RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 117, 21 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 the authenticity of the stories, nor is he responsible for the criticisms.]

'' Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings comes wisdom" we are told on good authority. Something has also been said regarding the multitude of counsel and wisdom. However, the average man is content to allow the present day babe to exercise its wisdom in cutting its teeth and performing certain other natural functions usually associated with the suckling stage. Counsel is a different matter, but in Te Kuiti there is extreme difficulty in getting a multitude together for the purpose of obtaining the much desired counsel. At any meeting called for the purpose of discussing some matter of general public importance, half-a-dozen is a crowd, and a double figure attendance would probably result in some of the audience getting injured in the crush. Why is this thus? Are the people so accustomed to having things done for them that they have come to regard it as the natural duty of the devoted few, or are they so spiritless, so blind to their own and each others' interests, that they are content, as a public, to accept what is given them, and feel grateful for the leavings of more enterprising communities? Perish the thought!

Sir Joseph Ward has done many things to earn the admiration of the people and deserves well of them. He must have experienced an intense relief when ho found that the task of re-arranging his cabinet had been accomplished for him by the Taumarunui electors at the Ohakune banquet tendered to Mr Jennings on Thursday last. Railways, Public Works and Lands are rather important portfolios to fill, and the Prime Minister has confessed to anxious moments in considering the situation. The Ohakune people, with a breezy confidence, and an enviable disregard for minor details, solved the problem which has been agitating the press, public, and remnants of the Ministry since the general election. The solution is eminently simple, and it is really amazing that to Ohakune should belong the hononur of discovering it. Mr Jennings is the solution. Endow the member for Taumarunui with the lot. The other Ministers have performed their duties satisfactorily hitherto and it would be a pity to disturb them. Mr Jennings' acquiescence was taken for granted, 'and according to Ohakune opinion, the man who can satisfactorily represent Taumarunui, is capable of running the whole Ministry let alone two or three Departments.

The King Country townships are to be clothed with dignity and henceforth will be known to fame as the proud possessors of local governing bodies in the shape of Native Town Councils. It is the Christmas surprise packet of Santa Claus and the Native Minister, and is evidently intended to gladden our hearts and fit us to participate in the Christmas festivities; to send the wassail round, and make the welkin ring with shouts of joy and gladness. It is to be hoped the njws will be circulated freely so that all may learn the glad tidings before the festive day approaches. At present a serene and holy calm pervades the township atmosphere, and judging by the stoic indifference of the inhabitants at the first mention of the news, there is danger of a charge of ingratitude being levelled against them. Strangely enough, Otorohanga has not been heard Erom and Taumarunui has omitted to forward congratulations. However, we live in an absent-minded world where courtesies are frequently disregarded and the most striking honours are accepted as a matter of course.

Some people are born to trouble; others have trouble thrust upon them. These have our sympathy; but the man who deliberately and methodically accumulates trouble for himself may be safely left to dree his wierd, whatever that may be. The term sounds formidable, and I've always considered it meant [something worse than capital punishment. But to return to the man of trouble —a party by the name of Flynn, who has just'been arrested on a charge of polygamy. We have frequently heard of men who were not content with less than two wives, and we have felt that admiration was too mild a term to apply to our feeling for their courage. But three —perhaps more. Words fail before such reckless bravery, and the pen is useless to describe the feeling of bewilderment which possesses the ordinary man when he contemplates the action m all its phases. Some may hastily dub the man insane, but that is hardly a tribute to the gentler sex, three of whom were willing to accept him for better or worse. In considering such instances the most versatile are driven to platitudes, and the old saw that "it takes all sorts to make a world" is a handy refuge.