LETTERS IN BRIEF.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12282, 28 August 1905, Page 5

LETTERS IN BRIEF.

"A Parent," who has several childreni attending the Richmond School, writes with reference to the school-book question. Afteu: tho annual examination, he saj-s, it is an. expensive time if parents have to get all books at on© time.' Ho himself had bought what he could, afford, intending to get the rest next week; but he complains that one of his children was threatened with a thrashing unices he got tie- books.required by t-ho afternoon. "Because I am a poor man and.cannot afford to buy all the Iwoks at once my boy is to be punished." Our correspoaident thinks it is time the Government •• stepped in to provide the books or eke provided teachers with eomo common sense.

"It is quite tim't*," writes "E. Eiving," "that iramen combined to protect their oluldren from t-ho nave of corruption .which threatens to engulf the nation as, from long-self-indulgence, men aro becoming not only incapable but imbecile." Our correspondent supports this assertion by quoting a recent case of failing to convict in an alleged breach of the Licensing Act, the refusal of ParliameTJt in the first case to order an enquiry' into tiro voucher business, and its subsequent acquiescence in the '-appointment of a Civil, Servant to conduct the onquiry: The women of New Zealand axe urged to "rise in ■ their'ri./it-' eons indignation " .at the, election, and sweep awiiy every member who voted in dolianoo of justice. Our correspondent, it may be mentioned, is in error a-s to the positi<tn. That official's amenable onVy to Parliament, and not to tho Siinistry of the day. commenting upon the result of the appeal made by 3lr Boyle, at the Addington Yards on Wednesday last, on. behalf of Nurse- Ma«de's-consump-tive camp, remarks that the amount collected, £6 10s 6d, would probably renreseni lets than sixpence ench for. those present. "You couldn't have got the. same number of men in any other class of the community that could better afford to giye freely than the cotnvtryinen at Addington last Wedn«cday. Compare this contribution to an insstitution deserving the best assistance of all classes with the sum thai the public has given to ihe support of racing through the totalisatoT during ; tho past week, and it .certainly does not say much for tho gonerous nature of those who visited town on pleasure bent/ " "More-on" saya thero aro many reasons why it should be compulsory for all city inspectors to wear .either a aniform or badge of office, the former for preference.. It is no unoommon oocarrence for questionable characters to be pej-mitted on premises for the alleged purpose of "looking after the drains," whilst taking stock of the place and things for ulterior and .nefarious ends.