RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 463, 8 May 1912, Page 7

RANDOM REMARKS.

By Onloolcsr. The hour has come! The opportunity has arrived, and with it has come the band of people, animated by high resolve, and armed with that soul-elevating zeal which is the first essential to high achievement. At the meeting on Saturday evening for the purpose of forming a debating society a spirit of pure altruism pervaded the atmosphere. The llame burnt steadily throughout the meeting and at the conclusion one could not but feel the earth to be a good place to inhabit. There can be little doubt that in a reincarnated existence the founders of society would occupy a high place.

Fortunately for the society there is every prospect of a long winter. Some of the subjects mentioned as being worthy of the attention of members in debate have proved difficult of solution to many wise heads. However, that need be no cause for dismay. Young countries arß the birthplace of many things unthought of in older and more custom-enslaved lands, and, as previously stated, a lengthy winter is but commencing. My readers will be gratified to learn that there is every prospect of a start being made by the society on first causes. As one inspired speaker remarked "Attack the root of the root of the matter and you get to the fountain head."

The system of world evoluiton has been adversely criticised, and one aspiring member intends to introduce the whole subject, with a view to having the present method adjusted to better suit the requirements of the natives, or the Maori land question, or the Kawhia railway, or the state of the roads or something. To be candid, under the spell of the speaker's inspired eloquence the exact conclusion of the exhortation seems to have become entangled with the burning local questions of the day. However, the precise nature of the contention will be revealed in a convincing manner when the question comes up for debate. For, of course, there is to be a debate on the subject. Even a Te Kuiti society would scarcely undertake to alter the evolutionary system without according the matter deep consideration. * * * Te Kuiti residents at present have a district grievance against the Providence which admittedly shapes the ends of all individuals, and presumably performs the same office throughout the universe generally. Possibly the grievance should be directed against some controlling force of more material existence, but Providence is so accustomed to the shouldering of all sorts and conditions of responsibility that a trifle extra won't be noticed. In the present instance the immediate cause of complaint is that the river has been placed on the wrong side of the railway, or, rather, that the railway has been built on the wrong side of the river Some people would consider the people who built the railway were to blame for the calamity, but a desire to be impartial, and get back to first causes leads to the conclusion that Providence being responsible for the configuration of the country which necessitated the building of the railway in the position it occupies, the onus rests with Providence. * ••• * These cryptic remarks are inspired by the fact that the respective positions of railway and river are responsible for the non-production of road metal, which is such a desirable and much yearned-for commodity in the town at present. A considerable time ago the Borough Council, in pursuance of its policy of progress, and in order to justify its reputation a3 the most up-to-date local body in the Dominion purchased a crushing plant for the purpose of supplying road metal for the streets. The plant arrived by rail, and made a triumphal tour from the railway to the river bank. The river is spanned by a bridge : but on aproaching the structure the machine took fright and shied to the roadside. Evidently a crusher of more than ordinary discrimination, it seemed to recognise that its destiny was to bo fulfilled in crushing stone ana not bridges. After viewing the bridge carefu ly and considering the matter for several days, the machine sadly took its way to a vacant allotment close by. It is there still, and Te Kuiti streets remain unm n talled. The other day I noticed a group of residents examining and admiring the crusher. Under a rusty coating some lettering was discernible on a plate. One man, after carefully spelling the inscription, stood up with a look of disgust and made remarks about tho education of the colonial youth. "Rustin," he said, "of course it is rusting, but why in the name of fortune don't they teach peoijle to spell?" He was so moved over the matter that I hadn't the heart to explain that Rustin was probably the maker's name. This circumstance exemplifies the truth that small happenings, apparently unimportant in effect, bear in their wake a chain of influences which may lead to great and important issues.

Te Kuiti residents, mournfully viewing their muddy streets, and conscious of the possession of an up-to-date crushing plant, are left in doubt as to why the anomaly of mud, stone and crusher should exist in apparent harmony. Speaking impartially, I must admit a vote of censure should be passed. We are living in a rational age, and all the individuals responsible for the delay will doubtless find rational excuses for their respective actions in the matter. Between the river; the railway; the crusher,and the bridge it is difficult to know which to blame. Regretfully one is forced to the conclusion that Providence must bear the censure.