Random Remarks.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 89, 3 July 1908, Page 3

Random Remarks.

[Contributions vo ibis o:>lumn are alwavs welcome from any VKirt of the district. The editor does not vouch for the authenticity of the: stories, noils he responsible for the criticisms.]

Judging by the weather experienced of iste Jupiter Pluvious has not melted to the blandish meats of the poet, and as a result terrestrial conditions watery in the extreme. Still, before arriving at hasty conclusions, it wouldbe well to give the bard the benefit of the doubt. Possibly, the Rain God was melted too much and dissolved into tears, in which case.our-watery-visitation is due to sympathy. However, all sympathy is not sweet, even to erring "mortals, and the Poet is exhorted to make a further appeal to. the Deity, returning thanks for sympaty to date, but pointing out in the delicate terms, inspired only by the true poetic spirit, that at present a Spartan restraint of emotion is the truest sympathy 'which can be offered at this season of the year. Thus, and thus only, can our Poet hope to rehabilitate himself in the estimation of his fellow-sufferers. Moreover-,-it can safely be said, the accomplishment of such an object is for the benefit of mankind/as' it is known in the King Country. Were the deluge adulterated judiciously it might be acceptable, but water .straight—Perish the,thought.

A spirit of true liberality and broadmindedness is one of the highest attributes of man, and should be sedulously cultivated by the rising generation. Like all other desirable things, however, the said attribute is capable of various constructions under different circumstances. Taking an average interpretation and matters affecting the general mass of humanity are most safely dealt with in averages—the truly liberal-minded man endeavours to coniform to a broad social code—written or unwritten. In addition the liberalminded person refrains at all times from offending the susceptibilities of those with whom he comes into contact. Susceptibility may sometimes be spelt prejudice, and even the.most liberal have their" prejudices, but in the matter of Suijdaj'obsjrvance it is not mere prejudice whichlias decreed that the Sabbath shall be set apart, and be observed not as other days. Apart from the religious aspect of the question, it is a tradition of our race and an affirmed principle according to Act of Parliament. All this is in connection with Sunday observance in the King Country, and it is to be hoped our young men will, endeavour to practice"broadly those liberal doctrines which, to their credit be it said, are held by the average young New Zcalander.

Tweedledee and tweedledum are popularly supposed to be closely related, and as abstract terms arc in frequent use tq denote the greatest possible degree of similarity; A prominent speaker at. Mr., Massey's banquet declared 'that the. politics,.of the Premier a'hd!'the.'Leader.,q|-the-.Op-position coiild be'likened to the terms mentioned. Possibly this is so, but if the remark be true'the public of New Zealand is longer suffering than even the average public is proverbially held to be. Assuming the Te Kuiti man's estimate to be correct, the idea of the rival leaders perambulating the colony, denouncing each other's policy, and endeavouring to convert the public from one set of political ideas to something exactiy similar, is extremely humorous. Moreover, there is a delicate compliment enwrapped in the suggestion, though, for which of the leaders it is meant. I leave to the public to decide. Whether the public should feel complimented at such a state of affairs is also open for an expression of opinion. The position seems to lend itself naturally to the socialistic element with which both leaders seem anxious to deny sympathy. •

At last the people in and around. Te Kuiti are beginning to believe that there is a reasonable prospect of seeing metalled roads in the district. The engine for the stone crusher arrived at the railway station on Monday last and has since been the centre of attraction for all and sundry. " Hope deferred maketh the heart sick," and it is amusing to see how doubtful the people stillafe of the bona fides of the Government as to the crusher, and the fact that only portion of the plant has arrived is construed by some to mean that another disappointment is in store. An electioneering dodge is the charge which is freely levelled at. the authorities, but, previous experience notwithstanding, I sincerely believe the decisive step has been taken and in a very short time the journey outback will be one of unbroken monotony, and reminiscenses of the early settlers will sound wearisome to the ear. of the new comers. It is said that opportunity makes the man, and when the Awakino road is metalled it will be sad to think of the limitless fund of opportunity to eloquence lying buried beneath the metal.