CORRESPONDENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 October 1928, Page 10

CORRESPONDENCE

WHITEBAITERS

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Will you please spare a few -lines to ventilate a grievance which has become annual, that of allowing the uncrowned “Whitebait King of Greymouth” to monopolise the best “possie” on the waterfront. Some time ago it was understood the Harbour Board authorities were taking action to see that no fixtures of any kind were allowed along the waterfront, the concrete wall, or under the wharf, but again this season the ‘king” has taken possession of the best site at the junction of the wharf and concrete wall, and no one else has a possible chance of getting it, whilst the water is too cold to run the risk of an immersion-which would be sure to follow any attempt at seizing it, and it is reported that coloured scrim has also been fastened under the wharf. Whitebait seem to be getting scarcer every year, and it is distinctly unfair for any one man .year by year practically to commandeer this position. It would be a fair thing for the Harbour Board to remove all such stands and give every one the right to fish under equal conditions. Just at this time, with so much unemployed in our midst, a “feed” of whitebait occasionally would be welcomed by many poor people, who cannot afford to pay high prices for the delicacy, and who would no doubt be glad of the opportunity of catching some for themselves if given the opportunity. Yesterday the river bank was lined with whitebaiters, a fair sprinkling of mothers being amongst them, but whereas the “king” was catching at every dip of the net, many in the higher reaches of the river had to be content with their “sixes,” and many went home empty-handed. Hoping some abler pen than mine will take the matter up, and that every one will be allowed a square deal, I remain, yours etc., — FIFTY-FIFTY.

UNION JACK, OR RED FLAG?

(To the Editor.)

Sir—According to this morning’s “Argus,” Mr. J. O’Brien, the would-be Membei’ for Westland, Was on the platform and a speaker for Saturday’s meeting of “Unemployed.” The Communists seemed to have a big say, and anyhow the last four lines of the report says the Red Flag was also sung by a number of demonstrators. Was Mr. O’Brien among the number? Anyhow no man can act square to both of these flags at the same time —to which is it to be? Surely we have not got so far down that we are going to let red-flaggers, or red-raggers, run the country. Yours, etc., UNION JACK. i- —— WANDERING CATTLE. (To the Editor.) Sir, —May I ask through, your paper how much longer the menace of wandering cattle is going to be allowed between Greymouth and Kumara. IWhat is the County Ranger doing? Does he close his eyes when driving along the roads and passing cattle in broad daylight, leave alone night time? Even the mail bus has to pull up very suddenly at times to avoid an accident. Previous complaints Giave been made, but of no avail, and if a beast gets killed no one owns it. If the County Ranger cannot stQp the nuisance, then there should be a ranger appointed to patrol the roads and take anything he comes across without fear or favour. Trusting, Sir, ( that something will shortly be done in this direction for the benefit of the .travelling public as well as for the community at large, arid thus render a valuable service to a long-suffering community. —Yoflrs, etc RATEPAYER. . ROAD HOGS (To the Editor.) Sir, —As a class, I have found that West Coast motorists compare favourably, so far as the courtesies of the road are concerned, with those in other parts of the Dominion; but there are exceptions. While en route from Reefton to. Greymouth yesterday, I met several of the said exceptions. These road hogs evidently believe that it is infra dig to give the other fellow half of the road when passing him, with the result that, on one occasion, I was practically forced off the road, one wheel being in the ditch, and a capsize was averted only by the narrowest of margins. I trust that the road hog referred to derived some satisfaction from his lack of manners. Had I. been able to make his personal acquaintance, however, the satisfaction would have been mine.—Yours, MOTORIST.