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Otago Daily Times, Issue 18515, 28 March 1922, Page 9

THE CARGIXrI, AND DR. STUART MONUMENTS. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—lt is a good sign that to see Dr Fulton takes up the cudgels on behalf of the Cargill Monument, and that he has the courage to sign his name and stand by hiß opinions. Most of our citizens who express their opinions in the press do so under To most people this means lack of moral courage, and hence their opinions are more or less valueless. The Cargill Monument in its present condition, associations, and surroundings is nothing short of a scandal to Dunedin. This monument was erected by the citizens as a loving tribute to one who nobly played his part in the early settlement of the province, when people do such loving deedß it must be very galling to them to see their gift turned to such ignoble and base purposes. The monument is somewhat similar to a tombstone, and how would any one of us like to see the tombstones of our relatives or friends desecrated in such a manner? Custom Hous-s Square cannot be made private, and if some day it should be raked with: shot and ahell what would become of the monument? It is a central spot, and well adapted as a' starting point, for small gatherings of the citizens. Threefore the only Bolution is to remove the monument to some spot leas public and void of unpleasant surroundings. The very same arguments apply to the statue of Dr Stuart. The tramway balloon loop will be a bare, cold, miserable spot, shunned by most people, and totally unsuited to the genial character of the •worthy divine. Then, too, his back will be towards the tracious and Royal lady in the Queen's Gardens. Not only that, but if Crawford street is given its full width into High"' street, the' space for the monument will be- insignificant. Other cities both in the overseas dominions and in the Old "World, are beginning to. realise, the fact that all -public monuments should be kept off etieet lines. Fortunately, we have abundance of suitable space in our public Gnrdents, and thither ail our monuments should be removed.—l am, etc., Gordon Macdonald. UNEMPLOYMENT- AND THE SOUTHERN RESERVOIR. TO THE EDITOB. Sir,—Why is it that married men. some of whom have families, are being: paid off the Southern Reservoir job. while single lnen are kept on? Times ure hard enough for a man with a family to support, white th«> coming winter docs not hold much promise. Surely it, is incumbent, on the corporation to lead the way in trying to alleviate suffering caused through married men being unable to obtain wor.k. The cost of the extension of the reservoir will have to be borne by the ratepayers who are asked to contribute to unemployment list?, relief funds, etc. A few days 'ago Ensign Coombs asked for public help to provide food, clothing, etc.. *rr some unfortunates who were badly ir. want, and yet the married man gets pu- off while boys and single men are kept on. Was it boys and single men who appealed to Ensign Coomb* for help? Can anyone answer me the question, W T hy is preference not given to married men?—-I am, etc.,' March 27. Observes. STRADIVARIUS VIOLINS. TO ?HZ EDITOB. Sir, —In Saturday's issue I noticed a letter signed by the Rev. H. 0. P'enton with reference to Stradivarius violins. I have a violin bearing the same maker and date as that mentioned by Mr Fenton, Together with a device containing the initials "A.S." ■within a circle. Anyone interested can seo it at my residence at Portobello.—l am, etc., John S. Wiluams. March 27. Sib,—ln Saturday's issue you had a note to the effect that an Inyereargij] resident had a Stradivarius violin dated 1736. I have one labelled "Stradivarius Cremonenfis faciebat anno, 1702," which I have had in my possession for 34 years.—l am, etc., E. -Hetherington. Saddle Hill. March 27. [This correspondence is closed.—Ed. O.D.T.]'-