GUN FIRING AT NORTH SHORE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 105, 2 May 1908, Page 7

GUN FIRING AT NORTH SHORE.

{To the Editor.) Sir, —As I am a constant reader of the " Star," I read the letters of Mr.-Herbert A. Metcalfe, " Bang, Bang," and "Gunner A., No. 3, G.A." Mr. Metealfe accuses "A Canadian Lady" and myself of gross selfishness because we object to what he calls three or four days' firing. 1 would ask him to carry his memory back to February last, when some of his niates were firing every morning at 5 a.m. and evening at 6 p.m. I should also ask him now long do the bells of St. Matthew's Church ring? For only about a quarter of an hour or so; and although 1 am not a musician I consider church bells are preferable at any time to gun-firing. "Bang Bang"-is, in 'my .opinion, like a good many more whom I hay*; met,, one who has, aever travelled himself, and looks upon all others in the same light. I suppose if " Bang, Bang " has to Kawan, he lias made a foreign voyage; hie ignorance ntast be excused. When 1 tell "Bang, Bang" that I lemd twenty

one ytiars ia the English Royal J! und have Treen through the Egyptian Camp'a'igh of 1882 (medal, three* bars and bronze star), Perafc (medal and clasp), and have been on the China station, East and \Vest; Indies, North American, Pacific, Mediterranean and Cape of Good Hope stations, besides Having been for 12 years in the Mercantile Marine, having served in "every capacity from boy to .master, he may say that I have not travelled; but has he done as much? He says he served for five years In the Artillery. I should, like to know what comparison he would draw between the popguns used by him and" the guns on some of the vessels which shelled Alexandria. The shells we fired weighed loewt., and were lifted with purchases. No doubt "' Bang, Bang's " breast swelled with pride when he looked at his muddy pants after the "' Battle of Brown's Bay," when perhaps, he got a medal made from a meat tin for that terrible engagement with blank cartridges; or would he exchange the said medal with mc for the Khedive's bronze Star (Egypt, 1882), made from a gun which we captured from the enemy; the • imperial medal (Egypt, 1882), and last, but not least, the good conduct and long-service medal Which can also Be worn on the left breast. "Gunner A., No. 3 G.A." asks the use of the guns- His own common sense, if he Has any, ought' to tell him that they are for use, not ornament. Does he think £hat he would be allowed to work the guns? Probably he would act as .sponger for a Permanent Artilleryman, and if the " boys," as he calls them, wish to make fools of themselves, that is no reason why others should be annoyed by this nuisance. 1 still hold the opinion, and so do others, that the nuisance of firing guns should be abated.—l am, etc.. A .LOVER OF PEACE.