RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 483, 17 July 1912, Page 5

RANDOM REMARKS.

By Onlooker.

The incessant wet and gloomy weather bids fair to exercise a baneful influence on the national tempera, ment. It is difficult to remain cheerful without physical exercise, and to face the elements these times savours of the heroic, while the V.C. has been awarded for a deed less valorous than that of facing some of our roads. The Englishman, by envious foreigners, is said to take his pleasures sadly, while on the other hand he is supposed to meet adversity with just as little show of feeling. 1 have always considered this to be merely an exhibition of national pride, but in the light of past weather, after a wet summer and an unspeakable winter during which to make observations and reflect thereon, the conclusion is forced upon me that it is the natural result of weather.

The continuous experience of dull, gray skies and rain swept landscape, varied only by Scotch mists and no landscape at all, is not calculated to inspire a nation with the same cheerful optimism which should pervade a nation accustomed to something infinitely brighter in the way of sky and landscape. It says much for the English character that it is capable of taking pleasure in any shape or form under weather conditions which often prevail in the tight little island. No wonder they are tight. Many a nervjaded spirit has been driven to drink as a result of such experience.

In young countries where the inhabitants live close to nature; where adolescence lingers long in the veins. and the call of the primeval finds ready response in the hearts of budding youth and staia middle age, it is natural that the sporting instinct should abound. Sport, and a certain tpye of humour are natural concomitants, but the sport is frequently a shy bird, and reticent regarding his little jokes. As before remarked, the state of the weather of late has rendered it impossible to indulge ably in sport, but, driven to desperation on a recent date certain Te Kuiti residents originated a brilliant programme to lighten the dull hours. They are gun sports with clean, bright records to maintain, and on an ideal flhooting daysallied forth to slaughter all the game in the neighbourhood. 11l fortune dogged their footsteps. Neither feather nor fur were saen during a weary tramp, and ■ not a shot was fired.

Argument arose as to who was the best shot till at length the wag of the party suggested that hats should be thrown in the air, and the rivals should have a shot apiece at each other's hat to settle the dispute. Up in the air went the Englishman's hat. Bang! went the Irishman's gun, and shreds of felt were scattered far and wide. The Englishman's laugh was a trifle hollow, but he had next shot, and he prepared to blow his rival's hat into the next county. A gust of wind caught the Irishman's hat, and blew it downwards towards the waiting sport who sighted carefully, and pulled the trigger. The unexpected followed the explosion. The hat continued its downward courße and settled gently at the shootist's feet, and on its shiny surface not a blemißh was to be seen. Again the laugh rang out, and the Englishman guilefully suggested he had purposely missed the hat as it was a new one. His laugh again rang hollow when it was explained to him that his gun had been carefully loaded with blank cartridges. The wag is living in strict retirement, and a sport with a mission is offering a bonus for the most artistically conceived plot to get even. Plots to be marked private, and addressed to Hangatiki.

To-day is the fifth anniversary of the arrival at Te Kuiti of Mr White, who waa the first stationmaster appointed to the local railway station. Since his appointment Mr White has seen remarkable changes in the town, not the least of which has been the very complete scheme of improvements in the railway station and yards. Five years ago Mr White did the whole work of the station himself, but he soon required assistance, and the staff has gradually increased until the number has reached thirteen. The station yard is now equipped with no less than two miles of sidings, with up-to-date stock yarns, goods sheds, and engine*house where three engines are housed. The traffic is constantly increasing and the station is already one of the busiest on the Main Trunk line. Situated at the base of a big climb to the Poro-o-tarao tunnel, Te Kuiti is a dumping ground for a considerable amount of goods in tansit, and the number of special trains commissioned is a feature of the station. Throughout his period of office Mr White has handled the increasing business with conspicuous ability, and in all his work has met the public with unfailing courtesy. The next five years is likely to see a similar increase in business, and with Mr White in charge, there is eve-y reason to look forward to the satisfactory handling of the work of the station.

It is assumed by some that brains and brawn are not natural affinities, and many an argument is heard for and against- such assumption. Without committing oneself it may be said that the over cultivation of the physical probably cannot be indulged in without sacrificing, to a certain extent, the action of the gray matter which is supposed to direct the actions of the human machine. On the other hand the over cultivation of the gray matter sometimes ends in the lunatic asylum. It may, therefore, be predicated that a happy medium exists which it would be wise for mankind to accept. The amount of brain and brawn exercised by certain well known residents in respect to a recent competition to decide physical superiority may be left to my

readers to decide. A pair of giants, rendered vainglorious by virtue of a few day's intermittent practice with fern hooks, paraded their prowess before their friends, and challenged the world to a competition in scrub cutting. The gage was promptly accepted by a pair of townsmen long past their prime, who, fired with memories of past deeds, undertook to prick the bubble reputation of the sons of Anak. The competition duly eventuated, and the townsmen won. Whether th« result has shed any light on the vexed question of brains versus brawn is a matter of opinion.