RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 442, 24 February 1912, Page 3

RANDOM REMARKS.

By Onlooker.

Gardening is popular in Te Kuiti just now, and too much praise cannot be accorded to the beneficent influence which has brought about such a satisfactory state of things. Volumes might be written extolling the virtues of gardening, its health-giving results to mind and body being not the least of its many recommendations. But they would not be written by me. I have never done any gardening, and never intend to if I can avoid it. This statement is made, I admit, in an unusual burst of candgur, and it may be found impossible to adhere to it under the strain of certain domestic influences. However, the weakest of mortals may be inspired to heroic deeds of resistance when principle is at stake. This movement, which is spreading in a wave throughout the district has its fester spot, however, and in certain instances is calculated to undermine the moral character of otherwise estimable citizens.

I have a neighbour whose name is not Jones. He is a highly industrious man in his usual walk of life, and his leisure time has hitherto been devoted to other things than gardening, while his moral character, prior to the advent of the gardening craze, was beyond reproach. At least it seemed to be. After all, who can penetrate the dark recesses of the human mind, who answer for the complex workings of the imagination when attacked by the insidious influence of cabbage, parsnip or potato, tu say nothing of the gay and flaunting sweet pea, or the cloying scent of the seductive honeysuckle. My neighbour, who in past years had been a devotee of sport, suddenly took to bowls. This, no doubt, should have warned his friends, but little was thought of the circumstanes at the time. Evidently the combination of bowls and gardening proved too much. The man had the grace to withhold from entering the garden competition at the Horticultural Show, but he talked quietly and convincingly to his friends of what he could have done. Later he invited me to come and admire his work.

We walked together from town, the journey being lengthened by_ my friend's conversation on the delights of gardening "The gloriou3 early roomings,don't you know,when the sun lifts over the Eastern hills and fills the world with brightness —makes a man feel good, and inspires him with high intentions and firm purpose for the day. Besides, one gets interested, and acquires a greater, and more sympathetic understanding of Nature's purpose. It's a splendid thing! Even when ,- t's raining one gets so jolly restless in bed when daylight comes that it is impossible to remain. I just shove on some old togs, and wander round. The raindrops on the leaves are so beautiful they almost inspire one to poetry. The experience is a pleasant change from sunshine. Then the delight and satisfaction of knowing you have done all the work yourself. By Jove! it perpetuates one's youth. Brace" you up, and er-er, yes; come round this way; there's a spot you mustn't miss." We had arrived at the gate. The break in my friend's conversation was caused by the sight of a man working in the garden. I knew the man. He was a professional gardener. There are several morals to the story, and there are innumerable stories to every moral. Personally, I own to a weakness for a story regardless of moral so long as it be cleanly and told and without venom. For the sake of those who yearn for the moral there may be some significance in the fact that my friend has forsworn bowls.

Stirring times, indeed, are these, and the social and political atmosphere is charged with thunder clouds, bringing anxious moments to all. Still, clouds are proverbially silver-lined, and it is not to be doubted that those which at present dim the radiance of the heavens will gradually pass, and the silver lining will bespeak renewed peace and serenity to mankind in general. There is one happening, however, which will long be remembered by the juvenile mind, and for which no alleviation can be made. The failure of the circus to materialise at Te Kuiti on the appointed day was a deep and dire disappointment, and will long be remembered as a woeful circumstance by boyhood in general. Of a truth, this is a vale of tears! After all, a circus may be of greater importance than many things considered vital.