RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 546, 1 March 1913, Page 5

RANDOM REMARKS.

By Onlooker. A breath from a cherished past agitated the atmosphere of the Magistrate's Court on Tuesday evening, when witness after witness in a liauor case testified to the King Country custom in respect to whisky. Whether or not his Worship had any preconceived ideas on the subject he wag obviously satisfied on many points by the time all the evidence had been recorded. It may be taken for granted, however, that he has not yet bottomed the King Country appetite, and again that theK ing Country "nip," though famous throughout the land, resembles the British constitution in that it has no definite shaDe or size. Three wit nesses in succession fixed the standard nip at four, six.and eight to the bottle respectively. One modest expert, who evidently wished to establish a reputation, blandly suggested that twentyone to twenty-three nips lurked in the recesses of the ordinary bottle. His Worship smiled.

It takes a series of liquor cases to enable t're ordinary magistrate to plumb the depths, and soar to the heights necessary to properly guage the bona fides of every accused person who is outraged at being called upon to testify, to the satisfaction of the bench, as to his consuming powers in the liquor line. However, Mr Rawson has evidently mingled with the hall-marked among the wine bibbers. He took the court into his confidence the other evening, and informed it he had known men who couldn't sleep unless they finished their bottle before breakfast. Somehow the remark doesn't read correctly, and i*f this catches the eye of his Worship he may complain of being misreported. However, the distinct intention of the bench was to cast the chill of disdain upon the puerile performances recorded of King Country inhabitants. He had evidently expected to hear of something that would break all previous records. In course of time he probably will.

The mention of court naturally leads one to refer to the impending change among the ranks of the police at Te Kuiti. 'Constable Mathew, whose association with Te Kuiti has continued for thirteen years, has received his stripes, and is booked for a transfer to Auckland. Appointed to the district when the real sly grog trade was rampant, Constable Mathew had a rather difficult part to play, and in the execution of his duty incurred the dip pleasure of many. It can be truly said of Sergeant Mathew, however, that he never swerved from his duty. He treated all alike, and thereby earned the respect which is extended to every officer by those whose respect is usually worth having. We all have our weaknesses, and Sergeant Mathew's weakness may be that he is not concerned with what people think of him as long as he fulfilled what he considers to be his duty. The perfect policeman might have a more perfect conception of duty. But again; which of us is perfect? Sergeant Mathew will be missed by many.

There is nothing like a training in local politics to fit a man to withstand the slings and arrows which come his way in daily life. It also teaches him in some cases to dodge the missies with an adroitness which would make a professional juggler turn green with envy. However, there are certain delicate souled people who maintain their native sensitiveness through the vicissitudes of even local politics. Such cases are refreshing, and tend to preserve our faith in human nature, and in the fundamental principles. At a recent meeting of a local body famed for its wisdom and general efficiency, as all local bodies should be, the chairman in referring to certain reflections which had been cast upon him by an impetuous and youthful colleague trusted the press would not publish anything in connection with the matter. Naturally, the press didn't. This remark is merely published to convey to the public an idea of how thoroughly trustworthy the press can be when it likes. Incidentally an idea may be conveyed as to the trustfulness of even a local politician.

If le Kuiti is not too blase to feel honoured over anything it should certainly increase an inch or two in atat ure in consequence of having been selected as the most suitable centre for the delegates from the various Acclimatisation Societies of the province to meet. Ever since the fateful news was announced I have been wondering how the selection came to be made. This may appear to be a weakness in a loyal Te Kuitian, and an indication of a deplorable lack of dignity. Comfort is always to be obtained, however, from the reflection that none are perfect. To return to the subject, it may be said there are innumerable reasons why Te Kuiti should be selected, and the officials of the local society may be relied upon to advance every possible and impossible reason in a mariner calculated to carry conviction even to a hardened angler, to say nothing of the credulous and trusting dog and gun man. One thing is always certain, Te Kuiti, or any other King Country town, will certainly do its best. If the visitors return without having received a decoration of knighthuod somebody may be justly charged with a dereliction of duty.