RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 520, 23 November 1912, Page 6

RANDOM REMARKS.

By Onlooker.

Certain indications lead to the conclusion that summer ia fast approaching. Chief among the events which point to the welcome fact ia the activity of certain municipalities in framing by-laws to cope with the questionable practice of mixed bathing. As is fitting and proper the Wellington city fathers have passed regulations calculated to meet the wishes of all parties, and bring peacs on a vexed and riven planet. Areas are set apart on the popular bathing beaches, and within the prescribed limits man may take his pleasure sadly and alone. Woe betide the brazen member of the opposite sex who encroaches upon the sanctuary dedicated to the male. Similar pains and penalties are prepared for the man who invades the beach of the woman except in eases where life is endangered. It will be interesting to learn how many rescues from drowning occur during the season. There is a big field for all sorts of possibilities. Whether or not all the rescues will be unadulterated heroism need not concern the authorities.

As a patriotic citizen one would like to see the Te Kuiti City Fathers emulating the action of the Wellington councillors. We have a city in the making, and the planting of fundamental principles of correct conduct, even in the matter of bathing, is essential to future generations. The inference in the foregoing sentence is, plainly, that the present generation i'b beyond reproach—or beyond redemption. However, fixed principles of any sort are useful to a community. They form, a basis for many things, and provide imaginative people with a splendid field for argument. Mixed bathing may appeal to some people, and anything which conduces to the virtue which is Becond only to godliness, is surely to be commended. This is a purely abstract opinion. I have never indulged in the delights of bathing in company, finding it sufficiently difficult to keep afloat with every faculty concentrated on the effort. Still the duties of a municipality are manifold, and our councillors should not shirk the bathing question, which affords such a fine opportunity for their beat and most worthy efforts.

The primitive dies hard in mankind and the necessity for warfare, now that opportunity is limited finds vent in many channels.* Modern man is just as keen as were his forebears to engage in battle on the smallest provocation, but civilisation through the ages has built up innumerable customs, in addition to that unwritten convention before which we all bend the head and bow the knee. Human life and property are rigidly protected by law, and in place of riding forth with sword and spear to win renown in bold adventure, as did our ancestors, we give vent to the primitive instinct in a bloodless crusade of one sort or another. The change is remarkable, but it is doubtful if the ancients would regard with kindly eye the alterations which have occurred. A short time ago Te Kuiti was invaded by a small but vigorous band from Taumarunui intent upon inflicting their Spartan views and customs in respect to liquor upon the local residents. They were valiantly met by the chosen of Te Kuiti and after a memorable contest in which much English was slain they were compelled to retreat to their own stronghold.

An armistice was arranged to allow the invaders to bury the dead and reorganise their shattered forces. The Te Kuitians after successfully applying for a change of venue became theinvaders and marched upon the enemy. But the battle is not always to the swift nor the race to the strong. The commissariat department plays the most important part in modern warfare, and despite the supreme organisation of the local forces, it is questionable if fitting preparation was made,or if a proper balance was maintained between the material and the spiritual. The rout of the hungerstricken Turks was not more complete than the downfall of the local champions. The scene of slaughter was harrowing, and as the sun slowly rose o'er the . But it does not do to enter into gruesome details on all occasions.