LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16823, 13 April 1918, Page 10

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

EVIDENCE IN AN APPEAL; : Sir,Tho report published to-day of the appeal by George Daw, before the First Auckland Military Service Board, states that lie said his mother and sisters weremilking 25 cows. The number of cows they aro milking is 60, which, I think, puts a different face on the case. C. A. Fawcett. Clcvedon, April 11. THE DROWNING TRAGEDY. Sir,Tho news of tho recent sad drowning tragedy in Auckland Harbour must surely arouse our politicians to insist upon it being made compulsory for all children passing through the State schools to learn to swim. New Zealand is gifted with on abundance of facilities for tho learning of swimming, while Nature has supplied us all with the means of learning, yet, astounding as it may seem, only a comparatively small proportion of tho whole community could save themselves in a fathom's depth of water. G.G.C. ( Waiuku, April 8, 1918.

SHIPPING SPACE. Sir, —I note the Heiuld bus considered the question of shipping apace of sufficient importance to publish a Bpocial article in addition to interviewing Union Company representatives to ascertain their views. Perhaps these Union Company reprcsentatives, who stated that " in the matter of cargoes the first consideration was coal," might be asked' if it wsa a fact that the Monowai, early in February, discharged on the Dunedin wharves 260 empty beer casks and reloaded 600 full casks for Auckland, and, in consequence, tho Lyttcllon cargo was all shut out! I have heard wh sky called a cinder, and intoxicants called ink, but have never heard beer called coal before. As a war shipping economy I would suggest if siflicient Dunedin beer cannot be Drought on the decks of the vessels the patriotic Auckland people should be content to drink the Auckland brew. Sojabe Deal. Sir,—lt appears to me that the Government could help, if it chose, tho scarcity of produce and high prices by using the Government steamers to bring supplies up from Dunedin, Oamaru, Timaru and Lyttelton, and thus help to relieve the pressure on other shipping. Under the circumstances beer from the South should be shut out, as wo have plenty locally. (J. SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

Sir,l was amazed to lind that any remarks of mine at the King's College function on Tuesday last could be construed into a disparagement of the Grammar School. In common with other citizens of Auckland, 1 have the greatest admiration for the scholastic achievements of its boys, who have created a record and tradition unrivalled in tho Dominion. This is so widely known to need no comment. Still, I stand to every word I spoke. For the'fiict remains that Auckland has no _ school of the particular typo of Christ's Co' lego and Wanganui, which ore distinguished from our own Grammar School by two marks—they are both boarding schools and both on a religious foundation. The two types are quite ('is tinct, they aro not comparable, are not in conflict, but are surety complementary, .hist as in Christchurcii there is room for both (lie High School and the College, so in Auckland there is room for both the Grammar and King's. I regret the misunderstanding. Some of my closest friends, some of my fellow-members on King's board, men for whom I have the highest regard and esteem, are old Grammar School boys. They could not misunderstand my attitude. But others may, which is my reason for troubling you 'to jive publicity to this explanation. V. J. Lajlvkh, Vice-Chairman King's College Board of Governors.