RED CROSS SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19015, 10 November 1923, Page 15

RED CROSS SOCIETY.

'jLne Red Cross hcknowledges. with best thanks, the following gifts received on behalf of soldier patients:—lVuit and cakes, Mr Sykes; magazines, Otago Women’s Club; illustrated papers, Mr Jacobs, Mr Hamer, and Mr Sutherland Ross; case apples, Rev. R. Fairmaid; books, Mr J. W. Ilonton, St. Clair. The continued interest of citizens in the welfare of the patients is much appreciated. OPOIIO TRAMWAY EXTENSION. ""n THE EDITOR Sir,—l have been out of town or should have written earlier to point out that your correspondent “Common Sense,” whom I identity as the writer of the letters under another pen-name, shows very little sense in continuously harping back upon the. clearly refuted estimate of a loss of £2OOO per annum to the ratepayers when the Opoho tramway extension is in operation. I have shown, a long time back, by estimates based on the City Corporation’s own published figures of costs under all headings—construction, average travelling, cost of and revenue from service, etc.—that absolutely no loss need be anticipated. My figures were never questioned. When I say “no loss’’ I am taking into consideration the extra revenue to bo derived on the other sections which the Opoho service will feed and the extra revenue which will be earned by all the other trading concerns operated by the corporation as a result of extra dwellings which will he built in sunny, high, and dry Opoho. I am not qualifying my claims in respect to (ho promised Opoho extension when I once more remark that not a single extension line pays in the sense that “Common Sense” demands in respect to Opoho. The Waipori electric plant has cost a lot of money, and it takes not only the tramways as a whole (much less a section), but also the general demand for electricity for power and lighting to warrant the expenditure. Mby ask for Opoho what was never asked in respect to any other extension line? “Common Sense’’ has evidently a grouch against Opoho. To mention the very name of the district is, to him, like holding a. red flag to a bull ! But it is too late now to demur. The Government permit is obtained, the money for the line is allocated, the rails were ordered many months ago, the poles are already laid on the sides of the route line, some £BOO has been spent in creating a suitable grade, portions of the read have pegs showing where the rails will be, and, finally, we have the council’s resolution, conveyed in a letter from the town clerk, that the Opoho tramway extension will ho the first extension undertaken. In conclusion, I marsay that the Opoho residents are satisfied that the councillors, as honourable representatives of the citizens, will carry out their promises quite undisturbed by such irresponsibles as “Common Sense.”—l am etc., ’ H. P. Harvet. Oamaru, November 8. Sin,—l was amazed to read the statement by Cr Douglas, chairman of the Tramways Committee, that the residents of Opoho were themselves responsible for the delay in putting the tramway extension in hand. I absolutely deny this statement. The whole of the residents, with the exception of perhaps three, are determined to have that tram. If letters were sent to Wellington against the tramway route they were tile effusions of a perspn whose standing in the city we all know. Why did Cr Douglas not tell the Opoho residents of these letters? We could then have had a chance to put our case before the authorities at Wellington. It is no use trying to throw dust in the eyes of the people. The residents ore now blamed for the nonfulfilment of a pledge given years ago. It is a small number of persons, not residents of Opoho, who, from motives a I self-in-terest, have been the means of the nonfulfilment of the council’s pledge. moy have got some of the council under their influence, and are no doubt responsible for those letters to Wellington. Now they are engineering a motor bus proposal, knowing that if it should break down they will have another chance. Now, Sir, if tile authorities at Wellington are going to be influenced by letters sent to them against the express opinion of the City Council and ratepayers there will be no certainty of the wishes of the ratepayers being carried out. Opoho knows that there are councillors who arc not in sympathy with the extension of the tramways to the suburb. Wo are being constantly told that wo wi re only being fooled. Well, a man can fool some 'women, but, thank goodness, not all. At very short notice 25 women ratepayers went to the meeting of the City Council last night. AVe wont there hoping to hoar from whom and where the objections would come to our tramway service, .After waiting till after 6 o’clock, when the “smoko” came on, we sent ur> our little nolo with the national flag asking the councillors to follow the Hag and all it stands for. Now wc have corno to the last ditch, hut have left our flag flying at the Mayor’s chair.—l am, etc., November 8. Isabeli, Hislop.