"THE AUCKLAND YOUTH."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11148, 22 August 1899, Page 3

"THE AUCKLAND YOUTH."

TO THE EDITOB. « °' r ~. rn writing* these lines in defence of Auckland youth" (whom I consider were unmercifully wronged by " Observer," in your issue of Saturday last), my object is in no way to talk slightingly of " the Auckanil girl, but to try and show the youth as IS ' > ~ him, as a whole, by " Observer s" youthful acquaintances, is to me a. crying shame, as well as being rather narrowminded. I doubt if there is one in our banks merchants, and brokers' offices who is tho despicable cad drawn by " Observer." I shall not say that " the Auckland youth" does not try to ape the man that would place him far m advance of any race of youths in existence. This would be equally stupid, if not as unjust, as 1 Observer's" representation. On no such pinnacle shall I place him, but just on a par with the youths of other places. \i ell, knowing the large circulation of your paper, not only in New Zealand, but in foreign lands, it gave me (as it must have given countless other Auckland youths) great pain to think anyone had formed such a low opinion of us to blazon these remarks before the world. A few months ago, when it was feared that a serious war would break out in Samoa, our battalion of volunteers, which is composed almost entirely of youths, were willing, almost to a man, to embark for active service. All were told of the seriousness of the undertaking, which, perhaps, was hardly necessary. If " the Auckland youth" was the miserable specimen represented by " Observer," would" they have kept up their cheerfulness, and strong manly resolve, as I found they did even when it was thought almost certain that they would gotheir luggage had left the camp, and the officers' swords were being ground? "Observer" perhaps failed to notice all this, though everyone else did. If we were attacked to-morrow, the Auckland youth would be found to die for his country as willingly as any have done before. " Observer" might then have a. show of seeing some of their good points, be sorry for his accusations, and accept protection. Then, as for uiie youths who go yachting and those who attend balls, well, it is quite natural for the former to abandon their prim ways a bit, and how nice it is to think tlioy all try to got to church on Sunday night. As for the balls, " Observer's" remarks are not short of insulting. The Auckland youths are well known to bo great dancers, simply because there are few men to get, and, what is more, go into it heart and soul, too. "Observer" should take a walk on Saturday afternoon to Potter's Paddock, tho Domain, and other places, where tlio youths are engaged in their different games, along with someone who can observe, and he will see that the Auckland youth is not such a dwarf after all.— am, etc., JuVENI. Auckland, August 21, 1899.