RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 345, 15 March 1911, Page 6

RANDOM REMARKS.

"By Onlooker." "A roads and bridges member." How often lias the term been used by thoughtless people in a half patronising manner with respect to a ir_ember of Parliament for a country constiuency. Is it imagined that a man is a roads and bridges member from choice? A little thought, combined with a spice of knowledge concerning the requirements of our backblocks electorates, would serve to convey, even to an unimaginative townsman, that the procuring of decent roads for the backblocks was the chief work of all our country representatives, and a highly important item in the programme of the Government of the day. In the King Country we doff our hats to the roads and bridges member and murmur a pious wish that his work will be blessed; that bis reputation as a roads and bridges member will increase and become unique in the history of Parliament. Considering the matter seriously I am of opinion that by the time a country representative has finished wrestling for his roads and bridges with the Minister for Public Works his spare moments will be few and will probably be devoted to deep and searching thought.

On the subject of roads I see there are signs of a healthy revival of interest on the part of the public in connection with the metalling of Te Kuiti-Awakino main road. The work has hitherto proceeded swimmingly, and if the same workmanlike attitude is persisted in for another few weeks those who would fain murmur will have little ground for complaint. That, of course, is as it should be. Agitation to some people is as the breath of ilfe, and we have been encouraged by Parliamentarians to clamour for our public needs. To the average peace-loving mortal, however, the waging of a strenuous War for every public: requirement is distressing. Such a necessity is a distinct injustice to the King Country. The fervid, strenuous life in the hot season is conducive to a raging thirst, a thirst which some assert is accentuated by drinking limestone water. The moral is obvious. Also it has the merit of being adjustable, according to the taste and fancy of the moraliser. _ There are some good athletes in the King Country, as evidenced by the recent sports gathering at Te Kuiti. Good bowlers too, are said to exist. The statement is made with reserve, as I have been warned not to take too much notice of bowlers' opinions particularly of themselves. The warning was well meant, but, like many other well meant statements, it is liable to hamper one, unless taken in moderation. Ths angler, the shootist, the golfer, are all case hardened to outside opinion, but the bowler may be a sensitive, shrinking plant, liable to wither under adverse criticism, and dwell morbidly and pessimistically upon life and its circumstances when I exposed to a careless and callous j public. Judging from the illustrated I papers, the bowler is fond of being photographed. Club patriotism may be accountable for the habit as one ; naturally wishes to make a club pic- | ture presentable by being included in ! the members' group. Whether Te ! Kuiti Club has been photographed or i not I am in darkness, but it is ru- : moured that an attempt was made to ) procure a picture of the touring team ; at Te Aroha and the camera refused j to act.