Random Notes

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 29, 21 October 1893, Page 9

Random Notes

I see with satisfaction that the Teacher’s Institute lately passed a resolution condemning the practice of some teachers in using their Saturday railway tickets for purposes other than those for which they were issued. The Railway Department, I understand, issues Saturday return tickets to country teachers to enable them to attend the collegiate classes in Invercargill, and thus prosecute the studies necessary to secure advancement in their profession. These tickets are issued for the session over which the classes extend, and are obtainable at a nominal figure. It appears, however, that a few pedagogues abuse the privilege and utilise their passes when on “ pleasure bent.” A few swallows, however, do not make a summer, and it is pleasing to see that the Teachers’ Union have no sympathy with those who not only jeopardise the concession granted by the railway authorities, but also bring discredit on the whole teaching profession. Election time is drawing nigh, and the sweet-smiling, condescending and _ obliging candidate is everywhere to be met with. One of the earliest afield is Mr R. McNab, who aspires to parliamentary honours and desires to represent Mataura. As a candidate lie, of course, has the welfare of New Zealand at heart, and looks forward to the time when, under the guidance of himself and other young patriots, Maoriland will figure as the brightest gem in her Majesty s diadem, and as the most prosperous colony of that empire upon which the “ sun never sets. Mr McNab, in his addresses so far, has shown himself to be a thorough Liberal of a progressive type. As lie is a young man of piomise and ability he is likely to make his mark, and had “Fox” a vote in the Mataura electorate he would be inclined to record it in favour of our “ legal-volunteering-education-ist.”

Politics in town are much mixed, and to my listening cars are wafted the names of numerous probable candidates. The list will, of course, be much curtailed on nomination day. “ The more the merrier,” exclaims each old weather-beaten contestant as he hears one or other of the “new blood” spoken of as likely to top the poll. So far no female aspirants have come forward, but judging from the interest the gentler sex manifest in matters political, it is difficult, to say how far their influence will be felt.

Who will be Premier —Seddon or Stout ? This is a question that will often crop up during the coming election. There are many who consider they see signs of the Knight’s iniluence and prestige in all the movements and in the policy of the present Government, and that think sooner or later the genial Sir Robert will take the helm of the State. Oil the other hand not a few politicians prophesy a continuance of the Ministry under the leadership of the Hon. Richard Seddon. From experience the mass of the electors know that it is almost immaterial who fills the functions of Prime Minister. They view with comparative indifference the Stout-cum-Seddon political duel, however much they may admire the hard-headed perseverance of the latter or the ability and debating power of the former. These are the days of party Government, and to all intents and purposes the Liberals are likely to remain in power. I have to thank a local scholastic gentleman for the following original composition on our familiar barn-yard fowl. Whether the production of one of his own hopefuls or not, I cannot say, but it proves the writer (whoever that juvenile may he) to be possessed of remarkable powers of observation. “HENS.”

Hens is curius animals. They don’t have no nose nor no teeth, nor no ears. They swallows their vittles whole, and chews it up in their crops inside on ’em. The outside of hens is generally put into pillows and into feather dusters. The inside of a hen is sometimes filled with marbles and shirt buttons and setra. A hen is generally smaller than a good many other animals, bnt they’ll dig up nine taters quicker than anything that are not hens. Hens is very useful to lay eggs for plum-puddings. Sammy Jones eat so much pudding that it sent him into the diorama. Hens has got wings, and fly when they get freetent. I cut my uncle’s hen’s head of with a tomyhawk, and it freetened it to death. Hens sometimes make fine springchickens.” Vox.