READERS' VIEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9653, 9 July 1919, Page 5

READERS' VIEWS.

, (To thk Editor "Gcaiimas.")

■Sir, —I was amused, and at the same time pained, after reading the letter in the " Guardiaii'-''last''night over the norn do plume of "Greater AshburtoiK 1' .-.iT-hi's geiitleman„ (?) mayi ihave .something to complain about, but, if so, Jie has his redress. I consider some of his remarks arc deliberate insults to the residents oi: Hampsitead' and ; this: '.cc-ininunity generally" when"--he-"states: '"Ono or two ladies'are in a high pitch of anger;.over. .their, nice, clean,- little girls getting!>thcir heads full of .those I beasts' of 'jin any 'logs'"whilst attending the 'Appy- 'Anipstead' School." His letter implies the Town Board are responsible for:. : this. ■ Now, Sir, I am not a resident' oi' .Hampstead, but I may tell him I know personally the majority of the Hampsteiid people, and can-truthfully- and fearlessly say that for cleanliness they compare favourably with any : similar suburb in New Zealand (Ashburtori Borough included), and I may also tell him that the children living in the Borough attending the Hampstead School . aro almost ' equal to those living in Hampstead; therefore his complaint (if it exists) .applies:equally to the mothers of both district. Such remarks, I consider, aro a slur and an insult to each member of '"the community, and were I a resident of Hampstead I should be inclined to seek oiir friend out and make him swallow the leek and the insult also. No doubfc Hampstoad will look after that. "Greater Ashburton" evidently is -trying to do this district harm, but, living there himself, is too short-sighted to poo that ho is fouling his own nest, and T. would advise him to use some moans ' other than disparago the nanw and community of fair Hampstead. HENRY STEPHENSON.

Allouton, July 9,

(To the Editor "Guardian.")

Sir,—Would you. allow ; me- the xise of your valuable columns to challenge the person who wrote in the last issue of the " Guardian " under the norn de plume of "Greater Ash burton" to prove.. his statements re Hampstead School. For six years my children have* attended the Hampstead School. I have three girls and one boy attending now, and I can verify that there has never been any occasion to question the cleanliness of the children in general attending, the school. However, you will readily agree with me that it would be a remarkable performance for a school with an attendance as large as Hampstead to be absolutely free from the occasional appearance of these mites; qnd at the same time I can also testify to the surveillance and strictness of those in charge pi the classes at Hampstead to prevent the :'class - l>eing affected should a- child presumably appear to have "company" on its head, and thus for their efforts have been rewarded by having a school as clean as any of its size to be found. I know what I am talking about from experience of other schools my childi'en have attended; both in the North Island and South *>Islancl. " Greater Ashburton," you seem to have manifold troubles, and metljjinks they will follow you wherever you' reside. What with cows .bellowing, dogs howling, waggoners growling, fowls scratching, and contractors, and wee animals, you appear to be having a rough spin during your.short sojourn in contented Hampstead'. Hampstead needs some little improvements, we all know. What tb cy need, " Greater Ashburton," are some useful suggestions and practical help to improve present conditions. Instead of that, you_ have done a miserable thing in having a crack at the, Hampstead School. I would ask "Greater.Ashburton". does his children go to this school ?,, If not, he may be of a different opinion if they had a, term there. Next time you and the waggoner have a scrap, please confine your remarks to the subject in hand—rubbish —and I think maybe the waggoner will empty more rubbish tins next time

D H. DAHLBERG

(To the Editor "Guardian.")

Sir, —It was a bit amusing to read "Greater .Ashburton's" letter in last night's "Guardian" and I havo formed two conclusions. One is that ho belongs to that portion of Hampstoad who wore : gulled into joining the Borough, and after receiving his rate account is now trying to work the fox and grape trick, or else he has been affected with what 9 is described in the Army as shell shock. I remember seeing a case once where a man imagined he was "chatty" and could • hear certain noises, and it turned out that he received his shock through over-indul-gence in Viri. Blanc. So I should imagine that "Greater Ashburton" must have been having an extraordinary stunning time and mixed his drink very much, seeing that he is affected so bad as to be seeing a whole menagerie of reptiles, etc.; quite a Noah's Ark, and I think the sooner he changes his quarters the better for Happy Hampstead. ■ FORTY YEARS IN HAMPSTEAD.