RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 643, 14 February 1914, Page 6

RANDOM REMARKS.

By Onlooker.

Te Kuitians are apparently losing Bome of that dash for which they have bo long been famed. The Minister of Public Works was allowed to visit the town last week, and depart after partaking of afternoon tea. No blare of trumpets or clashing of cymbals heralded his approach and he seemed rather glad of the fact However, it is a recognised fact that personages have to be Btage-managed, and unlesß the member for the district can furnish a satisfactory explanation for apch a neglect of opportunity his reputation will be endangered Compensation may be found in the fact that the Minister was induced to inspect a few miles of the main road prior to partaking of afternoon tea. Apparently the idea was that the jaunt over that j particular road was the best sort of appetiser obtainable in a dry district. Experience and appetite proffered in one prodigal gift is something to live for, and the Minister's gratitude should be manifested unsparingly when the County Council's application for assistance to metal the road comes before him. The cult of athletics among the ladies is becoming more pronounced each year, and this branch of women's rights is not likely to meet with great opposition from the mere male. The information that an English ladies' hockey team is leaving for a tour of Australia and New Zealand is a circumstance which will tend to further popularise the strenuous life among the sex The personnel of the touring team is not supplied, and we are left in ignorance as to whether Mrs Pankhurst and her satellites are included, either as playing members or chaperons. It is quite ongthe cards that a popular game may be used to thinly veil the real obje:t of the tour, and that a suffragette crusade of the Empire is intended. Still, it is difficult to conceive what benefit can accrue to the Cause by coming to New Zealand. In God's Own Country the ladies do not require to battle for privileges; they simply take what they fancy and demand an apology for having had to exert themselves. There are many lessons to be learned from the projected tour of the hockey players,and silken bonds are best spun on the distaff.

Psychological study commonly leads to philosophical reflection, which is possibly the only excuse for either. Moreover, philosophical reflection leads one to the inevitable conclusion that egotism alone keeps a certain class of mankind from suiciding in a body, and is thus responsible for keeping that class alive. Occasionally, of course, one of the class dies accidentally, and the gods smile in grim satisfaction. More frequently, however, the self sufficient one is responsible for the accident and premature demise of others. It is not often that retribution runs hand in hand with the catastrophe, and involves the egotistical cause of the fatality in the same cataclysm as that which overwhelms the victim. Occurrences of that nature do happen, however, for the resources of the true egotist are of a wild and weird variety unknown to ordinary, average mankind. There is no method yet discovered of curbing the activities of the class referred to, and the undistinguished masses can only pray that the march of science will disclose a way by which the egotist will accomplish his own undoing—collectively for preference.

The foregoing reflections have been induced by an occurrence which transpired locally during the week, and constitute a further grievance against the egotist. One does not willingly undertake philosophical reflection, nor does the public hail it with joy. The happening alluded to concerns a motor car, an amateur chaffeur, and a prominent citizen. The accident, for, of course, there was an accident, was not attended with serious consequences, but that happy result was no fault of the driver's. It is a striking characteristic in some natures that defeat can never be admitted. Waterloo is said to have been won because of this trait in the British national character, but, however, excusable the exercise of this obstinacy may be in national crises, it is apt to lead to unnecessary suffering when applied to everyday events. When a person who has been defeated in innumerable horse driving competitions aspirea to pilot a motor car through the traffic of a busy street he should be prevented from carrying passengers. Imagine the result if the passenger on Monday evening had been prevented from attending the Borough Council meeting.

The typical bowler haß always been regarded by men aB a person possessing a temper of such infinite sweetness and amiability that nothing could upBet it save "blocking the draw," or being unable to get access to the pavilion when tea head had been decided. It has been left for an old and highly respected devotee to the game to rudely shatter another illusion, tu draw the veil and disclose the feet of clay which supported a cherished ideal. That the occasion was important is hardly a sufficient excuse. Such occasions are continually arising in connection with a game so enriched and hallowed by national tradition. One does not wish to be unduly Bevere; to reopen wounds which are doubtless but the unique character of the incident merits at least passing mention. No less a personage than the United States' president advocates publicity aB the septic agent to apply to all public sores, and thß incident referred to haß at least a semi-public bearing. The fact that an old player was getting outgeneralled and outplayed by a colt naturally caused gratification to the spectators, and that the veteran should ueek to discredit his opponent's performance by quarrelling with applauding lookers-on is to be deplored. The dignity and self-restraint of the colt were entirely in keeping with the traditions of the game, from which the "win, tie, or wrangle" spirit should be eradicated.