THE EDITOR'S DRAWER.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 53, 16 March 1887, Page 3

THE EDITOR'S DRAWER.

Condensed Correspondence,

€ity Water Supply.— "A Resident writes :—" As Mr Pond has been authorised to analy .0 the wator at high and low levels,

may I su B gost that ho analyss tho water in Pollen-street, Surrey Hills (Great North Road end), where iusects may bo found as

numerous as mosquitoes in a stagnant pond."

The Government V.Australian Mutual Provident Society.—We cannot find spice for the long letter of "Policy No. 34,054 " on this subject. Tho respective institutions referred to had bettor rest upoc their merits, and not upon Bpecial advocacy.

The Globe Readers. — On this vexed topic "Southern Cross "writes :—"lt would be woll, too, that an exhaustive enquiry should be mado as to tho most euitabl'o bouks to be adopted. An Australasian Keaderwould be proferable ; it may bo that auch a book is in use in Bomo of the sister colonies. _ At all ovonts, great core should be exorcised in tho eelcction of repdors, and some reasonable guarantee should be given of permauenco /.hen the books are adopted. In connection with this eubject it would be opportune to request a largo attendance at tho forthcoming annual meeting of householders. It would strougthen the hands of the new committees if a freo expression of opinion wore given on this aud similar subjects."

Licensing Affairs in City North.—"An Elector of City North " writes on this subject as follows :— " Already the busy sounds of the hammer and saw are heard in tho public-house bars of City North, reinstating the bars, hid out oi eight or totally abolished by our Temperance Licensing Committee, although great fuss was mado before the licensing election about what -was going to be dono.

Let the Cobulek Stick to his La..t. "LiveandLet Live" writes complaining that although tho journeyman bootmakers recently got an advaneo of wages by tho help of tho shopkeepers and tho public, these journeymen are now absorbing tho bulk of the repairing trado, doing it at homo at night for ono half tho prico that tradesmon, who have expenses to pay, can take. Theso journeymen uro taking the trado from tho shops, while tho unfortunate shopkeepers are keeping them in steady employment by buying ready-made work from tho factories that omploy them."

Mount Eden Nuisances.—"Fair Play," who is a resident of Mt. Eden district, alleges that tho blasting operations in full swing there are more dangerous than the target practice of the Volunteers. He cays : "I think all we need to reach the culminating point is that pieces of rock should come crashing through our roofs ; then we should realise thoroughly the effect of a bombardment, and should tho Russians or any other deadly enemy turn up, we Edeners could go to the front without fearing any foe, however noisy. By-the way, Mr Editor, do you not think that a six montha' residence at this spot devoted to war's alarms would prove beneficial to our Volunteer officers? They, at le.st, would hear the shots tired if they did not smell much powder, and thus by sharing our dangers be better qualified for coming events."

The Colonial and Indian Exhibition.— Mr Albert Potter writes:—" If the article in the 'Herald' of the 7th is meant to substantiate the assertion of that journal in re gard to Mr Twopenny's claim (as set up by himself, being the real author aud designer of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition) in reply to my letter in your issue of tho 3rd, a more clumsy transparent subterfuge cou'd scarce be conceived by referring to what waa done by another party in 1576 in respect to a 'Museum,' a repository of curiosities (extent, quality, and value undefined). Those cherished and valuable instutionß remain in all countries, bciDg held apart from and irrespective of national and local exhibitions. It is to be hoped Mr Twopenny will bo more happy in his references whon attempting to build his reputation upon the foundation of other 3."

A Traveller's Grievance.—"Traveller" writes as follows : —"On several occasions attention has been called to the disgraceful manner in which the tramcara are overloaded, the platform being so crowded that it ia dangerous to those that stand there. I think, sir, it is quite timo tbat the city authorities took steps to stop tho ovor-load-ing of the tramcars.

The Ai>v_ntiS- Challenge oe. Invitation.— "More Light," referring to the offer made by Mr Daniells to give up the Tent pulpit for any ono night to all local clergymen who might wish to speak on the subjects treated by him, says : —" What a simple bird it would be that would bo caught with such light chaff as this ! — Take the platform for one night, and give Mr Daniells the opportunity—in his own ingenious way—of discussing and refuting all the previous speaker aaid without hia being able in any way to reply. The device is rather too transparent, and ministers are not likely to accept the invitation under such circumstancea. If Mr Daniells Is not afraid to submit his pet theories to the light of criticism, and if he is so suro of the position he takes up, why not have a debate ? Why ia he so afraid of answering verbal questions publicly 1 Why not let the clear light of Scripture shine upon all that he advances? A few days ago, one of Mr Daniels's followers was conversiug with a recognised preacher in Auckland, who sent the following verbal challenge to Mr Daniells : 'Be kind enough to give Mr Daniells my complimonta, and say that I shall bo pleased to debate with him on the seventh day question for one, two, or three nights, the conditions to bo that no book except the Bible should be used, unless to settle the meaning of any par tieular word in dispute, when a lexicon might be referred to; but all commentators, etc, to be kept strictly out of the debate.' The advertisement offering hia pulpit for one night to any recognised minister and excluding debate is tbe only answer received so far."

