LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12910, 5 July 1905, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

WEATHER FORECASTING. Sir,-—I notice certain letters on the above based upon one from Captain Hugh Stewart' who believes that the conjunctions of the moon with the. planets produce rain-showers IE Captain Stewart will carefully tabulate the days on which rain fell at a given locality for a series of years (say, 19) an j also all the conjunctions of the moon' with the planets for that period, as given in the Nautical Almanac, noting all the occasion, on which rain-showers at that place did or did not coincide with a conjunction ha will have a sound basis for a just inference But, as the moon forms such conjunction* about seven days in each month, Canton Stewart will find that in winter the rainy days may bo much more frequent than seven; while in summer there may he tmn«! at all. For this and other reasons I think a strict examination would millfy tfi captain's theory; in testiiig which it would bo absolutely necessary to- keen strictly tn one locality, as the weather differs over * larger area. I may add that any astronomer who undertook such an investigation « Captain Stewart proposes, would need vr>™ much better pnma-facio evidence than W yet been brought forward, before ri v ; n ™ so much labour as the inquiry would entail Nor does the astronomer need to be special r sympathetic to the subject;' he need on * bo unbiassed, and open to conviction on thn evidence which may be forthcoming Final ]y> let it bo noted that the occasions when there are showers, but no conjunction and when there are conjunctions but no showers are every whit as valuable to an inquire as those -when the showers and the con junctions coincide; for, without the former* the latter have little value as evidence either wa J- 00 S. Stuart. June 28.

STATE INSURANCE. Sir,—l think your correspondent "P Bono Publico," in your issue of the 22rd inst., must ha a blind follower of Seddon to justify the mean action of the Govern mont Advances to Settlers Office to coerce settlers to do their business with that office I would like to know where tho liberty of the subject comes in under such unworthy action on the part of our boasted Liberal • Government I presume the next to receive similar notices sent to those who havo had to place mortgages in the Government's hands will bo all who are tenants to Government under the lease hold system of landlordism. Then will foil low all having any emolument from Government, for any contemptible action of thai above kind will evidently he taken to bring-' grist to the Government when set grinding Your correspondent asserts it is a usual thing for a mortgagee to insist on an office' of his naming. Now, I, as'agent for an important company, have accepted risks from owners of property that were mortgaged and such, a suggestion has never come before mo in all the many years I have been connected with the office in question ' I do hope some at least of those who have received advances from the Government will show their backbone, and not allow, themselves to be made slaves of because they have had to borrow a bit of Government money, but be determined to show their liberty , of action, for all they have to .do is to insure in some reputable insurance office—and I can hardly call the State one if such means have to.be taken to bolster it up. Hey wood Crispe, A NEW TOURIST ROUTE IN THE . NORTH. ' Sir,—ln your issue of the 14th ult. appeared a letter signed by "Globetrotter" referring to the overland route from here to Hokianga via Kaihu and Taheke, and as I have travelled by that road several times I can heartily endorse his statement,' One ' important matter from a tourist's, or, in fact, any traveller's, point of view he omit, ted to refer to was the Waima kauri bush. This is said to be the finest and most compact lot of kauri timber to be seen in the ' Auckland province. Adjoining this bush, which is about one hour's drive from Kaihu, is the Waima kauri domain, and in it, I believe, the largest standing green kauri in the North is to be seen, its girth measure- ■' ment being 48ft. The whole lot of the timber is of very easy access, being situate'" -- on the main road; along which the ooac!> travels, and is well worth seeing. With.reference to the latter portion of his letter, in connection with postal communication, Auckland to Hokianga, via Dargavillo and . , Kaih;i, his statements are correct. ' An endeavour has been made here to get the postal authorities to. establish a' weekly overland mail as above, leaving here, on Friday morning's trains at seven o'clock. Unfortunately, however, the officials did not approve of the new service. If it were established it would be of immense value to the great majority of Hokianga residents, and, such be* .; ing the oa.se, surely it is worth the whila of the members of Parliament representing the two electorates interested, as well as tho looal bodies in the two districts, to use ever? endeavour to get the overland mail established. Communication. Dargaville, June 23.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. Anti-Red Taps, Te Awamutu— the reading V> ; room is reserved for subscribers, then the officials arc within their rights; but their action seems' somewhat churlish.