RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 632, 7 January 1914, Page 7

RANDOM REMARKS.

By Onlooker. The same old story has to be told about the holidays as ha 3 been narrated about the feßtive season for more years than can be numbered in the life of one individual, That is, as far as the main holiday element is concerned. The details, of course, may differ; the romance or the tragedy which constitutes the local interest of the detail being according to the time and place and opportunity. Many incidents are furnished concerning, the happenings of the holiday makers in various places, some of which are printable. However, being human, one has to remember that holiday season is a privileged time when reserve is cast aHide and the natural man comes to the surface of things and swims or sinks according to the conditions governing the occasion. Sometimes he swims first and sinks afterwards under the soporific influence of the hot weather. Nothing more pleasant can be imagined than a bathe in the sea followed by a siesta in the shade of the old apple tree.

Most of the King Country holiday makers bad their energies too fully occupied to indulge in a siesta. Some were cowling in a temperature which is rarely experienced at Te Aroha, and the deeds done on the green during that New Year tournament will live int he memory of all who beheld them as long as they are able to woo kitty or lead the way in a head. Only one complaint ha 3 been heard concerning the management of the tournament and that is to the effect that in Buch trying weather some cooler beverage than tea should have been provided. However, public opinion has to be consulted, and after all the true bowler Bhould be able to adapt himself to all conditions and draw the shot on hot tea as well as on cool forty five.

The bowlers certainly had a hot time, but their experience was nothing compared to that of the race goers. The weather was most trying and the effort of picking winners at a temperature of a hundred in the shade put a tax on the system which could only be met by the exercise of a spartan restraint. The result was that several winners were not picked, while the beauties of the surroundings were languidly regarded from any convenient shade. Sill there was not much missed by King Countryites except the first train home, and anybody is to be excused for a slip of that description. What may be classed among the unaccountable things is the missing of the train away from home by a devoted sport. It is told of another local celebrity that on a previous occasion he missed his bed, which is more unaccountable still. But as Kipling has it —that is another story, and it doesn't do to miv holiday happenings.

There is something to be said for Btaying home during Christmas and making the holiday a local event. The Tangitu settlers gave ample evi denee of patriotic spirit and resource in holding a sports gathering on New Year'B Day, and it gives widespread satisfaction to know that their effort was crowned with the success it so richly deserved, The member for the district showed his weakness for the backblocks by attending the gathering, but the report that he took part in the old buffers' race must be regarded as a holiday joke. It will be a long time before our own O.K. can be written down a haß-been. Anyone who has seen him in a tug-o'-war will agree that the youngest and best only are fit to come into the same class. There were even some siay-at-homes at Te Kuiti and the form shown on the bowling green was 3uch that the touring teams might have been proud of. Some of thß tea heads were worthy of any rink and the improvement shown by the players is something to marvel at.