CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7844, 13 January 1887, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

THOSE WHO PELL IN THE WAR. TO THB EDITOB, Sib, —My attention has been drawn to a letter, to which is attached the nom da plume of "Ex-Volunteer," published ia your editioa of yesterday, having reference to the fund collected some time ago for the purpose of repairing the graves of those who fell In the Maori war; end, as my name is mentioned therein as the treasurer of this fund, I beg distinctly to state that "ExVolunteer" iff entirely wrong in his supposition that I was the treasurer; nor was I elected to the office. At no time did I occupy the position, nor did I receive the amount stated as collected for the fund.—l am, &c, O\tkk Mahox, Lieut.-Colonel. FINANCES OF THE COLON ST. TO THK KDITOH. Sib,—ln my opinion it is highly desirable that a free vent should be given to discussion on the subject of the finances of the colony, and the construction of public works with borrowed money; although lam well aware that such is not the belief of many of our colonial politicians and leading men. A continuation of our present Mite of expenditure must, I am firmly convinced, end in a catastrophe almost inconceivably disastrous, and it is only with a gennine dejire to place a barrier to the tide of borrowing, and to ex« pose a fallacious belief that we are retrenching that I drop you these few lines. It was only a few sessions ago that Parliament decided to retain the expenditure within certain limits. But what has been the result? Simply that a system of granting bonuses to companies has sprung up in ite place; all concerned being, apparently, oblivious of the fact that companies will not construct public works unless sufficient inducement is offered, in the shape of bonuses, to ensure a profit, and consequently that the loss on such construction is borne entirely by theGovernmeot, Whether such obliviousness is the result o£ that guilty weakness which says. "Do not let the matter be discussed," or want oi discernment, I am unable to say, But it ia much to be regretted that we have no colonial statesmen worthy of the name. On the one hand, we are represented by snch men as Sir Robert Stout, whose want of refinement and perception was well shown when they pestered Lord Derby and the Colonial Office with ill-disguised and impotent threats of diaseverment, on the Pacific question, and on the other by such men as Sir George Grey, who with polish and oultlvation enough, are borne upon the shoulders of those around them, and leak that depth and strength observable in /inch men as the late Lord Beaconsfield and Prince Bismarok. It is possible that such letters as mino may obtain a free discussion of the matter here; but if not, I for one will make a determined effort to get it ventilated in Great Britain. I am, &c, J. R. Mcßbth. Tuakau, Weikato, Jan. 11, 1887. AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Please allow me to throw out the following suggestions. The Choral Society of Auckland is without doubt the finest in New Zealand, but from two causes it is but little known by the great mass of the public, viz,, becauee of its members' concerts and the position of the Choral Hall. Many are the publio regrets that the concerts are not open, and many are the regrets that the hall is so small. My suggestions are, sir:—That the society give monthly open concerts at Is or 2s, as they may deem fit, the whole of the net proceeds to be banked in trust for the purpose of erecting a hall worthy of the society in some convenient position. Such a hall, capable of seating say 4000 persons, would be a great educator of the people, and the society might then do a noble work, instead of the fluence of their best effortß being comparatively lost, aa at present. Possibly a site on the Karangahape-road might be obtained for the purpose, that would be fairly convenient for the whole city and suburbs. Further, I would suggest that private donations and bequests be received for the same purpose, towards which I should be happy to give my mite. Commending the Jβ proposals to the society, to its energetic committee and in able conductor.—l am, &0., K.W. January 12, 1887. ANONYMOUS WRITING. TO THK EDITOR. Sir, —I cannot feel any sorrow that I have a doppelganger. The use of anonymous writiog is to conceal personality, not to cloak it. Id is the thing that is said that may be natter of importance; the sayer, as a rule, sof little worth.—l am, &c, Agiucola, Auckland, January 12, 1887.