Eden Terrace and Water Su.plv.—Mr George McCowatt gives tho following aa the true reasons why many in Eden Terrace Diatriet were opposed to the proposed loan supply :—" It was not because the residents were indifferent for the safety of their property, but because of the way it was proposed to carry it out. What is the use of raising this loan and taxing ourselve3 to repay it when the water supply would be but little good without a Fire Brigade ? How are we to maintain a Fire Brigade with all its accompanying expenses? Our income, derivable from ratei,is sometbiog like three hundredpounde(l speak from hearsay ),and out of that we have about a quarter of a mile of the New North Road to keep in repair, and which muat always be a firßt charge on our income; and when other necessary expenses are added you will see there is not much left. Iv my opinion, our best course is to petition the City Council to join us to the city ; we may not get all our wants supplied in a month, or even in a year, but I am certain that, were we part of the city, we would get our improvements done by degrees, whereas by remaining as we are I venture to say that at the end of twenty years we will be as we are to-day, so far, at least, as improvements are concerned."

The Totalisator.—" Sport" writes on this topic as follows _—"I cannot underatand why the Metropolitan Club of this province has been so dilatory in dealing with tho abuse of tho above machine -at our country meetings. Ido not believe that in any part of the world is racing carried on to such an extent bb in New Zealand, and in the province of Auckland in particular. Fancy places like Onehunga, Otahuhu and North Shore having four and five meetings a year, places where, if tho totaliaator waa not being worked, they would havo great difficulty in getting up one decent meeting. I can count, while sitting, twenty moetings per annum, averaging (I take it from your reports as far as my memory will servo me) from three to four thousand pounds each, and as the proprietor of the totalisator gets five per cent, besides the odd money, in all, say nearly £5,000 per annum, one cannot wonder at so many mushroom clubs start-! ing into existence; but ia the above calculated to promote legitimate racing ?"

Early Closing.—On this subject " EF." writes as follows:—" I was pleased to hear that, stimulated by your leading article of February 24th on Sir John Lubbook'B Earlier Closing Bill, and by prior correspondence, steps are being taken _ to convent a public caestiag to consider this question. There is no doubt but that a compul-.ory Early Closing Bill would meet with fha support ol tho vast majority of the employers and employees whom it would benefit. You truly Bay, 'All who have worked in connection with early closing movements agree that voluntary efforts cannot secure a reasonable curtailment of the hours of labour.' Some objester may say, «Pf course, those whom it

: would benefit would support a compuleory closing bill, but what about the others ?' The query is a reasonable one, but the objector should show who would be injured by euch an act. The principal objectors would be of the class of one who said, ' What's a man to do if his shop is closed early ?hecan'tgotobed.' Couldainorecogont reason bo givon in favour of such a measure when the effect of continuous shop is to cause tho victim to spend his timo between shop and bed ? Of some such ono the poet cays :

[ I or a for ward step In the mart lie hath dealt in flash and blood ; At tile bank his name Is good ; At tho bank and ODly there, ' Tie a marketable ware, In his eyes, tho cold, hardfrUnt Of now dollars from the in nt. Ocen now jour spirit's eye 3. Look through that poor clay disguise." Is it right that one or two in each trade should compol the whole of their neighbours in self-defence to subject themselves and I heir employees ' to a slavery-that is worse physically and mentally than any slavory that was ever known ia the States of Amorica ?' I hope tho matter will bo energetically taken up and carried to a successful is=ue."

i'HE Devon.ort Well.—"Pumped Out,'in the course of a very amusing lettor, cays : —"lt was with much pleasure that I signed a requisition to tho Mayor to convene a public meeting to at once take into consideration the question of water supply for Dovonport district. It has been truly painful to witness day by day for tho past fow months the abortive efforts of our muddle-headed Councillors to discover that subterranean riveroverwhich we are,according to thoso wise-acres, supposed to bo floating. What evidence wasthore thatsuchoxisted, beyond tho opinions of that wellsinker who now boasts that it was bo who started tho ' rivor theory,' to test which has cost us ratepayers such an enormous sum of money! 'Phis reminds me of another wellsinker, who never yet sank a well without striking the most wonderful spring on record. As he cays :— ' I allers tolls 'cm its tho wondorfullost spring I ovor seed. Thoro's a reglar rivor down there. 1 nover soo'd such a spring, and thon they tips mo half a soy. and don't want the well sunk no lower,' using at tho same timo that e.-proeeivo expansion of his lingois from the point of his nasal organ which Peter Siaiplo was in formed was tho orthodox sign of Freemasonry. This 'well' business clearly demonstrates the want of capacity and utter incompetency of our Borough Councillors, and now, after tho absurdity of their actions has beon mado manifest (but at what a cost), they will surely have the grace to resign their positions and make placo for men possessed of ordinary common sense. Probably, now that they havo tapped the river (although a salt one) another genius (?) wi!l_ suggest the purchase of a condensing engine and incorporate a salt factory in connection with the water supply (patent rights reserved). In the meantime the summer is passing, and the necessity for a water supply will be less felt, and the whole question will be shelved until next season. This is another misfortune to the district, in addition to the money already thrown away. Honour to whom honour is due, and I would suggest this is a fitting opportunity for a presentation to the Councillors of the time-honoured leather medal and putty ring, and also an illuminated copy of those beautiful lines, ' Shall we gather ntthe river, the beautiful, the beautiful river,' that leads whore?"