RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 434, 27 January 1912, Page 7

RANDOM REMARKS.

Willow, the King, has arrived at Te Kuiti, and cricket is popular in the land. ATe Kuiti team journeyed to Taumarunui on Saturday last and the visit is being returned to-day. Such an unexpected feast of matches is likely to lead to a surfeit and our players will be in danger of getting into form. The team that jouneyed to Taumarunui on Saturday must have allowed its attention to wander from the object in view, judging by the scores. Many excuses are advanced for the poor showing by the visitors. Some say "bad wicket," others "bad cricket," while a calumnious rumour has been circulated to the effect that hospitality had something to do with the result. Personally, I forbear to express an opinion. Some of the tourists have been heard to darkly mutter to themselves, "a time will come." —Just so.

Notwithstanding the weather, I am infomed the trip was highly enjoyable, though a note of regret was sounded over the absence of the brilliant Lancashire performer, whose century of a couple of seasons back will long live in the memory of all cricketers good and true. As matters turned out his presence would have been invaluable. The debacle in Te Kuiti's innings 15 hard to account for. The wicket was wet and apparently the players suffered in like manner. The bowling was good but the ball was not difficult to stop providing one did not mind where. However, Te Kuitians are sinning in good company. The Australians have just tasted the ashes of defeat, and are busy vowing resolutions for next time. In cricket, as in other sports, there is always a future. Our players can at least taste the delights of anticipation.

The cares of public office demand from the man who is rash enough to undertake them certain attributes which make for greatness. Failing the possession of the said attributes the cares are apt to get him down and worry him. Poiticians are said to be Bhort lived; they are certainly hard worked. Still they are paid something for their services. It is the man who, in the commendable desire to further the interests of his district, accepts an honorary position entailing a considerable amount of labour, and an iniinite amount of the highest qualities found in mankind, who has my sympathy. As was said by a speaker on Monday evening last he invariably gets more kicks than ha'-pence. Incidentally, his character is torn to shreds by the people he is edeavouring to serve ; and he loses that trusting faith in human nature with which his life was sweetened when he started out to "serve the people."

The strangest feature of public life, however, is the fact that, despite the drawbacks referred to, the man who has once put his hand to the public plough, rarely turns back. Sometimes his fighting instinct is roused; sometimes a natural desire to justify himself in the eyes of his friends inspires him, while in rare cases he becomes a philosopher and, firmly convinced of the worthiness of his aims, pursues the even tenor of his public way, content in the knowledge that it is the work which matters, not the individual. Obviously, only the finest type of human being can stand the strain, and the manifestation of a little human weakness occasionally is readily excused. The desire of the president of the A. and P. Association to take a trip to Auckland, returning on February 16th is quite understandable. Unfortunately inclination and public duty have a knack of clashing. To our credit be it said that inclination rarely wins.

The cow is undoubtedly the saviour of the country and she should certainly be enshrined and adored by outback settlers In olden days the calf was imaged in gold, and the knee was bent to it in worship by the multitude until an irate authority with a definite mission in life apart from cow smote the image with an axe or some such weapon. But the happenings of ancient days are not likely in modern times. Considering that the cow is providing bread as well as butter for the settlers, and is directly responsible for the metalling of outback roads there is much to be said in favour of cow worship. I merely mention the incident of the golden calf to show that cow worship is dignified by age. Whether age excuses the fashion or not is quite a different matter.