RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 646, 25 February 1914, Page 2

RANDOM REMARKS.

By Onlooker,

The privilege is not extended to everyone to attend a bowling club meeting. Only the duly qualified member, or the privileged pressman, can gain admittance to such an important function, and the solemnity with which the proceedings are conducted is altogether in keeping with the dignity and importance of the occasion. At such gatherings the true inwardness of the bowler's soul is e tpoaed to brother bowler. Heart appeals to heart, and the depth of the enthusiasm which is felt is only in part revealed by the emotion manifested. At least this is what I had been led to expect concerning the councils of those engaged in the great game. Posßibly tbey do things differently in the K?ng Country; perhaps there is a lack of dignity in the atmosphere surrounding all our cherished institutions in this new district, wbere men and methuds together are in the melting pot and will emerge transformed.

It is the treasured privilege of every pressman to attend to the public interests as far as letting the people know the manner in which their cherished institutions are being managed. Conscientious chroniclers, taking the bruad outlook, and giving credit to the man with a mission, usually perform their duties with judgment and discretion. Occasionally, however, a zealot enters the ranks, and abides for a brief space. His term is usually very brief, it is highly interesting to himselt and others. In drawing the veil which has hitherto clothed the bowlers from the public gaze I am runiiing dire risks, chief of which will be expulsion from all future meetings Ah, well, the reformer's fate is common history, and if one succeeds in leaving even a bowling club a little better than he found it one has accomplished something which is almost impossible of achievement. Finally, I wish to makj it clear that if anybody's feelings are wounded he is at perfect liberty to apply for relief to the club's honorary surgeon.

The last general meeting of the Bowling Club was no doubt typical of the others. The president and the majority of the skips were present, but there was a conspicuous lack of number two players, while the owner of the square bowls was also absent. The man with the grievance is usually a feature of these gatherings, and little time was lost in disclosing his identity. On this occasion there appeared to be more than one of him. In fact the only person without a grievance, or a mission, seemed to be the chairman, whose stricken look betokened emphatically the fact that even the bowler's crown has thorns. It says much for the con fidence of bowlers in'each other that as each critic in turn paraded his grievance his fellows forbore to smile, and treated the matter with the gravity which is peculiar to all true bowlers. Fortunately there was no bloodshed, and there is every prospect of a carnival being held to celebrate the event. Imagine a bowlers' carnival !

There are many gratifying aßsocia tions in connection with the recent Show, and many will be looking forward to the next Show with more than ordinary interest. Social bonds are woven and interests cemented at public gatherings such as A. and P. Shows which are not readily forgotten. These things may not be laid bare to the public gaze, but an active executive armed with a motor car and other accessories to social life may go far to popularise any function in which visitors play an important part. Thus again We have the apparent side issues exerting an influence on the main objective which is out of all proportion. In addition the smoke concert, without which any Show would he flat and incomplete has an extremely important bearing on the success of a Show. Everyone is afforded an opportunity to talk, and it always giveß pleasure to a man to be turned loose on his own particular hobby. In connection with the recent Show it is said one of the most pleasing features was the presentation of trinkets to distinguishd visitors at the conclusion 01 the smoker.