LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13479, 4 May 1907, Page 8

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

AUCKLAND MUSICAL SOCIETIES

Sir, —The correspondence appearing in the Herald the last few days will, I hope, have the desired effect in arousing more enthusiasm in both'the Choral and Orchestral Societies' members, for unless each and all of them attend the rehearsals they cannot expect to attain to any degree of efficiency. And this leads me to speak of one thing I have noticed when attending the concerts and rehearsals of the Orchestral Society, the ununiformity of bowing, for unless this is remedied it cannot attain to that high standard aimed at. For in tin rendering of orchestral music this is absolutely necessary. "Fair Play.' in '.his morning's issue, is very unfair and sarcastic, for I fail to see in any of the correspondence appearing in the Herald any particular praise of the Orchestral Society, further than it has a. real live conductor, who tries to infuse* his enthusiasm and life into the players. "Fair Play's" expression that he suddenly remembered that the Exhibition orchestra would be here next week, shows plainly that his letter is meant for a cheap advertisement for them. As for a contest. one is purely amateur, and the other composed of selected musicians from Australia and New Zealand, who have been playing together now for some months, whereas the Orchestra! Society only has about two hours each week, and seldom then by more than two-thirds of the band. Moke Confidence. May 3. WANT OF SHELTER ON RANGITOTO. Sir,—Just a hint, to the authorities in charge. Since Rangitoto Island has become such a favourite spot for a day's outing the people who patronise it as such would hail with delight a few improvements in the way of shelter accommodation at the top of the mountain, say, where the reservoir is; even if the roof covering the reservoir was extended Bft or 10ft this would give ample shelter for two or three d«*.en people. Only those who have been there can imagine what, an interesting island it is and what an extensive and magnificent view there is to be had from the top; bur what is apt to mar the day's outing is a heavy storm to pass over it, as did last Sunday, and nowhere to shelter. I happened to bo one of the unfortunates who were tempted by the bright sunny, morning to take a trip across the harbour and ascend tho mountain, and would have spent a most enjoyable day had it not been for getting a wetting. Even if a small charge per head was made on those landing on the island there would soon be sufficient funds in hand to erect a shelter shed and also provide fuel for "boiling the hilly " or otherwise. It is only a matter of time when all the seats already, provided will bo burnt for firing. Ax Admirer of Auckland.

THE MAYORS ADDRESS.

Sir,—ln commenting on the fact that our city bas during the last municipal yearspent about half-a-million pounds sterling, you say, "What we may take particular pride in, and what we may especially thank our Mayor, and councillors for, is that the increased revenue and . the considerable amount of . loan money have been shrewdly expended, and that the city mar fairly consider itself to have had full value for its money.'' This statement, it seems to me, opens up a very debatable question. Let me take one item alone, our streets. There is not in Auckland to-day, outside perhaps of Queen-street, ono properly-constructed roadway, while , the surface and general condition of practically all of them are simply disgraceful. Custom-street is shocking, but Fort-street, with its stagnant pools of ammoniated sewage, is quite too bad for ordinary words to describe it. You say, "Anybody can. always make an apparently satisfactory municipal balance-sheet by the exceedingly , simple process of stopping expenditure, and letting a surplus accumulate in the bank, while roads decay and water famine threatens. We have made a start at various necessary municinal enterprises, without neglecting the roadmaking, which is exceedingly difficult in our hillv eitv." I have not compared the expenditure on roads for the last year with that of the preceding one, but whether it is greater or smaller the result is the same—our roads are "decaying," and very badlv.too. You speak trippingly of it being "sound finance, so long as our investments earn interest . and sinking fund. Generally, speaking, of course, this is obvious—if they do. Let us, however, take three trifling items which have recently been brought forward, namely, workers' homes. Cemetery Bridge, ffli)fJ...Tc;vn, <i jr»y.„..,.Th«se thre&f if carried out, would, in the opinion of competent judges, cost us £150,000. Thev are scheduled for £20,000. £30,000, and £80,000 respectively. Surely if is a, sanguine man who would expect a large return from these! You say, "We must, have faith in the future of Auckland, and build it in such a fashion that our work will be lasting, and will not be outgrown, and its cost wasted within a few years." Here I am entirely at one with you, and if the citizens of Auckland know how to profit by' your words of wisdom they will never build their Town Hall the way. it is proposed to. Undue haste in this matter will only result in the cost being "wasted within a few years." Let us double the expenditure, if necessary, but give us something to look at when we have spent our money. Let us not make the "stone church fund" error again. I shall never forget my disappointment when first I saw tho result of 30 years' thrift and wonderfully careful management. Do wo want our visitors and those who come after us to feel the same about what should be our finest municipal building? Is there a single city councillor .who would for an instant tolerate the idea of building for himself a triangular home abutting on the street? I think not. Lot us,' then, as you say, " have faith in the future of Auckland, and build it in such a fashion that our work will bo lasting, and will not. bo outgrown, and its cost wasted within a few years." lam credibly informed that prior to tho various sites being submitted to the ratepayers, no professional advice was sought as to the suitability or otherwise, of the allotments whereon it was proposed to place £60,000 of the ratepayers' money. This seems almost incredible. P. 'A. VAII.E. .