DUNEDIN'S FUTURE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27018, 1 March 1949, Page 6

DUNEDIN'S FUTURE

Sir,—W. O. Kempthorne’s expostulation makes most amusing reading, especially to a Scot. One wonders whether he condescends to live in or near Dunedin. I would not for a fortune attempt to answer his letter—that would spoil it. But may I relate a delightful story it brought to my mind? Some years ago two young ladies from Havelock North spent a holiday in the " Edinboro’ of the South,” which apparently they did not enjoy. On their return on the Hastings-Havelock bus they were most voluble —to the amusement of most • of the passengers—about Dunedin and its people. They had encountered nothing but “ rain and Scotch folk.” One elderly lady, bursting with indignation, rose to leave the bus, and. turning to the young ladles, gave this parting shot: “The next time ye gaun for a holiday, gaun tae hell: ye’ll get neither rain nor Scotch folk there.”—l am, etc., Canny Scot.

Sir,—l agree with W. O. Kempthorne’s letter. And here is my suggestion why he can say such true things of Dunedin. Dunedin is a town of ancestral worship, and the people are so engrossed in their worship of the past that they are unable to live in the present, let alone the future. Here is the initial remedy for the above disease—blast out the old monuments and museums and erect new ones dedicated to the future—e.g., the Cargill Monument (and convenience) at the Exchange, and instead erect modern traffic lights with a Neon sign reading: “ Dedicated to the men of to-day, who vision, plan and work for to-morrow.” Likewise dedicate new (in its full architectural meaning) buildings, but do not add the date to the memorial as to-day will become to-morow, if it is planned for.—l am, etc.. Sapiens To-day.