More or Less Topical.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 376, 21 August 1908, Page 2

More or Less Topical.

[By “ Hoho ” and Others.]

It is a jolly shame the Marokopa people haven’t a wharf and shed for the convenience of landing their goods in from tbe steamer. Why is it, I

vould like to know ? It is said the Marokopa River is the river between two counties and the side the should be on belongs to an inoperative county. But this ought not to off o it—of course not. At the same time why do the Marok -pa and Kiri tebere people not apply to be included in the Kawhia County for ex perimcntal purposes? The Harbour Board would possibly erect a wharf at Marokopa. Who knows.

Those who returned convalescent after an accute. attack of “ Fleetitis ” were very much struck with the manner in which the Yankee patrols arrested any of their crew who got too important in Queen street. It appears the usual antidote was an anterihetic about ten inches long, which was very effective when it ciuae in eon'aot with the cranium of the patient under treatment Needless to say none of the Kawhia invalids had any ambition to try it.

I saw a sprightly young lady strolling along Jervois Street the other day carrying a tennis racquet. On enquiry I found tbe season had not yet opened, bat at tbe same time tbe courts were occupied—by cows. Tbe yjung lady, it appears, bad been chasicg blue bottles for exercLe. Talking about tennis reminds me that I hoard the forthcoming season is expected to be very successful. Several new comers, I bear, intend joining tbe dab, and I understand at. least one is a regular “ snorter.” You must excuse this word snorter if it sounds slangey, but it is not slang —it is found in the orthodox tennis vocabulary.

On tbe return of the fleeters it was expected there would be a little gardening done, but I have not beard of any plants being sprung. Kawhia is very dry j ist now. as everybody can say who has been on the tank. Marvellous for tbe time of the year. If there is one thing more than another people liks to see it is good mannered and polite children. In Kawhia, £ ara loth to say, we cannot always find those qualities. As a typical instance I noticed tbe other day a lady approaching a large boy. The lady graciously bowed but, alas, the buy in stead of politely raising bis cap looked .in dismay, evidently wondering what point tbe lady was trying to get on to him. ’Tia sad, ba: true. Now, what are tbe factors that are necessary in the proper tuition of children ? First the kindly care and attentive teaching and g >od example of the parents, and secondly, a judicious and careful school training. If we see the children in our midst growing up in a callous way we know that either one factor ot the other is at fault or—perhaps both of them.

Talking about children : Recently I asked a bright little boy if he did dumb bell and club exercises at school. His reply was to the effect that “ there are some at school but we d » not use them.” This seems a pity and a fault that should be remedied. Children in the larger centres are taught all these sort of healthy, muscle-raising, physique-developing exercises, and it would be interesting to know why children in back block places like Kawhia, should ba penalised in this way. In every sense of the word the children here should have the same training and encouragement as those do in our cities, or as near as possible. By showing our children we take an interest in them we develops their minds and body, and in such a way that we would benefit not only them but ourselves and cur nation.

The Kawhia Domain reads well, sounds well and everything but looks well. What tbe Government expect the local authorities to make out of it is a puzzle. This is too funny citegether, and unless the area described as a Domain is added on to I am afraid it would be quite useless.

At a certain house in Kawhia the other day there were seven eligible bachelors seated at lunch together and the fact being noted much “chaff” was indulged in. One suggested that a compact should be entered into tbaT tbe first one of those present to give up his liberty should receive a sail of clothes from tbe remaining six. The proposal was thrown out, the company recognising the fact that the person who bad spoken was very much “ matrimonially inclined.” Perhaps, though, be was contemplating following tbe lead of a young man in Hobart who (a Tasmanian paper says) “ has agreed to marry the girl who wins him in a lottery. He is described as ‘an txcellent waltzer,’ and tbe entrance fee is half-a-crown.” Good idea. (Lottery tickets can be obtained at tbe Set tder office.—Ed.]