CORRESPONDENCE.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17060, 3 February 1921, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE.

MOOT SOUTHERLY POST OFFICE. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE FBESS." Sir, —Two friends of mine, who havo recently returned from Stewart Island, claim- to have there visited the world's most southerly post office. On comparing South America and New Zealand, I find that South America seems to oxtend a- few hundred miles further,south than this country. Santa Cruz, in the Southern Argentine (further soutih than Stewart Island), claims a population of orer 4GOO people. Surely these few thousand people in America's "t'nrthosti south" are more entitled to claim t:> have the world's most southerly post office. Would you, Sir, or some of your readers, kindly enlighten us on this little point?— Yours, etc.. CAPE HORN. [Wo are afraid that Stewart Island has no claim to possess the most southerly post office in the world. The .latitude of the island is 4"deg south, but that of Santa appears about cOdeg, and of the Falklands from 51 to 52.30deg. The last-named are therefore from four to five and a half degrees further eoutih thaa Stewart Island.—Ed. "The Press. ,; ] REDUCTION IN PRICES—WHEN? TO THE EDITOR OF "THE TRESS/' Sir, —There "has been considerable talk lately about prices coming down, but, so far as I have been able to see, there is only the faintest sign of anything in ordinary demand having altered, "lour Wellington correspondent states that "it takes nearly twelve months for a drop to be felt" in New Zealand. Thatmay be, but why Should it be? When the markets went up at Home in any class of merchandise, the prices, without a moment's delay, went up. correspondingly in New Zealand, and when firms were prosecuted for alleged profiteering, they succeeded in sheltering themselves behind the plea that t'hey only charged what it would cost to replace. Now, wlien the prices come down in England, the merchants here, to be fair and logical, should only charge the replacing value. If they don't, it seemß - to me they only believe in the principle of "heads I win. and tails you lose." —Yours, etc., seeing is Relieving. THE TAX ON BICYCLES. TO IKE EDITOR OF "THE PRESS." Sir, —In writing to endorse tho opinions of "J.L.C.," I would also like to suggest that the amiable loafers who stand three-deep in the road,' chatting and impeding the traffic, be each, fined 2s 6d wrcn caught in the act. And that pirate of tho road, the motor-cyclist, should be prohibited from over riding through the main streets at all. —Yours, cto., TIN GEE-GEE. A TERRITORIAL^'GRIEVANCES." TO THE EDITOR OF "THE PRESS." Sir,—l should be pleased if you would give me space for the following grievances, which are shared by many as well as myself. My trouble is in regard to t'he tactics of tho Dof ence Department. When we go down to Redcliffs for our annual musketry practice, we are told that if we keep our tram tickets' the money will be refunded to us as soon as possible. Now, this is the second year I have been down to the range, but I havo not been, nor has anybody else been, yet repaid any money. The last occasion on which. I visited tlhe range was in November. I think it is about time someone moved) in the matter and had things righted. This is a special matter, which I hope wall, through your valuable paper, come under the notice of some members of Parliament. Anotihor grievance which I have is in regard to drill at night times. We are supposed to finish drill at nine o'clock, but we are often (nearly always) kept at it until, or nearly, half-past nine o'clock. —Yours, etc., R. A. PATTERSON - . WAIKARI POST OFFICE,. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE PRESS." ' Sir,—lt is very gratifying to know that the Government has at last a real live man in the Hon. Coates as Minister of Public Works and Postmaster-Gene. r.al. The residents of North Canterbury, in conjunction with Nelson, have had an unprecedented opportunity of placing before t)he Minister their very urgent needs. 1 was very pleased to see the energetic, manner in which the chairman of tho Waipara County Council made arrangements to meet Mr Coates, and in soliciting his support in some or the problems that still confront the Council. Many deputations attended at the Council office last Friday, and were promptly and courteously dealt with. I (have' since been wondering what was the matter with the Waikari residents, especially their representation on the Council, that' no appeal was made to the Minister in reference to the local post office. The post office (has been a source of great annoyance to t'ho public, as well as to the staff, who are working under great disadvantages; and as there is an amount of £2200 on the Estimates for a ne,w office, and a section already purchased, I felt sure that our newlyelected councillor, Mr Earl, would bring this important matter before the Minister. It is certainly an oversight on his part that he will find ihard to explain, as the electors are looking for something more thnn Waikari Flat roads in return for their confidence. _ Progressive as was the old Council, we were,led to expect much more from the new. —Yours, etc., SHAMROCK.