TROOP TRAIN’S ARRIVAL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21697, 26 April 1945, Page 6

TROOP TRAIN’S ARRIVAL

Sir,— Last Saturday night brought in special troop train of boys returning fiom overseas. Wo are all very pleased and thankful that they have been spared to ieturn, but was it quite necessary tor tne train to blow its whistle from fata nicy, road to the station? The night was clear and the sound carried, and, in view of the bur casualty list just released in Saturday s papers, and the fact that many of the boys will never return, could not the tram have been brought in quietly, and so spare the thoughts' and feel in-s of those bereaved and worried? Have celebrations, certainly, but have them at the station where those lucky relatives gather to welcome their own. the fact that some one belonpdnj? to you has •cone forever cuts very deeply ori these occasions, so could not the train have been brought in quietly?—“WAß WIDOW.

THE POLYCLINIC

Sir, —Along with “Polychamp” and others, I was bored with the chairman’s and Mr. Coleman’s lontf remarks on the polyclinic s critics. It looked like an “underhand chop at certain individuals, who of course were not named, .and who had no opportunity of reply. If I remember aright., the Chamber of Commerce registered some protest at the method of passing the job over to' a contractor without, tenders beinK called, and its objection, alonu with others, brought about worthwhile amendments. The chairman seems to be attacked with a “huildimr buy:, and revellefl in the thought of buildinp: expansions to the “sky’s, limit.” Would the chairman inform the public as to \vhat the capital cost of the hospital .stands at to-day, and what has been spent during.his period of ofiice before he starts the board on his. next period qf expansion: Also, how much above the lowest tenderer’s price has the polyclinic cost. —“ADDENDA.”

POVERTY BAY

Sir, —They say “the poor are always with us”, aiid may the name of Poverty Bay be too! I’m glad and proud that Mr. DeCosta (an oldtimer) stands to the liable,. You said it should be decided by the pioneers’ descendants (or words to that, effect) about the name being changed. We are heartily sick of hearing newcomers suggesting a change. Is that why they come here? If they don’t like the name they should keep cut. This splendid town they talk of—well, we made it. Our family has been six generations in New Zealand, four being in this Poverty Bay and two here at the tinie of the massacre (I was born a few. years later); then there is my family, and tlVci'r family. My father, has parents and grandparents settled at Dunrdin, then Napier, and then. Poverty Bay drew them, and, despite, the Maori, troubles, they stayed on. So, despite newcomers’ suggestions. the old name is going to stay. The great navigator gave it.and history is history and nothing cap alter fact. ( May this alien shoot be pruned oil for the last time.— “PIONEER.” ,