RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 115, 14 December 1908, Page 5

RANDOM REMARKS.

[Contributions to tiiis column are always welcome from any part of the district. The Editor does not vouch for the authenticity of the stories, nor is he responsible for the criticisms.]

The King Country is sometimes referred to as quiet, and slow, and uninteresting by the denizen of the city, who casually wanders through the country. Little he recks of the undercurrent of excitement which flows unceasingly through the social life of a certain portion of the community, which may justly be styled the old nobility; a community to whose efforts the past is indebted for much, and from whose reminiscenses the present draws at least recreation and enjoyment, to say nothing of the benefits of noble example. Wierd happenings are related, and deeds of daring are called to memory, which are sufficient in themselves to provoke at least the admiration of the present generation. When a re-union of the old nobility occurs excitement is apt to run high, and quite recently it was reported that an esteemed, and respected citizen effected a gallant rescue of a well-known resident who had thrown discretion to the winds, and was soaring on the wings of the past, until he found himself beyond his depth. The achievement has been reported to the Royal Humane Society and it is likely a certificate of merit will be awarded to the hero.

King Country residents have had frequent opportunities of acquiring an eductaion on the liquor laws of the Dominion, and their knowledge was further increased last week through the agency of several court cases, in which a number of people were charged with having brought liquor into the district without being able to satisfy a Magistrate that the liquor was not for sale. Without referring to the merits of the cases in question, one of which is forming a case for appeal, the fact is clearly demonstrated that a person may find it an extremely difficult matter to prove his innocence of any charge likely to be brought against him. A circumstance which does not appear to be clearly realised by people who bring liquor into a prohibited Native area, is that when called upon by the Police, those people are faced with the task of having to prove, clearly and convincingly (presumably by witnesses) that they have not parted with any of the liquor in any manner which might be construed to be a sale After weighing the position carefully the writer has decided to remain thirsty during the next drought.

THE HONIKIWI DANCE. Day set on Pirongia mountain steep And Honikiwi's ravines deep— Covered with fern and bush. The winding road, the schoolhouse small, Showed dancers for the country ball All eager for the crush. The horses that have carried far The Maoris and the Pakeha, Are tethered near the door. Here, just inside the door, we stay To hear Puru's fiddle play; Or Kohe's loud accordian gay Resounding more and more. And when the one and six is paid, And the Kia Oras have been said, And all due greetings have been made, We step inside the door. And truly 'tis a sight to see This gay and gallant company, All dancing here so merrily, Upon the well-scrubbed floor. For here forgot are all their woes, And no one minds a broken nose, And who cares for a few smashed toes Amongst these merry dancers. For want of room they're rather "pushed," And now and then a man gets "bushed," Or a fair lady sadly crushed, In going through the "lancers," And then the time comes bye-and-bye, For a good drink of hot "tea wai," Or a nice piece of tasty "kai," And smoke of good " torori," When from our smoke returned we found That George his graphaphone had

wound And fast the cylinder whirls round, And sings or tells a story. "Kooki" then a tale begins About his wife who broke his shins, And made him sit on upright pins, But this I can't explain. When George again his 'phone did > wind, This speech we were amused to find Was riproduced again. And so till twelve the fun goes on, Or I suspect 'twas nearer one, For when the. time was nearly run, The girls the clock put back. And so our pleasant evening ends And happy each one homewarcf wends, Full of the joys which nature sen/la When we have had Pur- whack.