RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 515, 6 November 1912, Page 3

RANDOM REMARKS.

By Onlooker. situations require heroic remedies, and our Borough Councillors are determined to place the loan proposals in such a position that even the most fastidious will find no fault. No doubt the idea is to be commended in a general sense, but a wonderful lot of diversion would have been missed by the public had the proposals been perfect to ail tastes in the first instance. Councillors need not lose any sleep over the fact that criticism has been levelled at the present proposals. The fact that they are working for the public and fulfilling a function systematically and sedulously avoided by others is sufficient indication that they are taking a keener and broader interest in the affairs of the town than the majority of their critics. Moreover, their position emphasies the point that they are much more likely to understand the general wants of the town than the average critic, whose gaze is likely to be centred on one special locality.

Trout fishing season was ushered in by smiling sunshine and balmy zephyrs which gladdened the hearts and bronzed the skin of all true followers of Izaak Walton. Evidently the weather god considered a change necessary, and week-enders got their skins cooled by the copious downpour on Sunday. Everything was damped but their ardour which nothing could quench this side of Jordan. Even the crossing of the historic stream may not have quch a drastic effect as some people imagine. The usual number of fish stories is noticeably absent from the circle of conversation this season but an improvement is anticipated. The ties of business have prevented some of the most ardent enthusiasts from thrashing a stream as yet, and in the parties planned hitherto the commissariat arrangements have not given entire satisfaction. In order to do proper justice to a fish yarn the mind of the narrator must be at peace with all men.

To blend the liquor question with angling may not be an easy matter, but after the debate on the subject last week something must be said. It is, of course, commonly known that anglers usually carry with them a supply of whisky to pour into their waders in case their feet get wet. Not being an angler, I cannot explan the manner in which the operation is accomplished, and am compelled to allow the imagination of the reader to supply details. An opinion offered witnuut prejudice is to the effect that all the liquor does not reach the waders. It would be interesting to know what happens if the fisherman's feet keep perfectly dry. He probably pours the whisky into the stream and rinses out the flask.

The liquor question was ably handled by the debaters representing Te Kuiti and Taumarunui last week. Both teams were somewhat handicapped owing to the shortness of time in which to prepare, bjt when the last speaker had concluded there was little left to say on the subject. The members of the Te Kuiti team were not accustomed to the time limit, and appeared to be bothered by the bell. One of our ex-Prime Ministers had merely made his preliminary canter, and was preparing to settle the whole question according to facts, figures and fancy when the curfew tolled. It sounded like the knell of doom, and the reproach with which the speaker eyed the judges caused momentary uneasiness, and nearly stopped the clock. The award of the judges, it is comforting to note, had nothing to do with the merits of the question debated. The victory went to eloquence and general debating ability. Alas! how frequently does merely meretricious glitter enthrall the senses, and serve to obscure great issues.

But I had almost omitted mention of the supper. Last, but not least, can be truly applied in respect to the social entertainment generously provided by the president of the Te Kuiti Society. "Painting the lily or gilding refined gold" are tasks to which few have the temerity to apply themselves, and I have no desire to achieve fame in such ah atempt. Suffice it to say that the convivial gathering did much to strengthen the bonds of friendship which should exist between the sister towns of the King Country.