SPRING IS HERE!

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 138, 20 September 1910, Page 4

SPRING IS HERE!

All the poets, great and small, since ever the earth blossomed, have seized on spring as a subject for glad writing, and were a master of the music of the soul to stray into beautiful Taranaki just now as nature riots in production he might find the theme for a very special dedication to the Muse. It is necessary, perhaps, for people to have lived in dull draj) lands where nature is slow with her work to appreciate the wonder and beauty of this sudden quickening of the earth. Just as the healthy sleeper awakes after a long night's rest refresh-', ed and invigorated, pulsing with new life, so rises Nature and dons herself in the green garb of spring. The minutest effort of the Earth Mother is more wonderful than all our human sciences, our little plans, our tiny strivings, our greatest endeavors. The fern frond that yesterday tucked its brown head in slumber, is to-day pushing its tender green face towards the life-giving sun, and however little we may understand the phenomena of it, the influence of Nature's work insensibly charms us and—if we think at all—the outstanding thought must be that of wonder at the marvellous persistence of Nature which provides everything that natural man desires, to: feed his foody and his mind, and to fill his soul with wonder and thankfulness. Nature is ever changing, arid from spring £o fall variety is given so that monotony may not depress the animal world. Even if we look upon the grass and its wonderful growth, merely from the cow standpoint, the influence of its life affects us, especially. if we have lived in droughtsmitten countries where the first tender green of the rainy season has brought almost delirious joy to those who have not see Nature's commonest tint for a year or two. Here in Taranaki Nature is kinder than in most places. We become matter of fact about her gifts because we are used to them, and' it does us all good to leave her in her gay garb for a while, so that we may joy in a return to one of her finest workshops. The people who glory in the marvels of the earth's returning life are offering up the best prayer man is capable of, and just at this season of the year when our beautiful province sings the song of spring, there is an answering note in the soul of the people that swells the music of the spheres. We in New Zealand have a precious heritage and Nature is our banker, and at this season of awakening, it is useful to remember that what is worth having is worth fighting for with wit and grains and weapons, for Nature is not particular what portion of her children see the blossoms burst in a Taranaki springtime.