Random Notes

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 21, 19 August 1893, Page 9

Random Notes

Hitherto I hare escaped the assaults o£ that dread of newspaper men—the bush poet. But at last, alas ! he has found me. From the upland wilds of this mountainous land come the sweet strains which for the delectation of my readers and the gratification of my horny-banded contributor. I here append. Like the editor, I must add the statement that the writer only is responsible for the sentiments expressed in the accompanying rhymes : EXCELSIOR UP TO HATE! [“ It is reported that Mr Macalister will be a candidate for Lake Wakatipu.” Daily papers.] The shades of night were falling fast As through Lake Waka’s Village passed A candidate bearing ’mid the ice A banner with the famed device — “ Macalister!” His face shone bright, his glittering eye Beneath bis horse-hair wig so spry Beamed learnedly as on he trod, ilis strong limbs bending ’neath the load—- “ Macalister!” “ t h, stay!” fair Invercargill cried, “ I long to be thy blushing bride ; Our courts can’t lose thy legal skill — Thy 1 points ’ and quillets please us still—- “ Macalister!” But list! the voice of Waka’s sons, Those bold, those hardy, sterling ones, Their shouts rc-echo mid the rocks, And strike our ears in thunder shocks — “ Macalister!” Who Wakatipu must represent In Wellington’s next Parliament? Electors with one voice reply—- “ The man whose color’s truest dye — “ Macalister!” Erom Wellington’s far distant seat Whose eloquence so full and sweet Resounds amid those ringing cheers ? ’Tis answered to my listening ears — “ MACALISTER !” The age at which a youth bids adieu to boyhood and merges into manhood has varied much in historical times, and still varies in different countries, Amongst the ancient Romans a young man under 30 years of age was held to be incapable of filling the more important civic olilces. In some parts of Ireland at the present day a masculine representative of the genus homo is regarded ns a “ boy ” until he is gray-headed, and even after that, provided he is a sportive personage or a fiery patriot. In the colonies, however, the reverse seems to be the case. Even before his schooldays are over, the Xew Zealand youth shuffles off the fetters of parental control and smokes, swears and drinks “ like a mao.” Ourlegislators and our legal tribunals, however, do not make ample provision for this early merging of boys into manhood. A boy was recently charged at the Police Court with drunkenness and disorderly behaviour, and fined. But, according to the newspaper report of the case, the culprit was scarcely tall enough to see over the dock without severe stretching of the neck. Without standing on tip-toe he would evidently be unable to see what was going on in court. This is unmistakeably another injustice to the rising generation, and I would suggest that steps be placed in the prisoner’s box to enable a defendant of low stature to view the proceedings in the case in which he is interested. The cost would not be much, and I see no reason why our Liberal Government could not be prevailed upon to give a proof of their liberality by placing on the Estimates a small sum sufficient to make the necessary accommodation in the dock for our juvenile delinquents. As election time is near at hand the question of providing accommodation in the direction indicated might, with propriety, be brought prominently before the various candidates, when, 1 have no doubt, the matter will receive their serious and favourable consideration. Our “ great Unpaid,” the Jay Pays, are famed throughout the known world for the fearful and wonderful manner in which they administer the law, and no exception to the general mode of procedure do we discover in our Invercargill Justices. Yet another batch of juvenile offenders do we find have this week- been dismissed with the usual severe reprimand. Much do these little scapegraces care for any quantity of sound advice or solemn warning, unless duly enforced in a plainly preceptible manner ! But perhaps the fact that “ only a Chinaman ” suffered from the misdeeds of the juvenile delinquents may account in some measure for the lenity, in the present case. Quite long enough now, in cases of stone-throwing and kindred juvenile offences, has mercy seasoned justice, and, by way of variety, our sapient administrators of the law might now, for a brief spell, let justice season mercy. Such a course, 1 am inclined to believe, would materially reduce the number of juvenile offences brought into court, much to the satisfaction and gratification of those interested in the real welfare of the young. ►Some weeks ago I made a suggestion as to one method by which our city fathers might possibly add to their civic funds, and from recent observation I opine that these funds are at a low ebb indeed. Until lately, during the moonless evenings, pedestrians were privileged to see the twinkling gas jets of the street lamps at the rare intervals of the crossings only. On dark nights, with quantum suf. (and to spare) of mud under foot, distance does not lend enchantment to

the view of the glimmering lights. Was impecuniosity or parsimony the sufficient cause of this absence of light ? Can his Worship enlighten us? The present week, however, has even surpassed these amenities of the early winter. ' As I write (Wednesday) the moon is decidedly new ; too new indeed to shed its kindly rays upon the earth, by piercing the dense clouds that envelope it. Has it been too wet for the lamp-lighter to discharge his civic functions, or does the calendar inform him tha’t it is now moonlight ? It is almost at the risk of life or limb that one attempts to traverse the thoroughfares in the Cimmerian darkness, which can almost be felt. Surely it is one of the functions of the Fathers of the city, our councillors, to take due care for the safety of the ratepayers, add I trust, therefore, that at next council meeting they’ll “ tak a thoucht an’ men’,” leaving the exchange of compliments to another occasion, and unite in calling lux e tenebris. Vox.