WANDERINGS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 106, 3 May 1909, Page 8

WANDERINGS.

(By Weary. Willie.)

"He that spareth the rod hateth Ms own. son: but he that loveth him chasieneth him betimes."

"Once more into the breach, dear brethren." Things have been happening whilst I have been away. The very face of day has altered. In a word, somnolent Blenheim has awakened from its long sleep, and, by a judicious selection of men to fill its public positions, has given the town a chance to regain its place amongst its neighbours.

The present civic head has been given another lease of life, and he will have an opportunity this year to do something for his native town. He has-with him a Council of strong moving spirits, of which the one and only Carr will be the restraining influence. " What do we want with, a water supply when you can piit down a pipe anywhere and get water:1 Ilius spake a Councillor upon a recent occasion, but several fires since have proved the folly of his contention. * * * *

It w-as no surprise to find Willie Giiiins at the top of the poll. He has not yet made any mistakes. He has not been long enough before,, the public for that. We will see what the years will bring. Mr Girling is spoken of as the coming man m Marlborough. One thing he will need to bear constantly in mind— the number of his years. Very young men on the threshold of public life are apt to forget they are still young and have much to learn. It will be "Weary's" mission to watch over our young friend and see that the reproach be not cast at him— "Yer fiat don't fit yer very well.'

Three of the old order of Councillors were relegated to private life. "Dusty" says they got a "big bump." Of two "of them it may be safely written " requiesbat in .pace," but the third gentleman will come to light again. Messrs Macey, Brown, and Griffiths did not face the music, otherwise there "might" have feeea some change in the personnel of the new Council—or, rather, there might not have been so much change; which lvould have been a. great pity.

The proceedings of the new Council will be watched with keen interest. So much is .-expected of the ."Young Blenheim Party " that I am sorely afraid they will not come up -to expectations. 'It is sincerely to be hoped the new members on the Council are not of the rejected Mayoral aspirant's opinion—to mark time for three years. A pretty progressive policy, to be sure. We are heartily sick of the marking time policy, and want a right-about-face, quick march order of things for the future. We want a loan of £50,000, and the money spent on a drainage scheme and high-pressure water supply. The present Council will have to move in this matter. Is there one of our City Fathers bravo euough to take'the lead? What if it does double the rates? Is it not worth it? AYe can't have a. good thing without paying for it, and, as Aye want it, let's get it.- But it is a moot point whether it will not tend to lower the rates, if anything. Given a healthy and sanitary town, the great obstacle to settlement is removed, and increased population and enhanced property values will do the rest. ' ' . ■ I

The other night a young fellow was riding up Maxwell Road on his bicycle, and when opposite St. Mary's Church met a lady cyclist coming towards town. Chivalry apart, it was the young nfan's place to leave the track open to the young lady, as he was on his wrong side, and the lady apparently expected that he would. He did not, however, and endeavoured to "bluff" the lady on to the gravel in the centre of the road. Just too late the girl understood that the male person was devoid of gentlemanly instinct, and she put on her l>rake hard, at the same time turning outwards to avoid the certain collision. She had all the worst of the impact, and came off on the gravel, the young fellow keeping on his way. The young lady was on the verge of fainting from the shock, and her brake had got mixed in confusion with her front wheel. The male person -thought discretion the better part, and went on his way without even ihe customary "beg pardon," and the lady was left to find the best way possible out of her difficulty. A passer-by lent assistance, and after some manipulation, which engendered the entire removal of the brake, the lady was enabled to continue her ride. Verily, the age of chivalry is dead.