious influence have turned many a guileless youth from the narrow path and led them through by ways of deceit to their own destruction. But, at last, there are symptoms of awakening conscience, and a 3'earning for the higher plane of existence. One evening during the week I met a man with a gun, and upon greeting him with the usual query as to how the birds had fared, he actually confessed to missing a fine cock. Certainly he qualified the admission by stating he could have shot the bird sitting, but such a deed revolted him. The qualification is an obvious weakness, still, for a sport to admit in cold blood that he missed a bird ! Surely the regeneration of the cult has commenced.

Sunday last was a day making one feel glad to be alive ; bright, beautiful, exhilarating and health giving, and ought to have lifted people's thoughts away from the sordid things of earth to something more elevating. And now that Te Kuiti has emerged from the barbaric age of ti-tree and swamp into a township of fair dimensions, one naturally expects .to find the amenities of the Sabbath respected. " Butfrelics of barbarism die hard." Th£* fbund® of a hammer could be heard not far from a Church, but perhaps it was only seeking to prove the maxim, " The nearer the kirk the farer frae grace." In the suburbs a paint brush, thinking " the better the day the better the deed," was busily employed in beautifying its owner's new home by painting the walls. In Taupiri-street a football had 'evidently mistaken Sunday for Saturday, and was being chased and rather roughly handled by a howling mob of irresponsibles, who in their innocent ignorance, were unaware that to brutally kick even an erring football on a public thoroughfare is an offence in the sight of the law.

The Premier is coming to Te Kuiti! There is no earthly reason why the Premier should not come to Te Kuiti, but the simple announcement during the week seemed to stir the populace to enthusiasm. The enthusiasm, it may be remarked, was not on the Premier's account, but, like the cynic's definition of gratitude, was by reason of the expectation of benefits to come. However, speaking of benefits, it is to be hoped the town will spread itself to do honour to the occasion, and give Sir Joseph a good time when he does arrive. A man is always more inclined to lend a sympathetic ear to people who have treated him well; and the lady who exhorted her sisters to " feed the brutes " to keep them good tempered, had more than a passing acquaintance with masculine nature.

A man with large ideas is always admirable ; even when the ideas are impracticable from every point of view, the individual responsible is always able to attract a certain amount of attention. Possibly the attraction lies in the fact that so few people can be accused of having ideas of any shape ; then, again, to have ideas beyond a certain bulk is unusual, and size is apt to be impressive. The person responsible for arranging the Premier's programme in this district, cannot be charged with possessing small ideas, as, from the tone of the telegram conveying the news of the projected visit, it is evidently intended that the party shall proceed to Wairere and open the bridge, return to Te Kuiti, and attend a political meeting at that centre in the evening. The local people realise that it is only possible to carry out such a programme by using flying machines. The Premier is known to be a man of progressive ideas, and the importance of the motor car, as a means of traction, appeals to him. Possibly, in this instance, a desire to impress upon the people the utility of the airship is the controlling motive.

The Post-office difficulty has been bulking largely in the public view at Te Kuiti for a considerable time, and hopes are entertained that the coming visit of Sir Joseph Ward will settle definitely the question of site, and everything else in connection with the matter. It has been suggested that as the Premier is bound to require the use of the Post-office while at Te Kuiti, it would not be a bad idea to allow him to try and find outmost important public building. Sir Joseph is an experienced general, and would probably follow the wires. Moreover, if he lingered outside the office he would have the doubtful pleasure of hearing his telegram being despatched to the wierd accompaniment of R for roads, U for un, S for speakable, T for tenure, B for

bad, W for well the W might mean anything " according to the taste and fancy of the speller," as Sam Weller remarked.