Random Notes.

Clutha Leader, Volume XII, Issue 597, 25 December 1885, Page 3

Random Notes.

(By Mudlark.)

It was my intention to have answered in detail in those columns the very unkind, and also, I regret, to say, very incorrect article which appeared in the Otago Daily Times of the 17th inst. on the Catlins River Railway. But I forbear to do so here, and for three .reasons, the first boing that all those who know anything about the district and the history of the line, will be quite able to place a true value on the article in question. Secondly, because we can have too much even of a good thing, ergo, too much of Catlins. We have just had merrymakings and banquets over this railway, and enjoyed them heartily, and we will not run the risk of injuring oi{r- digestion by feasting on. pig upgn

pork. Thirdly, this being a/ fesfciye season-r-.a season of relaxation, skittles and beer, not to say whisky — my readers would not thank me if I was to prove the article in question a fable (to speak politely) from beginning- to end, which \ certainly could do, and very easily* I may, however, sa,y, en passant, that it is to, be deeply regretted that a newspaper enjoying the position and; patronjage of the' Otago Daily Times, should draw upon the editorial imagination for its facts, and give out to the Colony- at large a bigotted tirade of utter bosh and nonsense.-7-entirely devoid of truth. Yoila tout.

Apropos of this, why were our local orators allowed to. return home after the ba.nqu.et without having first been allowed to unbosom, themselves of their eloquence 1 It was really too bad. I know, of more than one embryo Senator who had taken several days to prepare a speech, and disappointed at not having an opportunity of giving it to the local world, went home -'ane]: made himself speechless — truly under great provocation. Otherwise, everything connected with the opening demonstration was completely successful.

A dreadful report w^as current in Clutha a few days ago. i People we&t about with long faces, and greeted each other with the doleful intelligence that * Thomson's dead !' There was not as much smile in all Balclutha as a homoepathist co,uld have r>ut into a globule. So fast does news gravel that it got wind over all the country side, and ' Thomson's dead !' was tbe lamentable exclamation of every Clutha elector. Indeed, it was generally believed: he was verily dead, and this belief was the only cloud on the horizon of our pleasure a$ Romahapa. But to the. surprise and delight of us all, Thomson turned up unexpectedly, like Banquo's ghost, at the banquet. As Macbeth then said, —

The tyne has been

That, when the brains we*je cut, the man would

_le, -. - ■ > , ■ And there an end ; But' now, zhoy rise again,— And we were all' very glad to see him.;

' The merry ' bells of Yule,' when this appears, will be ringing merrily the world over, for Christmas is again with us. The yeaiy np.w nearly spent, has been one of tribulation and anxiety to all who actively have tak-en part in the struggle for existence. The Colony has undergone a period of unusual, depression, and each and every adult Colonist has individually felt the eftects, more or less. Those of us who are permitted to welcome the. New Year with health and strength and unimpaired energy- and hope, have cause for gratitude, and it behoves us to buckle-to, with a will, and; with a heart for any fate 4 Let the great world spin for ever down the ringing grooves of chance,' ours to be manful, courageous, and kind, to keep a stiff upper-lip, and an increasing faith in One. greater, and better than our weak, puny- self, for- remember

That nothing walks with aimless feet, Tbat not one life shall be destroyed, Or ca.it as rubbish to the void, When God hath made tho pile complete.

We do not know what is in store for us this incoming year, and this, in the grand providential disposition of all things, is a blissful ignorance indeed. That we shall have our trials, expert ence is too true' a Seer foy- us to, doubt for- <

Never" morning wove

To evening, but some heart did break. But again,, on the other hand, we know, that

Hope springs eternal in the human breast ; Man never is, but al ways fco be blest. We are reasonably inclined to believe that the retrospect of 1886 will not be so gloomy as that of 1885. We have now realised the fact that financially the sooner our house is put; in order the better ; and no doubt many of us by this, time have set about in good earnest putting it in order. If individually this is attended to, then collectively we shall all reap the benefit. It remains to be seen whether or not the people will be beguiled by that artful, but unquestionably clever Israelite, Sir Julius Yogel, and sacrifice the

future of their adopted country for a temporary season of undue prosperity. Unfortunately, Man is a selfish animal, and his nature prompts him to clutch a golden certainty in preference to accepting a pro,mise-cram*ned future. This is but natural. But I think the balance of reason will kick the beam in favor of retrenchment, and if we are to borrow, then it must be something less than ten millions — or something else than a* ten-million loan scheme, four millions of which would be expended on the East and "West Coast and Nelson railway.

We oannot realise how much every unit of the population of this Colony has to. do with the results of legislation as a whole. Education-^ which is extending its influence throughout the length and breadth of this, favored land, is tending to acquaint us that the concomitant part of a constituency is a constituent ; or, in plainer words, every individual elector is in himself a power unto the Nation. When we are better able to grasp this fact we shall legislate less selfishly. The Premier very rightly reminded us the other evening that nothing exalteth a Nation so much as richteousness, and although not wish T

liiigv to be. mythical, the tendency-- of the ; times is- more- towards righteous* go--vernment than ever it was. before sThis is purely the result of higher;education. With our own Laureate may we exclaim, on this, apropos 'season of the year — _Ung out f atse pride in place and blqod, The civic slamler and tbe spite-;. 3\i_g in the love of truth and right, King iv the counnoa love of good. • Ring in the valiant men and; free,,. The larger' heart, the kindlier hand ; Ring ou,fc the darkness of tae land, Ring in the Christ that 13, to be. This being a gay arid festive, season, I will be brief in these my- unusually philosophical notes. Generally, I don't philosophise, for life, is too real, too practical, and my readers would not thank me. But at this season of the year one cannot help being philosophic cally inclined. It is naturally a contemplative season, hence this slight indulgence on my part. It is many years ago now. since I first had the honor and pleasure, of wishing my kind and indulgent readers 'A merry Christmas and' a happy. New Year.' .We am getting older together, and. our best interests are mutual. My readers aremy patrons and my- kind friends — my too indulgent audience. Naturally, therefore, although Mudlark is somewhat of: a cynic (alas !. he cannot help it), he has yet got his share of senti-. ment, and, can, be grateful. He. can with unimpeaohable motive on this occasion wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, and tho,-. roughly mean, it. May. 1880 be indeed; , a happy and prosperous, year to yo ( u. all, my readers !