RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 459, 24 April 1912, Page 3

RANDOM REMARKS.

By "Onlooker."

It is announced that the Rev. F. Mitchell, who for the past five years has conducted the Congregational Church at Te Kuiti, has received and accepted a call to the Beresford street Church, Auckland. During this occupancy of the Te Kuiti charge, Mr Mitchell has been something infinitely more than the ordinary country parson. In the early days, shortly after he started his church. Mr Mitchell, besides ministering to the spiritual wants of his flock, attended to the physical needs of his own and anyone else's parishioners. At that time the district was without a doctor, and wherever sickness or accident called Mr Mitchell was always to be found as as a good horse could get him there, and on his head rests many a blessing from lips unaccustomed to the utterance of benedictions. His strenuous efforts for the spiritual and physical well being uf the people; his quiet earnestness and unassuming simplicity have won for Mr Mitchell a high place in the regard of people of all denominations throughout the district. He will be greatly missed. The Auckland people are to be congratulated on the acquisition of a good man, and a capable minister. Mr Mitchell carries with him the good wishes of all.

It is gratifying to see that a deeper interest is being taken in the public library of Te Kuiti, than has been the case for some time past. Originally established by the few European inhabitants of Te Kuiti about eleven years ago the library for several years filled a very important niche in the life of the small community. Always prominent among those who assisted in the management of the institution Miss Melling can claim association with the library from its inception. For the whole of the period Miss Melling has acted as librarian, and to her efforts the continuation of the institution through a period of public lethargy is mainly due. It is pleasing to note that the services rendered by° Miss Melling have been recognised by those who have been responsible for the promotion of the greater project, and the lady's name was the first to be proposed for the committee.

The pasaing of the present month sees a change in the Mayoral chair at Te Kuiti, and the dignity attaching to civic leadership passes from Mr Boddie to Mr Hardy. The former gentleman has occupied the office from the time the town wa? formed into a borough, and during his term, which has extended over two years, the various improvements at present under way were initiated. To Mr Boddie's puhlic spirit and knowledge of the ramifications of local government the town is much indebted. The progressive policy inaugurated by the first Mayor and Council will exercise a lasting influence on the town. It has set a standard of public on progressive lines which cannot fail to promote the welfare of the district and teach a valuable lesson to succeeding councils. Since perfection is not to be met with on earth, nobody will contend that Te Kuiti's first council was without flaw,or that it did not make mistakes. Compared with other pioneer local bodies it will always bear favourable comment, and for this the public should be grateful. A special meed of gratitude should be tendered to Mr Boddie for his guidance of the council in its uncertain infancy, and for the time ungrudgingly devoted to the interests of the public.

Mr Hardy takes office to carry to completion the work initiated by the first Mayor and council. As a member of the first council the new Mayor should be eminently fitted for the position,and for the promoting of further financial operations which will undoubtedly be necessary to complete the present schemes and carry them on to meet the growing requirements of a rapidly extending town. As indicated by his public announcement Mr Hardy is thoroughly imbued with the responsibility attaching to the position,and will always stand for progress and economical administration. The duties and limitations of the local body are clearly defined, and admit of little deviation save in respect of the adoption of a policy of progress as opposed to one of stagnation. The advocates of the latter usually pride themselves on being conservatively steady and safe, forgetful nf the fact that it is possible to be highly progressive and Bafe at the same time. Little merit attaches to the cunservative attitude except that it requires little thought or effort, while the progressively safe policy requires the unremitting application of the best business activities which the individual members of the council possess. Judging from past pxperience it is safe to forecast that Mr Hardy will not lag behind in his efforts to promote the best interests of the town.

Fresh marvels are being continually presented to the world as the result of digging. The old Eastern world, which existed so many aeons ago, is being gradually uncovered by the indefatigable searchers after archaeological treasures. Resultant upon the searchers' efforts the world is becoming acquainted with the history and habits of ancient peoples who lived and worked and fought after the manner of we moderns. Such discoveries, however, are not entirely confined to the tired and hoary East. Te Kuiti is comparatively modern, even for New Zealand, yet

underneath the streets we tread there is evidence that an ancient civilisation existed which dates much further back than the memory of the oldest inhabitant. A drain was uncovered in Rora street recently, and at a depth of eight feet were discovered relics in the shape of glass which indicate that the former denizens of the locality were possessed of very similar knowledge and usages to the present inhabitants. Upon the discovery being made known to an old resident, he smiled a knowing smile and hinted darkly that if the town was thoroughly prospected glass that: was unbroken and shaped identical with the modern bottle would be found at a less depth than eight feet.

Mortal flesh is weak, and the things that man proposes to do are frequently interfered with by the natural tendencies to which we are all subject. Travellers by the night express journeying to Te Kuiti are often worried by the feeling that by the time the train arrives they will be peacefully slumbering, and will be overcarried to the next stopping place. In excuse for the worried feeling it may be said that cases of ovecarrying have occurred. This is quite understandable, and no doubt accounts for the elaborate precautions adopted by many Te Kuitians against the seductions of the Slumbur God. It has remained for a recent arrival to go one better, and get out at Frankton Junction under the impression that he was close to his own hearth and home. A simple explanation of the occurrence would at once present itself but for the fact that the person referred to "doesn't touch it." Moreover, there were weighty reasons for his return, and he is regarded as a conscientious man who endeavours to live up to the. best traditions of his race. At the same time a horrid suspicion remains that for once —perhaps the first time--a friend psrsuaded the haples3 one to trv a new brand.