RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 638, 28 January 1914, Page 3

RANDOM REMARKS.

By Onlooker.

The bowling microbe which has attacked Te Kuiti so severely haß not yet developed in such virulent form in other parts of the King Country. However, Taumarunui promises to come under the spell, and probably rext season will witness contests between the rival centres which will serve to further strengthen the bonds of brotherhood which at present exist. The cricket contests between Taumarunui and Te Kuiti are historical, while the debating competitions will long be remembered for their many pleasant associations. In like manner the bowling contests of the future will be looKed forward to by residents of both towns with that degree of interest which only a bowling contest can create. It haß been pointed ojt that buwls is the only game in the calendar uf games which does not require an umpire. J hiß fact maybe significant of many things of which space will not permit me to treat. However, judging by the measuring perormance of a Te Kuiti pairs played at Auckland it ia questionable if an umpire ij not required at timeß.

The deviation of the river at Te Kuiti having been found necessary in order to prevent the to«n being carried down stream, and possibly overwhelming the septic tank and the bowling green, the work is to be put in hand as Boon as possible. The authorities are silent concerning the exact form in which the alteration ia to be effected, but something ornate and elaborate is said to be in view. A disturbing feature ot the business is that the scheme will probably embrace the erection of a bridge ov°r th 9 stream at the deviation. Presumably this will cutout the Sheri dan street bfidge for a time, and the Bdvocateß of this important public work vi 11 no doabt find vent for their feelings by joining the Ratepayers' Association.

Evidently the Borough Council is composed of men of granite deter min&tion and inflexible courage who re nain undaunted in the face of manifold difficulties and vexations. Om would have thought that after the experience with the electric light poles, which went holiday making on their own account, the Council would have adopted thn underground Byatem of laying th 9 wires. Undeterred by that extraordinary happening, however, the Council has ordered a f jrther Bupply of poles, and the members appear to be satisfied that the shipment will arrive according to contract. Nothing is impossible, and the new order of poles may have sufficient sense of dignity and responsibility to prevent any departure from the orthodox. At the same time the risk is sufficient to make the average man shiver.

Te Kuiti will shortly be known sb, the town of motor cars, judging from the rapidity with which the vehicles of cushions, and tyres, and mystery are multiplying in the town. At the present time the desire to poßseas a car is only les i vehement than the ambition to become a bowler, and to confess a distaste for either the car or the game is to count oneself be yond !the pale of civilised society. Most things, save work, are habits, and only the stress of dire circumstance drives a man to work. This statement is open to argument, I know, but year; uf observation, and the pessimistic influence of bachelnrdom are responsible for many vagaries of imagination. An ingenious friend of mine holds firmly to the opinion that only for the feminine influence man couldn't be induced to work at any cost. His pet was to imagine a party of men marooned on an inaccessible island without the possibility of rescue. He would draw a picture of the men leading the simple life, careless of appearances, and of everything else as long as they could get sufficient to eat. Strife would be non-existent, as there would be no inducement to wrangle, and thus the years would drone away. $,

To complete the illustration and drive home his argument with dramatic force my friend would draw a picture showing a party of women introduced into the Eveless garden of Eden. Men who were previously slothful and careless would be found trimming their ill-kempt beards, and searching furtively for the latest thing in fig leaves in oder to make themselves presentable. Thf ir places of abode would become obnoxious to them, and the best that nature could provide would be sought for in order to make the dwellings attractive to feminine eves. Ambition would be stirred in the male population to the highest degree, and effort which had hitherto appeared so useless and superfluous would be undertaken cheerfully. The strongest and n'ost ambitious men would strive for the favour of the moßt beautiful women, and tragedy would become possible in a breath. Such illustrations dramatically pre sented are bound to have an effect on a pessimistic nature, whether a complete case has been made out. or whether there may exist qualifying influences. If woman is the influence which has induced man to work she has accomplished a great thing in the world. Even yet there are some of my friends that a woman and six policemen could not inspire to any effort worth speaking about.