LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18662, 19 March 1924, Page 5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A TEST OF GOLD. Sir, You arts publishing daily instalments of a good story by a gifted writer, Louis Tracy. At the close of the chapter published on Monday the statement appeared that a certain half-crown had successfully withstood the nitric acid test. The implication, of course, is that the Coin was silver, and not base metal. Even Homer sometimes nods. It is gold that withstands the nitric acid tests. That acid attacks silvera fact that anyone can verify by experiment. Aqua Kegia. THE MOSQUITO MENACE. Sir, —I was in Auckland during the summers of 1859-60 and I don't remember being; then troubled by mosquitoes. In 1862-63 I was residing on the Waikato River, just about two miles below Mercer, where there were myriads of mosquitoes. 1 then had occasion to visit Auckland. In my hotel bedroom there were elaborate mosquito curtains. I saw just a few odd mosquitoes on the ceiling and did not bother to adjust the curtains. After the light was extinguished trouble begq-n. I had no matches to light, the candle and adjust the curtains, and I had little or no sleep. In the morning my face was blotched and blistered and my eyes bunged up. It was rumoured that this new breed of mosquitoes came from India with the ship that brought the 12th Regiment to Auckland. Andrew Kay. Kihikihi, Mar. 17, 1924. Sir,—Allow me space in your columns to inform "Put All, Take All " that the "lord of the dustcart is very often a far more honourable and a much better citizen than the dirty housewife who expects him to carry from her {jome all kinds of filth. If the tins are ke® dry, a thing that any clean housewife can«tlo, "that is all that" is required. Those concerned wit'h the garbage cart are only too willing to oblige everyone if they snow a little consideration as regards dry tins. The cart would never get its round finished if it took all sorts and sizes of tins, etc., from every house. Two cubic feet is the limited space for each householder. If our council would only put into force their bylaws there would not be so much abuse from those ignorant of it. Clean Tin. Sir, —There has been a good deal of discussion about the menace to public health on account of the house-fly and mosquito, and yet, in the face of it all, the City (Council is allowing stables to be erected" in "the middle of a settled population in Cheshire Street, Parnell. There is no other means equal to stable manure for producing flies— matter with what care the stables are conducted. It is quite evident that none of the city councillors are living In this vicinity. I wonder how many of them would like stables dumped alongside their dwellings! Why should the residents of this locality have this nuisance thrust upon them, and their property depreciated in value, through no fault, of their own Is this one of the benefits of joining the city ? I think it it high time the City Council looked into the matter. " Property-Holder. THE RUNANCA INCIDENT. | "'Sir,—The account given by the j Herald's Greymouth correspondent of i the disloyalty at the Roman Catholic Convent School at Runanga, also the same correspondent's report in Monday's issue of the very* Same explanation or excuses made by those responsible, make very interesting reading. All ; loyal and true citizens muss , heartily agree with your editorial remarks on the incident, and also on the supposed, explanation by the sisters. One cannot but be impressed with the idea that there i 6 some bad influence behind, or the cause of, this incident. This and some other incidents in connection with the late Redwood jubilee celebrations compel seriously-thinking people to somewhat i doubt the attitude of the Roman Catholic Church as regards loyalty to the Grown. Britisher.

Sir,— admire the loyal and dignified statement made by our Governor over the Itunanga incident, and the grand example of loyalty he has set for those of us who claim to be true British subjects. How could His Excellency officiate, at a ceremony where such disloyalty would be displayed? As for the sisters cisiiming to be ignorant of the fact that it would be an offence to omit the singing of the National Anfchem, that is beyond tolerance, and does not speak much for their training. Their apology from beginning to end is a vary lame one. The very idea of inferring that the National Anthem was beyond the grasp of the children! If they could learn to sing " God Defend New v Zealand," which. is made up of live verses, each containing eight lines, they could have learned at least one verse of God Save the King." This, incident is clear proof of how much loyalty is taught in these Roman Catholic institutions.: Is . it any wonder that there is bo much lawlessness and unrest in certain parts of -the British Empire. Citizens who wish to have their children well trained should send them to schools where loyalty to King and Empire is taught. Loyal Subject. "UNWANTED" SUMMER PETS. Sir—The Herald's support of the campaign which has lately been raised in connection with the welfare of animals is most valuable, and cannot fail to lead to good results. I should like . to make " an appeal, through your columns, on behalf of the poor " unwanteds," which at this time of the year are being cast adrift by summer campers returning to their homes in town. They played with these poor little creatures on an idle holiday, and now it is heart-breaking to see such a number of stray cats and dogs starving here, and being kicked from one : place to another. For several months past, I have fed about six cats. Yesterday morning, during a big storm, I saw a poor mother cat carrying her kittens to shelter. She had one m her mouth which was dead, and she, herself, was so starved and thin she could hardly walk. Last week someone poisoned a kitten, and it was in terrible agony for hours before it died. Surely, if people wish to destroy these unfortunate animals, they might do it in a humane wav and not starve and torture them to death. Winter is coming, and. many poor strays will starve to death, as these summer cottages are all empty . then. Through your coluftms, I wish now to appeal to all those who have no use for their summer pets, to destroy them humanely, and not leave them to be racked by the panes of hunger, without home or hiding place, in the bitter winter .weather. E.P. Kohimarama-