RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 633, 10 January 1914, Page 3

RANDOM REMARKS.

By Onlooker.

It is the cherißhed prerogative of mortals to disagree with the dispensation of Providence in respect to weather, and as Providence doesn't appear to mind the custom will probanly be continued indefinitely. Certain optimistic people with a bent towardß philosophy profess to believe that in the dißtant future mankind will have reached a sufficiently high plane to be able to dipense with the weather as a subject of conversation or complaint. They are possibly correct, but it is questionable if the weather becomes a tabooed subject, whether such a happening would be an unmixed blessing. Talking horso is a fairly common custom, but the subject is not fit for all ■ections of the community, particularly after the races. The same applies to bowla and other popular recreations, while literature has long been banished from polite conversation. Fancy having to enthuse over Marie Corelli when you are convinced that Nat Gould is the only author worthy of conaideration! Everything con sidered, the weather as a subject suited to all sorts and conditions of intellect and society appears to be the only thing that fills the bill. As long aa weather lasts it is destined to be goßßipped about.

The foregoing is merely introductory to the usual complaint, but as practically ideal weather prevailed throughout the holidays it is to be hoped Providence will be excused. After all, bo many different brands of weather would bj necessary to Batisfy the various conditions of a complex civilisation that it would tax a lightning change artist to keep pace with the alterations necessary to please everyone. The farmers have just had sufficient fine weather to allow them to harvest and are beginning to talk peaaimiitically of a drought. Bowlers do not fear a drought, but object to the degree of heat under which they have to play. However, as long as tea heads are possible the position will be, to certain extent, ameliorated.

The gardening epidemic which attacked Te Kuiti virulently some time ago seema to have lust popularity for the time being, and the really devoted enthusiasts are becoming gravely concerned over the matter. It is a deplorable fact that interest in many worthy or lofty pursuits is aDt to be fleeting. However, the reason for the falling off may be attributed to the holidays, and with a continuance of fine weather our horticulturists may be depended upon to resume their activities with renewed vigour. It is probable a meeting of those interested will be held to decide upon what form the said activities will take. It has to be remembered the spell of gdry weather has depleted the water supply, and care will have to be exercise in the choice of beverage.

The raffle of nuggets promoted by the Wonderland section of the Auckland Exhibition ia giving rise to a cer tain amount of criticism,and attention ia being called to the necessity ' t of stringent supervision on the part of the authorities. The value of the nuggets ia not questioned, but it iB pointed out that it ia possible for the promoters to sell thouaands of pounds worth of tickets in a concern the prizeß for which are only valued at JE4OO. Of course, the promoters may not Bell tickets to the value of the prizes, but that is a risk worth taking. It is safe to assume a good many tickets will be taken in Te Kuiti, and if a prize comes this way the local branch of the Purity League will probably honour the occasion in a manner worthy of its beat traditions.

Mr C. E. Bennett, who is at present visiting Te Kuiti, is an old identity of the district, having been clerk in the local branch of the Public Works Department some fourteen or fifteen years ago. Prominent in all public and social matters the genial Charlie did much to advance the dis trict and brighten the social life of the town. He was a keen cricketer and led the«iocal eleven against Otorohanga, Te Awamutu. and Hamilton where deeds were done with the willow by Te Kuitians which rival the performances of the present-day bowlers. When Mr Bt-nnett waa promoted to the Wellington office, where he iu now chief account ant, he was accorded a special farewell by the old-time residents, and the heartiness of the good wishes was something to be remembered. Mr Bennett declares lie is not yet old enough to take to bowls and *till wields the willow in Wellington when occasion oilers. He is staying with his brother-in-law, Mr A. Julian, and all who know him will Wish him the best of good times during his holiday.

Much ink has been spilt over the particular dance called the "tango," and the attention of the public has been kept concentrated on Home phase of the alluring pastime. So many side issues may arise over a simple thing that the first cauße may be entirely overshadowed by the development. That ia what occurred in the recent strike, and that is what will likely happen to the tango. The Kaiser has banned the dance, and caused a split in the royal family accordingly. Britain's royalty also did or said something about the tango which was duly committed to print. The latest ia that after a performance a popular vote was taken to decide 88 to whether the dance was immodest. A score or so were of opinion that a verdict of guilty should be returned, but several hundreds voted the other way. And people are still to be found who consider life to be a serious thing. But joking apart, why not have the matter referred to the Te Kuiti branch of the Purity League from which body a thoroughly sound verdict could be looked for.