MY DAY TO GROWL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 75, Issue 6441, 3 November 1947, Page 5

MY DAY TO GROWL

ABOUT THIS AND THAT LIFE’S VICISSITUDES AND ITS PLEASANTRIES (By A. Growler) The fact that there are three entrants for the Mayoral Stakes, to be decided next month, should create more than usual interest in that event. Only one performer on the municipal turf has completed the course in that event, but both the other nominees have had preliminary training in the shorter distance of the Borough Council Scurry, weight for age, event. In the latter contest there are sixteen starters, quite a satisfactory field. One figures in both events, but only one other has completed the course previously, so that here again there is scope for an interesting struggle. The promoters of the events have followed the lines of progressive bodies, and have increased the stakes in the Mayoral event, but whether that had any influence in the increase in candidates far be it from me to say. Unfortunately, no gold cup goes to the winner; and I suggest (in all seriousnsss) that the time is overdue when the Mayor of Te Awamutu should have a Mayoral chain, even if robes of office are burked at. Towns much smaller and less rich than ours have seen to it that their civic head has such a symbol of office to be used on civic occasions. There are several exMayors resident in the town, and each of them could donate a gold link, as is usually the custom. Regarding the two sporting events to be decided next month no doubt the “ stable ” connections will see that their favourites reach the starting barrier in the pink of condition, so to speak. ♦ * * ♦

As one who appreciates public service well rendered, I would like to pay a tribute to those members of the local Borough Council, the Wpipa County Council, and the Electric Power Board who are not seeking reelection. I count those gentlemen among my friends, and four years’ close association w*th them in a far more humble capacity than that occupied by them has enabled me to appreciate the worth of their services to the communities of this wide and rich district. They have all served their respective interests faithfully and well, and they deserve the thanks of all who admire good citizenship. All, without exception, have treated me with the utmost courtesy, and I would like them to know that such has been greatly appreciated. I hope all of them will be spared to enjoy many happy years of retirement.

A feature—and a by no means worthy one of Sunday afternoon broadcasts from some of our broadcasting stations is one called “Prisoner at the Bar.” A few Sundays ago they gave the story of the trial of a girl of sixteen years of age who had coolly murdered her mother. All the sickening details of an appalling matricide, with sounds of the fatal shots, were given with a realistic touch that could well have been directed to far worthier purposes. There are murders in plenty in New Zealand, and I venture to say that their number is not likely to be lessened by the type of broadcast referred to. That Sunday should be chosen for the broadcasts in question is another matter that calls for condemnation. It is hoped that the series will end speedily, never to be resurrected.

Recently the Director-General of Education returned from a trip overseas (at the taxpayers’ expense), and now’ he is off on another jaunt (again, presumably, at the taxpayers’ expense). Does that gentleman think that our educational system is of so little value that he disdains to give his services to it, for which he receives considerably over £lOOO a year ? Either the Director-General should stop at home and do the job he is paid to do, or resign the position and thus leave himself free to gad about the world. I was more than surprised that five members of the National Party lent themselves to being party to the further junketing abroad of the gentleman in question.

It is to be regretted, I think, that the Prime Minister is not going to attend the Royal wedding. The importance of the occasion rightly demands that New Zealand should be represented by its chief citizen, for party politics do not enter into it in any way. Mr Fraser is held in great esteem in Britain and elsewhere overseas, and he should certainly attend. He has gone abroad on far less important pretexts. The Leader of the Opposition has said that he is willing to give a “ pair ” to Mi* Fraser, so that there is no excuse. In these days of modern air travel*Mr Fraser need not be out of New Zealand for any great length of time.

Writing of the Royal wedding reminds me that one of the first official acts of t'he new' Borough Council when it is elected on the nineteenth of next month will be to send a cablegram of congratulations and good wishes to Princess Elizabeth, who is to be married on the following day. That privilege should be an added incentive to all candidates to do their “ darnedest” to see that they are elected to the Chamber. It reminds me of a story of the good old days of Taihape. The first Mayor of that delectable borough was the late Mr Anthony Nathan, and the day of the election coincided with that of the Presidential election in the United States. It was reported that Tai•hape’s first Mayor sent a message of congratulation to the newly-elected President, who. on receiving it, is also reported to have said: “Who in the heck is Nathan and where in the heck is Taihape ?” Purely apocryphal, of course, but somewhat entertaining. I take it that the Royal brideelect has a greater knowledge of her future Empire than that.

The fact that Te Awamutu is in danger of losing its historical museum should come as a shock to citizens. The community owes a very real debt of gratitude to Mr Gavin Gifford for his generosity in housing the price-

less collection in his rooms, free of cost, over a long period of years. Mr Gifford has also been more than generous in giving curios, which in many cases he purchased at no small cost to himself, to the museum. The Historical Society is faced with the task of finding a home for its collection. It would be a pity—indeed, a thousand pities—if the collection, which is identified with rhe early and stirring days of this district, should be allowed to be dispersed. Surely the Borough Council, the W ( aipa County Council, the Chambers of Commerce (Senior and Junior), and the Rotary Club will rally to the assistance of the Historical Society and see that some suitable place is found for housing the relics. When the American servicemen were in New Zealand hundreds of them visited the museum, and they were loud in their praise of the collection; many of them, too, were judges competent to speak of the value of the exhibits. Seeing that the public meeting system seems to be the approved method of getting things done in Te Awamutu, surely such a meeting should be convened so that concerted stens could be taken to keep the museum in its rightful place—Te Awamutu.