WAYSIDE GLEANINGS.

North Otago Times, 26 July 1906, Page 3

WAYSIDE GLEANINGS.

(By !' Nemo.")

" A word fitly spoken is. li]ce -apples• ot &old in pictures ot silver,"—Proverbs,

Our perfect (?) set ot bylaws notwithstanding, the footpaths of Oamaru arc vely much defded through Hie disgusting and unnecessary habit of expectoration. The A.M.I', corner is oxtrcmely unfortunate in this respect. 'As it appears impossible to put a stop to the habit, and as a prevention of disease, would ii not be as well to follow the example ot the Town Council of Nordhauscn, and pass a bylaw 'indicting a fine on any woman who wore a 'dress which reached to the ground ?,

It is safe to assume that the Town Council ol Nordhauscn was composed of mere men, audi men who had very little feeling, as I suppose it was someone's duty to put the law into loicc. Now, just imagine the kind of life the unfortunate' man must have led, What a picnic our polite Inspector would hart) hailsticking up the laities and measuring their dresses with a foot rule, and then when the dear girls appeared before our worthy S.M., ami gave occular demonstration of the shortness of their skirts, the front seats would lie in great demand. Perhaps alter all the. Nordhauscn men were only wags, with a keen sense ot the. ridiculous.

Notwithstanding all that has been written on the subject, and the number of fatal accidents still, the hoy and the pea ride danger seems in no way abating, but rather the reverse. Surely next session of Parliament shnul.l see some, attempt made to prevent the unnecessary danger to life ami limb. Perhaps if every person who allows a boy to have a pea rifle, or provides him .with ammunition, were made liable for any accident, the nuisance would soon be a thing of the past. If the Hon. George Jones took the matter in hand he would certainly merit the gratitude of the community,- Unfortunately such matters as tlie above arc quite over'ooked by our legislators, who mostly, act as it their whole duty consisted in political scheming aod wire-pulling.

How much longer will tlie people of New Zealand permit the use of the totnlisator ? I have never seen any valid reason advanced In its favor-. The records of tho vast sums • which pass through these gambling machines demonstrate the magnitude of the evil, while our ludges awl magistrates make constant reference to the growth of tho gambling habit and the resulting in. crcaso in crime. We are careful to legislate against gambling, and yet we ycaV ly gather into the Government coders large sums of money derived from this huge national gambling 'machine. The consistency of our legislators is truly wonderful.

The person who lately disported himself,on a tose,willi a ll'.uey on his b|ack created a good ileal of comment, hut hardly of the nature expected by him, No doubt he desired to convey the idea that even the poor swag-oarrior would in future shun ''dry Oamaru," and cause it to become a byword and a reproach The sight of the mook swagger naturally directed one's thoughts to the real swaggers of other days. The recollections did not make for merriment. Tho pool fellow no doubt many , a time was fainlo take his departure from our town, with his blucy on his hack, No £2O Licycle had he to assist him on his way, only two travel worn feet, scarce able to support their miserable burden, His irain still muddled from his recent debauch. No broatl acres and imposing strictures were his. Homeless, friendless, pennyless, his ultimate portion doubtless disease and death. Imagination is powerless to fathom the misery of mind n! such a one. Who reaped tho |.?nefit? Can the prickings of conscience go uniieedcd lot ever? Assuredly no,for a time must come when even the most I hardened in this world's wickedness will say Would it had been otherwise with me." . '■

I fervently trust the town of Oamaru has said " farewell" not "au rovoir '•'■ to the drink demon and his poor' swagcarrying victims.

Prohibition has many charges brought up against it. The latest is that it has caused a falling off in the membership of a jockey club. How dreadful. It is to tc hoped that prohibition will continue in its " wicked ways." The next wail will.be from the local, gaoler. There will be no gardeners offering to work on the gaol premises in reUirn for board and residence. These arc calamities which wo must try and put up with.

The Borough Council has at last got a real live progressive councillor in its team, I( fiis paces ate inclined to lie too fleet he had better to hitched up between Councillors Hedley and Vcrnor, and then theft will be no tear ot his bolting witlv the civic coach. He requires neither whip nor spur, but a Rood strong curb and gentle but firm handling. He has a game head and is capable ol a lot of hard graft.