RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 625, 6 December 1913, Page 7

RANDOM REMARKS.

By Or looker.

The weather, like the butter market, has an interesting and startling habit of performing the unexpected. There are times, of course, when unfortunate mortals consider both weather and market rnarvela of consistency, but these are the occasions *shen rain is prevalent, or butter is on the slump. A rainy week appears to be a month in duration, while a week or two of low butter prices is a time of grinding anxiety which may add years t) a person's age. The versatiliy of weather and market is manifested chiefly by the manner in which they confound tbe wiseacres. A hot, d*y period was predicted for the present spring by several friends of the writer, and we have just experiened the wettest Novemher on reord. Similarly last butter Beaßon was hailed beforehand as likely to be the giddy limit in prices, and the market appeared to take a weird and perverse delight in remaining at zero. This season the predictions of the pessimist were readily listened to and the "cow cockie" was prepared for the worst, while hitherto results have been altogether gratifying. If the weather would only live up to its reputation for versatility for the rest of the season the farmers cup of joy would be filled. It is suggested that the return of the Bpeeiah is, in some abstruse manner, connected with the prevailing wetness, but I am rot sufficiently familiar with the psychological phenomena to offer an opnion on the subject. In any case a reco/d wet month is predicted for December, so people would be well advised to attend to their water supply and prepare for a drought. Nothing worse than a water famine can well be imagined. Presumably a supply for household purposes will be allowed, but tbe strictest economy should be rigidly enforced, and the Pelton wheel Bhould be cut off immediately. These * steps may not appear to b° absolutely necesßary at present, but one of the essentials attached to local bodies is the habit of seizing the psychological opportunity and establishing the public confidence. A host of adages can be use to demonstrate the advisability of these suggestions such as "taking time by the forelock,"a stitch in time," "forewarned is forearmed" to say nothing of the early bird and the worm, and the story of the wise virgins.lt is.nerhape.too much to hopethat the old councillors who have become hardened in their iniquities will interpret the writing on the wall, but a gleam of hope is shed upon the situation from tbe fact that the council is mw leavened by the influx of a younger and possibly a more spiritual element. One cf the members prevoiusly noted for his uplifting efforts has apparently become dishearteneed through his inability to handle "psychological" to his own satisfaction, but he will still be abla to applaud the effort of others. Psychology is a study of absorbing interest, and the profound depths to which it can be pursued renders it an irresistible attraction to certain people. A psychologist is supposed to be able to interpret the mind and analyse its varying states. There may be good workmen in the line, and the educational facilities afforded for a complete study of the subject are infinite. The married man becomes an expert at interpreting the signals which precede the necessity for a new hat, or a trip to th 3 Exhibition on the part of his better half. To the astute and considerate hushand spoken words are not necessary, but it is questionable if he strews flowers on his own altar and prunes himself over his progress in the business of psychology in consequence. If he be wise and Isind he discovers an interest; in millinery, or manifests a solicitude for his wife's health which only a cnarjge of air will benefit. If he be wise and unkind he adopts the Machiavellian method of taking his partner into his confidence concerning certain business matters which have turned out badly, necessitating a period of household economy. But it doesn't do to understudy Machiaveili too faithfully. This is about as far on the psychological path as the average person gets. Seeing that further steps in the line are opposed to law and order, the Federation of Labour, and the fundamental principes of life generally the councillor who has foresworn "psychological" is wise in bis day and generation.

The approach of the holiday season is heralded by signs and portents not easily mistaken, and if the weather began to behave rationally the said signs would become visible to the ordinary unpsyc'nological naked eyp An air of bustle and suppressed excitement pervades the business places, while even enthusiastic gardeners are neglecting opportunities of discusing their favourite brand or topic. A look of glad expectancy is dawning in the eye of the school children, and harassed journalists are digging up old Christmas stories, and endeavouring to remember if they have become sufficiently venerable since last appearance to warrant republication. But there are other indications which typify the race and dignify the occasion. Christmas is the children's season and provision is being made on all hands to celebrate the fact. The children make no secret of thei:: preferences while the parents have to pretend a dfficulty of hearing in order to maintain a | semblance of the Christmas illusion. ! After all,the grown ups are only children, and the best sort of grown up is the one who has maintained a lively recollection of the hopes and illusions of childhood together with a ready sympathy at the right and proper time.