THE FRANKLEY PAPERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15433, 20 April 1912, Page 7

THE FRANKLEY PAPERS

By Edith Howes. il-theTioses. Born of darkness under tho earth and of wbito light abovo it, of decaying grossucss and of pure air, of dowdrups and Um sod, of euiishino and rain, of starlight and storm, nourished and sustained by heaven and by earth, toiidcd and disciplined by tho hand of man, tho rose grows into tho joy of ovcry ago, the sweet and perfected combining of colour, form, and texture, tho marvellous fulfilment of the spirit's dream of beauty. \.

Strong yet eonsitivo, slow but. persistent, sending out lino filaments to tlvrcad their way to necessary moisture, the roots perform their hiddon darkened functions, holding, supporting, nourirdiing. In tlicm [joes on through tho long years the marvellous vegetativo aklicmy, tho changing of doatl) into life, of decay into beauty. From their packed cells flic transmuted fluids rush, to rise through close-ect passages into Uio ascending stems. 'flic 6t«mH, thoso rich rcpcHitorics of racing nop, reach out mid spread and lengthen, flinging out long arms of creeiiwreathed gracefidncss. Armoured with their hooked and Uwmcd defence, they push and cling and nverrido, tutstinting in Uicir growth, prodigalu of energy and life-material. Pntno<l and repulsed, recovering and inaistont, and yet «#iin repulsed, fettered and trained and unwillingly obedient to the mind of man, they arc- forced at List to devote their pulsing lifc-Btroam to the full vitality of tho flowers.

Bound and round their slender columns grow tlio clusters of lunged loaves. Fine- | »veined and pointed, red-tinged and peakedged, they hang their green surface* in the flowinc inviaihlo storehouses of tho air swnvitii; in tHic luwlth-giving abundance ot the i>otent sunlight. In their minute yet perfect laboratories goes on yet anoUier mystic alchemy, tho transmutation of tho breathed-out carbon of tho world into the tissue-food of the plant. Lightly lltcy hang, yet in their tremulous thinness is strength and force and never-failing industry. Wrapped in green pinted buds, tenderly protected from oold and rain and ravages of insect pesta, appear at last tho precious blossoms. For these the plant has stored its treasured gains, for their nutrition the nearer leaves forgo llieir full development. Through waxing summer days and waning nights, through sun and shower and earth-drawn blessing of tho dew, tho slow buds push and swell and open, till the treo stands crowned with llowcre of perfect beauty. Tinted with tho soft bright flush of early dawn or dyed with tho red glory of tho setting sun, white with the still purity of snow or shining with the pale gold of welcome sunshine breaking through .a winter cloud, tho rounded petals arch and meet and overlap, to swell away again in shell-like curves. Delicately veined, exquisite in texture, in smoothness, in silken lustriv of their light-cncrystalled mirfaoes, tlioy fold about tlio hidden heart where golden pollen grains lie stored in golden sacs; enclosing yet out-bending, protecting vet compelled to show forth tlieir own loveliness.

11l tho soft bosom of tlio flower is hourly formed that delicious perfume, faint yet steadfast, which, onco breathed, can never ho forgotten. From every pctallcd surface tho haunting essence steals, to mako tlio air above a little Ben of floating fragrance, and to carry to our hcarte ita memories of long-gono'siimmer (Liya and scented nights. Pain and joy nro_ in its sweetness, and ecstasy; besides which U neither pain nor joy; some raptured mystery,' nameless, but appealing. Jtockcd by morning winds and gemmed with pnarl-cdgcd dews, glowing in tho noonday sun and breathing out soft perfumed sighs beneath tho silver stillness of the moon, lite flowers hang as if some ,wiz!srd touch had stirred up bright embodied souls to deck the earth.

' Dolighl of childhood's years, cherished object of manhood's eager culture, dear theme of bard and poet, tho rose is loved in every lnnd, praised in every tongue. Man and Nature here combining liavo produced tho glory of the world.

MAORI HILL FIRE BOARD.

A meeting of tlw Maori Hill Fire Board was held yesterday; prcsentr-Mossra S. N. Brown (chairman), li S. Clarke, \V. J. Bolam, A. J. Butlerlield, and J. It. Cameron. An apology for alwiieo was received from Mr O. BnJk.

Tho Cliristohureli Firo Board wrote advising that at a meeting held on March 1 it had been decided to post|H>no indofinitily tlio arrangements for tho conference.—Received.

Tito Pahnerslon North Firo Board wrote saying that it was desirous that a conference of Firo Board rcpi\«ei>tativ>s should bo held at an early date for the purposo nt discussing several nmt-lon of general interest to Firo Boards, so that, if approved, they might bo placed boforo tlw Minister with a reiuicst that thoy bo embodied in an amending act, especially in tho direction of allowing loans to bo advanced to Firo Brigades under "Tho SUilo-gtiaranteed Advances Act, 1908," lo facilitate puruliasos of laud, tho erection of fire stations, and provision of up-to-date oc/uinment of lirigauea.—lt was resolved to infonn tho board that tho Maori Hill Board had already expressed its viows and hod been corresponding with another luard on the matter.

Messrs Turnlmll and Jonos wroto acknowledging receipt of the. board's aoooptanco of their offer to maintain tho street firo alarm system and supply of material, etc—Received. iMmhto J. Hobin wid Co. wrote with regard to tlio supply of a light reel with lwj; for hose ami forwarding quotnttbn.— It was resolved tlial tho boiird confer with tho superintendent of tho brigade concerning tho iiuiltor Tho Inspector of i'iro Hrigades (Mr T. Hugo) forwarded a report stating that ho had insjKctod tho Maori Hill llrigade, its stations and equipment, on tho Ist mid 2nd of I'obruary. At tho inspection nuisior thero wcro present tho sii|K>riutcndont, deputy superintendent, and 14 lireinon. That, with two nion at Wocdhnugh and two on leave, accounted for tho full strength of tlio brigade. Tho stations ami appliances Inul lieen maintained in good ordtr and condition, lit testing the tiro alarm uisttJhUion tho signal from tlio Driver street alarm Ik>\- registered wrong twice, in sueeosiion, and tho superintendent jironiiwd lo liavo tlio mat lor att<'iul,\l to immediately. A plan of tho water main in tho Maori Hill district should ho hung up in tlio Firu Brigade Station, ♦Somo now noalos. m explained and illustrated during tlw , inspection drill, were required. —The mooting decided, with regard lo tho noulos. that tho board confer with the superintendent when inspecting the plan. llio su|>erint«ndciit roi>ortod that sovoral pegs marking tlw plugs on tlio hill wero missing, and it would bo well if they were replaced as "soon as possible. Ho drew attonlioii to tho fact that somo person had removed Hie lalvnrds from tho post at the station in Woodhaugh, and suggojUd that tho police bo not.i!ii-d of the practice- of interferim; with Fire Brigade appliances, which should be put down with a firm hum!. The usual practice wiw held during the month, and tho nttojidanco was satisfactory. Particulars of a firo on Wednesday, March 13, when tho residence of Mrs Poole, Palo street. wtw Wly burned and the side wail of tlio adjoining promise* seorclh'd, were onclosed. Tho cause of tho fire was a badly tei in grate. Tho report wna adopted. Accounts to tho amount of £11 13s wore passed for payment. The bank overdraft was stated to 'bo £169 17s.