PUBLIC OPINION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8262, 26 October 1912, Page 6

PUBLIC OPINION

WELLINGTON HARBOR FERRIES

To the Editor "N.Z. Tunes.”

Sir, —In view of the newspaper reports of the meeting’ of the Eastbourne Borough Council, it would perhaps be well to explain the actual position. The company definitely abandoned negotiations with the council on 18th instant The council's motion, therefore, needs no further comment The stumbling block in the negotiations has been the failure of the parties to arrive at an understanding on the question of the relative positions of Day's Bay and Bona Bay regarding the order of arrival and departure of ferry boats. It had been agreed generally by both parties that the service to Day's Bay of the past twelve months should bo maintained. Any further modification of that service not agreed to would have to be a matter for arbitration. The Ferry Company was quite, firm on the matter of safeguarding the Day's Bay service. The council wished to nave the power to modify the order of departure and arrival (re between Day's Bay and Bona Bay aa they thonght fit. Hence the difference. When it is remembered that Day's Bay is not in the Eastbourne Borough, and that the service would be controlled by an assembly elected by the borough and subject to continual change, tho danger to the company and Day 0 Bay rcsiaents becomes manifest. r think that the newspaper # reports leave behind them tho impression that the company* or its solicitors, agreed to this modification, and that the company was seeking something new. Such was not the case.—l am, etc., E. G. F. ZOHBAB. Manager. Wellington, October 25th. THE CITY ORGANIST AND NEW APPOINTMENT To tho Editor “N.Z. Times.” Sir—Now that Mr Barnett has decided to go to Auckland, where doubtless his talents will bo more publicly appreciated. tho question, of a successor as organist will have to be faced by the ooun-my-mind, now is the chance for our local organists, and tho council might with advantage consider them. Whyapnoint ft permanent organist now? ithy not give each local organist who bo desires an opportunity to give a public performance, say, onco a month? inis would encourage them, and still keep * organ music in the public ear. I believe such a course was adopted at Sydney after the departure of Auguste Wiegand, tho late city organist, and I am of opinion that such a course would ho productive of much good and servo to give tho citizens an opportunity of hearing what we have in the way of organ talent in our midst. "Whatever is done in this important municipal venture the council can’t please everyone, and probably they won’t try to. But this scheme in the rough is worth their consideration and a trial, • irrespective of professional jealousy that may obtrude itself. —I am, etc., VELOXUB. Wellington, October 23rd. STINKING PISH OR X7NEMPLOYMENT To tho Editor “N.Z. Times." Sir, —On behalf of myself and fellow victims I would like to ventilate what wo consider au injustice through the columns of your paper. Sixteen of u« were working on tho reclamation work*at Picton for a considerable time, and doing our work in a proper manner, til) Thursday, when we were asked to go and cover up fish which had been washed up some four or five weeks ago and left to rot on tho beach till tho stench made tho air anything but nice. Now, sir, we are not going to say who is to blame for

tho fish on tho boooh, but what wp do say is that, whether it be the Picton councillors or the Government officials, it is a disgrace to manhood and a menace to tho community to allow such a shock J lag state of affairs to exist in "God’s Own Country" while we have Government Health Officers, a local sanitary inspector, and numerous other paid officials. Anyhow, on refusing to become a party to tho burying of stinking fish, eight of us wore discharged, three of whom are married men. Because theso men were not prepared to go and. work amongst rotten fish, and cany the stench home to their wives and families, they were sacked. '

Just fancy this official (a paid servant of the people) saying,'"Bury stinking fish or go off tho jobl’’ Stinking fish or unemployment means to a married man that he la at the mercy of tho employer. There is tho batcher, tho baker, tho grocer, and the landlord at him as soon as he is oat of work, till ho has to sell (Us labor at any old price I Anyhow, wo are not asking reinstatement or sympathy. Wo are just telling you something about those fish which were naoiied up in Picton, • and wo are wonuormg If this stinking fish act is a •Turk’’ of the Massey push to stacken hands, on public works without having nasty things said about them; or are they trying to get an estimate of bow tnt.y are ready to "scab" on their fellow workmen in Now Zealand, when they asked us to do work for as 6d per day lor which other men had been_ paid I6s per day just about a fortnight pro▼iously? X will have to stop now, as cue law of the country will not allow one to say or write all one thinks. I will leave your readers to judge for themselves what to call thoee who hold up stinking fish or unemployment to choose from. I am, etc.. Picton, October 21st, 1912.