RANDOM REMARKS.
By Onlooker. © Th.e political arena is cleared, and notwithstanding that Parliament ia forced to continue sitting for some time yet, members in- various localities are making their triennial appeal to the public. The candidates for Taumarunui electorate may be readily excused for starting early, otherwise the electors would hardly be able to obtain a frying glimpse of the men who are wooing their suffrages. The lending of a sympathetic ear to road grievances would be impossible, while such interesting pastimes as kisßing the babies or receiving bouquets from ardent supporers would have to be reluctantly .relinquished. These interesting side issues may not appear to have much bearing on the political questions of the day, but they have a tremendous influence cn votes at times, and may turn the scale . at an election. A bashful man who admires babies, but; is out of kissing practice may be labouring at a disadvantage at election time. The political campaign opened locally with startling suddenness, and if the pace set by one of the Opposition candidate's supporters had been maintained he would have canvassed the electorate in record time. The individual in question is an authority on horses, and always goes well mounted. On the occasion of his start, for the backblocks last Week hs must hkve had even a better mount than usual. Possiby the horse caught some of the excitement with which its rider must have been imbued for it tjok charge of matters in a style rarely seen. Dick. Turpin's ride has come to us down the arch of time as the geatest of all performances but the horseman in this case was riding for his life. In the case referred to reliable witnesses assert the horseman wss hanging on for his life. The hor3e must be of the right colour, for he took the proper road, though he missed .a voter or two in the early part of. the journey. It is ndot often a judgment summons case at the Magistrate's Court ia brightened by unrestraisied laughter from Bench, bar and public. A Maori was being examined on Tuesday last; as to his abilitv to pay a certain debt,* and was asked how many children he had to keep. In a casual, airy manner the reply came "three* or four." Pressed as to the definite number, the debtor said with obvious signs of .irritation, "Well then, 'bout one and ahaf." Interest in tha case was maintained till the finish. When ari order was made with ten days' imprisonment as the alternative, the harried debtor remarked, "Kapai te ten day, I think." The air 'of calm contentment worn by certain members of the community despite the war. -th« drought, hard times generally, is said to be attributable to the advent of the bowling season. This is the opinion of an enthusiastic votary of the ancient game, and the reason for such effect to the man in question, is that bowls, appeals to. the highest attributes of mankind. Nothing small, petty, or insignificant can live in the bowling atmosphere, and the man who exhibited spleen on the green would probably die of shame nest day. The true bowler never diss; at least, I never heard of one, and, there may be something in the enthusiast's contention. A really respected, pacifying influence is an asset to any town. Moreover, now that the general election is approaching, it may be urgently needed. A furthar recommendation ia that if the green failß as a pacifying ground it can be utilised as a convincing ground. There are wild rumours in circulation to the effect that certain prominent bowlers intend devoting their efforts this'summer to other forms of recreation. The world, the flesh, and the dnvil have alway3 proved irresistible to frail characters, and deserters are more to be pitied than condemned. Man is continually striving to escape from himself; to conquer his natural tendencies towards cherished weaknesses, and this apparent desertion Is perhans merely an attempt on the part of struggling mortals to tread the higher paths and discipline their spirits accordingly. Still, to give up bowls is surely a more drastic step than even the most exacting conscience could demand. Moreover, a man never achieves any good in the world until he has had a battle royal with consience, and has come to a thorough understanding with it. There comes a time in every bowler's life when he is called upon to be firm. The great occasion appears to have arrived With the persons in question.
Even if the rumoured desertionß do take place the club won't be disbanded. Some mem&erg might suggest the club would welcome their absence, but that would be mere ill feature, and I've never heard a bowier exceed the limits of courtesy in his language. The best course to adopt in* the event of the rumour proving correct will Bimply be to maintain an air of courteous dignity and treat ,the dtsorters, not as criminals, but as still loved, though erring brothers. Some day they will Bee the folly of their action, and return to the fold; to the harbour of peace and amity which sheds grace around it, and spreads £that look of almost holy serenity on the faces of the true bowlers. In the event of the rumour not proving correct, of course, no notice need be taken of the situation, and these remarks need not have been penned.
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King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 713, 17 October 1914, Page 6
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903RANDOM REMARKS. King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 713, 17 October 1914, Page 6
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