THE BATHING BEACH AT BRIGHTON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16285, 19 January 1915, Page 2

THE BATHING BEACH AT BRIGHTON.

Sib.—l wish to draw your attention to the annoyance caused to bathers here by owners of horses taking them into the bathing beach at Brighton. There is a email part of the beach used constantly for bathing, and here on Sunday no fewer than eight horses were ridden into the surf ajid exercised, much to the discomfort, and even danger, of the bathers, among whom were women and girls and many young children. It is to be wished these horses could be taken to some other part of the beach, and perhaps this letter will be a sufficient hint. In contrast to German " kuitur" the true Briton has always shown a kindly consideration for women and children, and I am sure the owners of these horses will show true British chivalry and in future see that the women and children can enjoy their bathing undis-turbed.—-I am, etc., January 18 Brighton Beach.

"REDFEDDISM": WHAT IS IT? Sib,— Considering that you frequently make use of the term "Redfeddism" in your leading articles having reference to the recent and coming election, I think it is due from you to devote an article to the expounding of your point of view as to the exact meaning of the term. "Redfeddism" implies a doctrine or set of definite principles with which, it is to bo presumed, you are familiar in every particular. Therefore, until you have defined your point of view, which you vaguely lump together in the term "Redfeddism," it is impossible intelligently to read your articles. The term is wholly the product of the press of this country, and since the press, as a whole, i 3 vehemently denouncing this implied doctrine, I submit that in the interest of public morality, common honesty, and ordinary decency the press should be unanimous in its conception of the doctrine (if there be anyj, and let the public into the secret of its discovery. If, on the other hand, the implied doctrine is purely a fisment of the imagination, and the term "Redfeddism " deliberately coined and frequently used to lead the public to believe is something that does not exist to create a fictitious public opinion, I consider it time that the public, through Parliament, overhauled the terms upon which the press has its existence and being in this dominion.

So far as I can discover, there arc about as many conceptions of what constitutes "Redfeddism" as there are individuals in fcho community, and strange to say, very few are exactly alike. Strange also is the fact that those who denounce most vehemently and often this alleged doctrine are people" who are interested in living upon the labour of others —that class of people who never in their lives contribute as much as a toothpick to the national wealth, the people who prate about the dignity of earning one's living by honest toil, and are quite willing that all the dignity of labour shall be earned by the other fellow.—l am, etc., " Red Fed. SOCIAL DEMOCRACY. Sir,—Your issue of Saturday morning contained an interesting article by "M.S." on "German Social Democracy and the War," and I congratulate your correspondent upon laying before us the position of offairs as he has apparently learned it from European literature. There is nothing surer to my mind, from the little I know regarding Social Democracy in Germany, where the S.D.P. vote is by far the largest vote polled, than that the Social Democratic Party in Germany, as in Now Zealand, is a patriotic body; patriot'c in the truest sense, and that is that it is fighting for the eventual freedom of the masses from industrial and political slavery. There are times when even true lovers of peace must take up arm*? to prevent being crushed by demons. —I am. etc., George S. Thomson. January 17. [The "demons" in this case are our Russian allies!— Ed. O.D.T.] ST. CLAIR BEACH. Sin, —As many are aware, the St. Clair bench opposite the Esplanade is now spoiled. The sand has been washed away, leaving the boulders exposed, and rendering the placeuseless, for surf bathing or walking on. This gives rise to the question: What has caused the washing away of the sand? Of course, this may ho a question for marine engineers. After thinking over what may be the explanation, I have come to the conclusion that it is the building of the concrete or solid front to the esplanade. What suggested this as the cause- is that from the baths to Beach street there is a stone wall, and in front of this the sand has long ago been washed away, leaving a boulder beach. We know that on the coast where a solid formation faces the sea we have boulder or shingle beaches, but where there is a loose front we have sand. If this reasoning is right it points to what the. result is likely to be to the beach where the road, faced with a rook Viall, is being made now from St.. Olair to St. Kilda. If this wall stands the force of the sea, then we may have a boulder beach from St. Clair to St. Kilda, which would Kpoil St. Clair as a seaside resort, very much to the regret of thousands, especially to the youngsters, who have used the beach. Perhaps someone with experience of marine engineering will give timely information before it is too late, and possiblv prevent an unwise expenditure of money. If the 6tone wall is not solid enough to resist the breakers, that would save the beach, but it would destroy the drive. —I am. etc.. St. Clair. January IS.