RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 112, 3 December 1908, Page 5

RANDOM REMARKS.

[Contributions to this column are always welcome from any part of the district. The Editor does not vouch for ike authenticity of the stories, nor is he responsible for the criticisms.] Whun the suggestion of purchasing a .metal crushing plant was proposed the last meeting of the County Council, Councillor Were, in suggesting that a committee be set up to go into the matter of ways and means, said "when he wanted to buy n pair of breeks he liked to know the cost." While agreeing in general with the principle, most people will allow that there are times when, a pair of breeks would be cheap at any price. Suppose the County Chairman was enjoying swim in the Mangaokewa and a practical joker removed his clothing, he would not be inclined to haggle over the price of nether garments. On the other hand, if he was a Heilandman he would not be at all concerned at anything but the value of kilts.

Judging by the results of the recent local option poll there is a droughty time ahead of the Dominion, and the King Country will shortly be the only saf-: place in which to establish a brewery. The Ashburton no-license people are up in arms over the proposal to establish a brewery on the borders of their town, and there is evidence that an entertaining and instructive controversy will ensue. There is nothing like the glare of publicity for testing any question which affects the community at large, and the pubile can usually be trusted to indicate emphatically whether Codlin or Short is the friend. There are times when the majority are faced with the problem of 'choosing between two issues, neither of which is desirable. and [they r can only emphasise their opinion by refusing to choose. Still, by following the law of average, which is the safe law, the public ends are served extremely well by publicity. The foregoing cryptic remark may not bear the imprint of simplicity, but when a brewery is the. subject in hand, what can the public expect?

The oldest inhabitant, who has been out of town for some time, returned unexpectedly the other day and delivered himself of certain remarks concerning the state of things in general. The prevailing dulness in the sporting line struck the old fellow as strange, seeing that he had just returned from having a good time with the rod and line at a place which he declares to be a sportsman's paradise. To print the story as told would be to encourage a general exodus from the busy haunts of man. Suffice it to say that fish in fabulous numbers, and of unusual size abound in beautiful, shingle-bedded rivers, and rnosquitos at night are not troublesome. The fish are supposed to be trout of the rainbow variety, but not being an angler, I got the impression that a new breed of fresh water ■whale must have been introduced into the river in question. It's a dreadful pity that anglers should have earned a reputation for unreliability in the matter of fish, but I can quite understand an enthusiast being carried away by such an experience as that which the oldest inhabitant related to me. However that is another story.

New Zealand politicians during the recent election campaign were practically unanimous in the opinion that a respite from legislation was necessary, and that our political energies should for a time be devoted to administering the laws at present in force. Various meanings may bo attributed to such a declaration. Possibly the Government is content to rest on its past reputation, or possibly it wants to have breathing space, and time to just "see where 'e are." Apparently the weary legislators are not to be allowed the blessing of sweet and undisturbed rest. The very latest suggestion comes from the benevolent trustees of Dunedin, who recommend the establishing of a labour colony, where the loafer will be forced to work. Such a highly inconsiderate action, from the loafer's point of view, well doubtless bring a speedy and just retribution. Moreover, it is well known that a horse can easily be brought to water, but getting it to drink is a horse of another colour. A prominent legislator considers the only way to coerce loafers into working is to [send them to parliament. Another suggestion is to turn them loose on the Native Land laws which are badly in need of revi non.

At the last meeting of the Waitomo County Council the question of machine versus hand labour in metal breaking was raised. The general opinion appeared to be that hand labour was the more economical method in the case of small quantities. One is forcibly reminded of the stock election anecdote, which was retailed recenlty by Mr Jennings. The candidate, on being faced by a. toiler with the question of whether he was in favour of having stone broken by hand or by machine, gravely replied "I am".