THOSE STEPS.

Southland Times, Issue 20146, 5 April 1927, Page 9

THOSE STEPS.

To the Editor. Sir, —I have been waiting to see whether any action would be taken in regard to the finding of the Coroner in connection with that recent fatality at our wharf. Now, I am satisfied, for in to-day’s issue “A Possible Subscriber” has taken the matter U PAfter a good deal of agitation the authorities took action in regard to that death trap —the Devil’s Pool. I hope that the wellconsidered judgment of our learned coroner in this case will not be overlooked. Those steps, sir, should be attended to. “A Possible Subscriber” seems to hint, however, that a careful re-reading of the evidence would make it out that the real cause of the accident was not the steps at all. What do you think? If this is your opinion then I take it you will not do as he suggests and open a subscription list to have the steps repaired. Awaiting your lead.— I am, etc., BEFUDDLED. [The installation of proper steps is desirable; but we will not open a subscription list.—Ed. S.T.J THE MUNICIPAL ROLL. To the Editor. Sir, —The originator of that masterpiece, “Resident’s Claim of Enrolment,” has (whether deliberately or not is yet to be ascertained) left a loophole whereby the forthcoming elections may at any time be invalidated. On inquiry at the local Borough Offices, it was ascertained that “it is generally understood’’ that people under the age of twenty-one years cannot vote, but, on the application form referred to above, there does not appear any question whatever about age.

Now, that should have been the first question on the form, so that all under 21,

who vote, would be making false declarations. But, as things stand, all the school children in the district may fill in these forms,’ post them to the Municipal Offices, and, once on the roll, vote in the Mayoral election.

Our authorities, however, produce a form used in Wellington, in support of their omission, which showed a similar lack of sense in that it failed to ask this all-im-portant question.

Whoever is responsible for these forms ought to wake up, for he is not to know how many of the applications already accepted are from minors, because this defect was pointed out considerably before the closing date for applications.—l am, etc., MINOR VOTER.