PUBLIC OPINION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11190, 21 April 1922, Page 3

PUBLIC OPINION

HAWSER RAT-TRAP. WET NOT IN USE? ' (To the Editor *'N.Z. Times.**) Sir, —I notice in to-day’s “Times** a paragraph to the effect that the Minister for Public Health is asking his department to investigate "a new invention for preventing rats coming ashore,’* to “see if it is suitable for adoption in the rat-extermination campaign. “The new invention,** it instated, “is a trap, which it is claimed, will not only-pre-vent the rats running down the hawsers, but will also trap them in the attempt.” Nor, sir, this is by no means a new idea. Some eight or nine years ago Mr H. L. Worthington, of Wellington, brought before the Government a combined hawser-disc-rat-trap, which, it was proved, did effectively what it is claimed the new device will do. An Order-in-Council, moreover, was gazetted early in 1913 compelling the Use of this trap on all hawsers of all overseas vessels tied up to New Zealand wharves But, for some reason, which has never yet been satisfactorily explained, the order was shortly afterwards suspended, and has remained in suspense ever since. For my part, I have long wondered why the use of the hawser-rat trap was not at once made compulsory, as soon as ever the outbreak of bubonic plague in Australia wag notified. The Government cannot plead ignorance o-f Mr Worthington’s invention, as ever since the suspension of the order in 1913 it has been th© subject of practically a yearly petition to Parliament. Mr "Worthington, who is at present in Australia, interviewing the Federal Government and the various State Governments with regard to the adoption of his trap over there, writes me, under date of the 4th inst.: —‘‘Everythinc has gone on. so far satisfactorily. 1 have made a great alteration in the trap since I came here. I have reduced it in width, not in diameter; and it is now so made that a rat goes into one compartment going down the hawser and into another coming up the hawser, so as to detect whether the diseased rat comes from the shore or from the ©hip, which he' (Dr. Cumston, Commonwealth Director of Health) appears to admire very much.** A large and representative deputation to the Commonwealth Prime Minister ha* been arranged, and a demonstration of the trap is to •. be made. Is Australia to be allowed to get in first in regard to the adoption of this New Zealand invention? I WRATZ. “FIAT JUSTITLA’’ AND THE BULLER (To the Editor "N.Z. Times.”) Sir,—Your correspondent, “Fiat Justitia, ’ m his .letter of March 7th, attempds to j,notify some of hie statements which I questioned. His reply is eo weak that it is hardly .yrorth answering, but he has given my league an excellent opportunity of letting your readers know* the true facts of the case. * He again asserts that the continuation of the Nelson-Glenhope line will not open up any more country than is at present opened up, and by implication questions my statement that fertile valleys'extend' in every direction from. Murchison. According to the evidence given by Mr J. Brown* chairman of the Murchison County Council, before the Industries Committee in 1919, “tiio county is 100 miles across; t population, will not come unless there is facility for travel andfor getting our products out.** This was the considered opinion of a resident of the district, and one who wa a a member of the Nelson Land Board. The valleys to which I referred are Matakitaki, Matiri, Flat, Ariki, Marcia. Although I have replied to the criticism of this line, I would like to- make it dear that this line is not the line known as the Buller Gorge line, the early completion of which is urged by my league. "Fiat Justitia” asks:. “Will my kindly critio inform me where in tho 18 miles necessary to complete' the Bailor Gorge line, are the coal and/timberTesources?” In reply, I refer him to the geological survey Bulletin No. 18, which describes the Buller Gorge coalfield, the local estimate of coal in this area being 70 million tons. The timber resources are apparent to the naked eye, ae the forest, has been untouched by man. At the present time two mills are in operation near Inangahua Junction. The timber is carted to the railway and sent to Greymouth for shipment, a distance of about 70 miles. If the Gorge line were completed the railway charges would be much less, as the distance to Westport is about 25 miles. I trust that "-Fiat Justitia” will make sure of his facts before he again rushes into print. He knows aibeolutelv nothing about this district, and ylt ho has the audacity to condemn -it. When his mistakes are pointed out ho has not the manliness to apologise, but continues to bolster uo his unhappy case. F. B. WOOD, Hon. Secretary Buller Progress League. Westport, March 16th.

SUBURBAN ELECTORS' ASSOCIATIONS. (To the Editor "N.Z, Times.”) Sir,—ln our Empire City are a number of suburban associations whose primary object is to assist in the progress of our city. Having been a member of two of these associations, and attending many of their joint conferences, I venture the opinion that the result of their deliberations shouldi be sought for by the city engineer, the Mayor, rfnd the councillors. On the contrary, and during the time Mayor Luke occupied office until the present time, these associations have been snubbed and discouraged whenever they present the civic spirit asked for (but not really wanted) by our city grandfathers. In my humble opinion the city councillors in their deliberations should, now that Wellington is increasing its boundaries, seek the assistance of an executive from the combined electors’ associations. Snch an executive from these suburban parliaments would undoubtedly strengthen the present body of councillors. The civic spirit is a necessity to prevent stagnation and encourage progress, and these lively associations, with their monthly meetings, are a bright spot in our municipal affairs. I do not wish to decry the Civic League, but give me the suburban electors' associations with 150 good citizens meeting every month of the fear, as against an executive meeting of three or four of the Civic League in the centre of the city and more concerned with politics. For years past the epledilld. enthusiasm of our suburban electors in their worthy efforts on behalf of our neglected and badly-managed city has resulted in snubs from the Lord High Executioner downwards. We have been patient, sir, and watchful, and Mr Ludwig’s straightforward criticism of the city engineer and City Council will receive nearly endorsement. MORTON DAM. PAINTINGS LATELY DISCOVERED IN ROME. (To the Editor “N.Z. Times.”) Sir, —Would the possession of still oarlier examples add to our practical religion ? Down the long centuries many painters have provided ns with a common hind of the spiritual, as it seemed to them, impersonated in our Lord. The some in a modified sense is also true with regard to many of the Apostles. To that fund we can, most of ns, through some channel cue other, have access. SIGMA.