RANFURLY v. NASEBY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19259, 25 August 1924, Page 8

RANFURLY v. NASEBY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Another faint, feeble beating of the much-dilapidated Naseby drum! The druro-mer-boy is evidently keeping time to what seems to be his own favourite tune of "Centrality,” albeit il was not at the first, much to Ida taste. His second favourite, beseems, is “Hand Off, Banfurly!” Or shall I liken this humble drummer to a modem Casablanca, who still stands bravely on the sinking ship, prepared to go down with it, all colours flying ? Most of what your correspondent has got to say is so much vain beating of the air. When we speak of our leading '‘centres,’’ we do not mean that these arc situated in the centre of their respective provinces, but that they arc the leading centres of activity and industry. As I said in a previous letter, “Common Sense,” and those who think with him seem to have a mental squint, a certain mental obfuscation on this subject. Ranfurly is not only approximately the geographical centre of the Maniototo County, ■ but is, as one may put it, tho centre of economic gravity—a vastly more important matter. Naseby, a mere backwash, eccentrically placed, well removed from the main artery of Central Otago civilisation, hidden away under cover of the grim lonely slopes of Mount Ida, is, of course, hopelessly out of the reckoning. It has for long been forseen that the present trend of things was inevitable. Already the two hanks nave been removed and established here, and either in the immediate nr near future, the other public buildings must follow suit. Your correspondent is sadly deluded if he thinks for one moment that the ratepayers of Maniototo are going to continue much longer paying rates for a hospital that is placed to suit the convenience of a tew people in Naseby, more especially so, when, as I have been reminded, there is a sum of some £6OOO in toto immediate!; available for the erection of a new ins;i .utioi., without tapping the pockets of th» ratepayers one whit, and also, when a fare amount cf money would in tho very near future have to be expended in any ease to make the present hospital shipshape. The effect of the mention of this bequest on your correspondent has been as I anticipated. It is anathema to him—a blistering bunch of nettles; a hot potato, to be dropped at once. The supremo cnarm of all human documents, epistolary or otherwise, lies in the revealing touches of autobiography scattered here and there; and here is a specimen of a rich order. This backbiock scribbler naively makes confession thuswise: (1) That he has a somewhat ungovernable temper; (2) that he is a plain, blunt man; (3) that he has a tendency to be unduly suspicious and impute unworthy motives to others. As to No. 1. I need make no comment, save that I am nonplussed as to the cause of his wrath, except on the assumption that this argument knocks the bottom altogether out of his case. That he is a plain blunt man, he who runs may read. I should advise him not to enter the lists of controversy again without first seeing to it that he, gets accoutred with sharper weapons and wit a; as to the third, I am surprised beyond measure that a dignified Nasebyite with such a strong case should find it necessary to sink so low as even to harbour for a moment thoughts so “ugly and venomous.” In conclusion, 1 may eay that the committee that was entrusted by the wise and worthy senators who exercise rule over us in things civic with the work of going fully into the question of removal and reporting thereon, has, in accordance with general expectation, made an emphatic recommendation in support of the proposal. This awaits the sea! of homologation by our County Council as a whole and final confirmation by a plebisite of the ratepayers before the proposal can receive practical effect. So 1 would say to your correspondent and to all Nasebyitea, “Trust the people and keep your powder dry.” Family brawls are always unseemly; petty jealously and childish ill-well look unsavoury to outsiders, and makes for dispeace. Despite all the vitriol and venom spilt on tho streets of Naseby of late, I hop© the people of the two’towns “shall brithers be for a’ that,” and, as in the olden days, live together harraonously as becometh neighbours and kinsfolk. Let Naecby take heart of hope. There is no question that it has contributed in the past, and in no small measure, to the general prosperity of the province, and that its history from the commencement has been a distinctly creditable one. “Though much is taken, much remains.” Moreover, it is a braw and quaint wee place. We are alt proud of it as ihe little old Dowager-Queen City of the Plain. Although it is gradually being deflowered, there is nothing to hinder it gaining a high reputation as a notable health Mecca, and more especially from certain special attractions, as a winter health resort of undoubted value.—l am, etc., A Banfurly Well-Wisher. Sir, —It is amusing to see the way in which “Common Sense” keeps dancing to the piping of a “Banfurly Well-wisher.” As befits tho place of his habitation, however, his dancing sorely lacks the quality of youthful sprightlinesa. “Banfurly Well-wisher” has evidently a keen sense of humour. 1 was amused by tho way in which he made his subject dance with increased vigour l-y a deliberate slight perversion of one of his statements. The endeavour of “Common Sense” to piove that Naseby, hidden away in a hole well off from the stream of population and human activity, is very central, or as central as Banfurly, at least, is too amusing for words. "Common Sense” seems a kindly humanitarian; and is making a desperate effort to keep the spark of life alight in his aged foster-mother, but I am afraid no amount of thyroid gland implantation- will rejuvenate the dying organism. He suggests the planting of X-Rays in the place as a last resort, but I have always been taught to believe that it is no use pouring “now wine into old bottles.” How different an atmosphere when one turns from this place of decay to the young and healthy Banfurly. It is growing rapidly for a back-block townslxip; trade is brisk, and buidings are continually going up. “ Common Sense ” closes up like a limpet very suddenly and unexpectedly. Tho bare mention of the B’enton bequest, by his own admission, rouses a bad, black temper within and—hoy, presto, hia case apparently shrivels into atoms. —I am, etc., A Maniototo Well-wisher. LONDON UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS, ro the editor. Sir,—While Professor Adams is in Dunedin why not ask him to use his influence to get the London University degree examinations held annually in Dunedin. These examinations arc open to students without the expense of attending the University classes. The examination tee is all that has to be paid, and tho degrees are second to none in tho world, and the possessor of one would secure employment as a teacher, clergyman, lawyer, otc., in any Englishspeaking country. Many persons high up in tho learned world have no other degrees. The degree recognises the right of the lonely, self-taught student in the back-blocks to recognition. A London degree opens the way to promotion to the poor student, and wc have nothing in New Zealand corresponding to it. An earnest student at Mount Cook could, with nothing but the aid of the excelled b inks, published solely for the use of Lot. '-’ v-greo students, pass with -credit and his degrees, provided he had passed the Condon matriculation examinations, for which also text books arepublished that are widely used in England by self-taught students. The' London matriculation examination has been occasionally held in Dunedin in connection with the Gilchrist Scholarship, and it would not interfere in any way with the Otago University if people who cannot possibly attend that institution were allowed to avail themselves of the London examinations for matriculation, the 8.A., B.Sc., M.A., M.Sc., and other degrees. The only cost would be that of providing a supervisor—a mere nothing for several students presenting themselves for the examinations, which could all bo held together in the same room with one supervisor. The system has been of untold benefit to the poor student in England, who must work at some employment while studying. I suggest that tho secretaries of the W.E.A. ask Professor Adams what could bo done for such ■ >-rge and deserving class.— 1 am, etc., BA.