RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 722, 18 November 1914, Page 6

RANDOM REMARKS.

O By Onlooker,

§} In view of the approach of the Genn eral Election politics undoubtedly should be given pride of place in public estimation, despite war, or pestilence, or famine. It should evetake precedence over buwla for the time in the thoughts of earnest people, and as is well recognised, your true bowler is the most earnest person in the community. We have now hfid all the candidates for thu electorate at Te Kuiti, and excellent addresses have been delivered. After listening to Mr Wilson's Bpeech I determined to support the Government with vote and influence. Then Mr Jennings came along, and I began to entertain a dreadful suspicion that everything had not been told concerning the Govenment, and I wavered. Finally, Mr Shortland, with his free and independent platform; the fierce, stiriving spirit of liberty £hat will not be sha.kled by party tiee, made an irresistible appeal, • and all timorous doubts and waverings were at an end. Now, above all others, is the time the flag of liberty should be flaunted and cheered by every free spirit. Of course, it ifl .only one vote.

The season (f flowers is alwayß a joyous time, when all that is bright and beautiful in Nature seems to make an irresietble appeal. Not enough is made of the opportunities afforded by our floral growths to celebrate the prodigal gifts of Nature to mankind, and the suggestion of a Floral Fete at Te KuiH in aid of the Belgian Fund is one which should be widely welcomed. Try as we may, we cannot ■do enough to l'ghten the burden of those who are suffering so acutely in the cause of freedom. A Floral Fete will afford the opportunity to all to contribute to the cause of the Empire and of humanity, and no more fitting use cuulJ be made of Nature's beautiful gifts than to re lieve the sufferings and privations of our fellow creatures. It is to be sincerely hoped the efforts of those promoting the Fete will bo heartily supported by one and all.

In a wild buret of enthusiasm wbb conceived the idea to promote a Queen of the Carnival competition in aid of King Country A. and P. Association, and the Association duly signified its appreciation of the promoters' worthy aims. The idea appeared to be commendable in every and a highly deserving public institution waa to be plficed in a position which would render it the envy of all Birnilar institutions in the Dominion. Unfortunately for the world, the number of ideas which are strangled in JJJthe birth throes is legion. It may be adopting a pessimistic attitude to conclude that the carnival idea has met an untimely end, but the vigour of its early infancy has evaporated and the A. and P. .Committee has already shed a joint and Beveral tear over its early demise.

Tire weather is always a subject of concern in a farming district, and the signs and portents of the past few weeks, according to the weather wise, indicate a drought. Fortunately, the weather wise are continually being confounded, and we can only hope results will again bring confusion to the prophets. The weather ia all right for tennis, bowls, and other pastimeß, but these are not the essentials of life. The crops must grow and the land produce bountifully before the recreationa can be thought of, and a wise Providence haa ordained that a reasonable mixture of weather is the most suitable for the needs of mankind in all respects. Nero fiddled while Rome burned, so we are told, and some people will doubtless bowl while the crops are being ruined. If one cannot have both, the average bowler I would sacrifice the crops every time.

° Fortunately, the local talent cannot be termed "the average bowler," but a local tournament is being promoted this month and much depends upon the weather. All that Providence is required to do on behalf of the bowlera is to send copious rains before the tournament, and withhold the dampening influence on the tournament dates. The average tournament is sufficiently depressing without adding the horrors of a flood to it, The town is already simmering with excitement over the approaching event, and the number of teams picked to represent the club is astounding. Rumour —lying jade—lias it that the old team of veterans is to be resurected, but one can hardly credit such a report. Strong efforts have been made to undermine the loyalty, of the Cambridge team, even the skip having bben approached to play elsewhere. Needless to remark, that ea^h

individual member of that brilliant combination would sooner stop away and prey for rain than be guilty of disloyalty to his fellows.