THE ANZAC BAY PICNIC.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 6976, 15 February 1918, Page 4

THE ANZAC BAY PICNIC.

To the Editor

Sir, — Will you kindly ellow me to correct some uf your statements in leader uf Ist February with reference to Anz?c Bay, aa it appears to me as if someone ha 3 Muniered, perhaps nn.re than une. Mr G. V. Stewart, \u .common with most people, has many fault*, but want of hospitality, and snubbing liis gueste, are not aoiong them, and in justice to him and others, I would like to say, with your permission, triet t'icre was not a Katikati person on board the Manuwsi but wax under the impression thst Mr Whiting was assisting the captain or engineer, or both. Mr W. Tajilnr (r, member of the Road Board) and I collected the feei, while on the boat, and Mr Taylor ia yositive that Mr Whining said be belonged to the boat, but insisted'oii psying his fare, for what reason neither Mr Taylor nor I could understand. I put dawn his came as Mr Wbitchead, and he certainly never disclosed his.idectity, nor official pesi tien as a Borough Councillor, or representative of anything, so that I cannot see hew Mr Stewart could be awara of his presence, unless he knew him previously. Later on in tbe day I asked Mr "WhiUhead" (as I knew him) to code to the shelter shed and partake of ref reshmentsjjustbecause he appear ed to me to be an "orphan." He declined but even then did nut state his identity. Had be dune so, I would have brought him to Mr Stewort or vice vetsa ss I did several others whom I "found losing." To give colour to our first impressions Mr Whiting spent most of tbe day am] return trip en tbe boat, and dawn in the engine room at fiat, and it was only that nig 11 tbat Mr Whiting told me be whs a member of^the Tauranga Borough Council (though I tild Mr Stswart on 1 the 'phone 1 had leant that fact on the boat—3 mistake en my part). Even ts.en I thought he w-is as?i?t3r.t en the boat for tbe trip. 1 am really sorry for the seeming dis courtesy, Suit Mr Whiting through hi? overmodesty \a alone to blame, and although I don't pretend to take the slightest interest in public matters (I know the public) nevertheless,! r&tber pride mveeJf upon locking after the creature comforts of the individual. Apologising for trespassing so much on your spece. — I am, etc., <-. T. DUNNE. Secretary, Kattkati Read Board. Katikati, Sth February, 1918