RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IX, Issue 741, 30 January 1915, Page 6

RANDOM REMARKS.

By Onlooker,

The forthcoming opening of the Kawa bridge recalls something of the happenings in connection with getting the necessary funds to carry out the much needed work. The public exchequer is not always in a fit condition to stand the various aßsaultß made upon it, and when the bridge wbb being promoted the local body made an application which meant, in effect, a pound for pound subsidy. On this basis the arrangements were promoted, but in the specifications produced by the Department the original arrangement was overlooked and delay in starting the work ensued. Before further action could be taken a change of Government had taken place and the new Public Workß Minister provided the whole of the funds necessary for the erection of the bridge. Needless to remark the money was accepted without protest, and the work has been carried out in a Very satisfactory manner. Whether the Minister did the good deed consciously or unconsciously has not been enquired into too deeply, but the bridge is built.

The feat of getting together a bowling team to compete in a tournament is an achievement of which one mav Well be proud. Moreover the intrepid individual who succeeds has little time to feel inflated over his performance as he is never sure of bis team till it is en route for the place at which the tournament is to be held. Negotiations have to be opened tactfully, and as much diplomacy is exercise as would suffice to clinch an international treaty between the great Powers. Each player's place in the team has to be chosen carefully, and the varioUß units have to be placed bo that no jarring note shall be heard. This procedure ia not peculiar to the local club, which is fortunately blessed with a president who has the knack of knowing what he wants and how to get it. If all skips were as sporting in their ideas there would be little trouble about picking the teams.

Apparently the adoption of the revised borough by-laws by the Council is to be as long a process as the work of revision by the committee haa been. The first instalment was duly adopted at the first meeting held for the purpose of dealing with the by-laws, and it depends upon the character of future instalments aa to what length of time is required to get through the remainder. Homeopathic doses of by-law may be most suitable to the complaint from which the s Council may be suffering, but one always has doubts. Again there ia a dreadful rumour to the effect that the revision is not complete and tne staff is being produced on the instalment plan in consequence. A more likely suggestion has been advanced by a future aspirant for municipal honours to the effect that the committee had developed into a mutual admiration society, and the consequent ecstatic exaltation produced temporary atrophy. Some people cannot help being harßb in their judgment

The dairy farmer iB having a moßt enjoable time at present despite the war and general uncertainty surrounding great national questions. Priceß for dairy produce have been booming all the season, and every naval victory Beemß to give a fresh impetus to the market. It ia to he devoutly hoped from the dairyman's point of view that people will get so accustomed to paying present prices that they will keep on doing it after the war. It has been demonstrated in every British newspaper that the arms of the Allies must prevail, and it only requires the field operations to be cabled out in a similar satisfactory manner to convince even a German sceptic on the point. In recognition of services rendered loyally to the Empire, why not demand a living wage, a standard price, or assured finance, or something equally important and indefinable as well as reduction in the cost of Zealand would never look back, Just as some people are born greatness, others are bom to sorr* and travail and are doomed to inclH sion in the ranks of the misundejp stood. One of the worst indications in an individual of this class is when he takes to the bush and refuees his natural nourishment. There are moreover certain institutions to which nn individual of this description should not belong. If he is an angler he is sure to be had for poaching, while to co out shooting with him is to court danger sufficient to appeal to the bravest. Even in a bowling club there is no refuge for him. No matter how accomplished a trundler he may be he is bound to keep on doing the wrong thing. In fairness, however, Do .boold not be made .be victim of a conspiracy. He is suffipipntlv the victim of his own misfortune to warrant him being left alone. On second thoughts, he iB almoßt justified in taking to the bUBb. A bowler who can display an array of trophies of which many would be proud has surely earned the right to better treatment.