Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 47, 18 May 1927, Page 8

Citizens Say —

To the Editor,

A SPORTS GROUND *

Sir,— In view of the fact of there being such a number of unemployed men in Auckland this seems to me to be a very opportune time for the Citv Council to do something in the matter of providing a sports ground. Our city at present is far behind in this respect. True, the Domain is an ideal place for an athletic meeting, but when a sports meeting is held there is stops the cricket matches, and the cost to the club running the meeting, about £35, is prohibitive. It appears to me that an ideal stadium could be formed on that part of the Domain on which No. 4 football pitch is situated at present. A banked cycling track enclosing a running track, and a football ground for the winter months, should prove a great asset to the city, and would provide sport both for competitors and spectators during the summer months. I trust that those of our city who are interested in athletic sports will take this question up, and would suggest that the Auckland Amateur Athletic Association convene a meeting of its affiliated clubs with a view to bringing the proposal before the City Council. ONLOOKER.

THE DEVONPORT OUTLET

Sir, — Motor taxation is obviously for motor roading—to relieve county ratepayers of some of their undue burden and enable motorists to travel. The “opening up of country” may have something to do with the county contributions and the State subsidies, but not with the three-quarters of a million annually contributed by motor owners, who are the only class specially taxed. The main highways authorities, however, are ignoring that principle in regard to the Devonport roads to the North, which carries ninetenths of the traffic. While liberally financing roads in practically untravelled parts they are reported to have limited their aid to the Devonport road to £l3 a mile—a road which motorists are so feverishly eager to travel that over 100 cars were bogged there all night last Christmas in unexpected rain. There are those farther west who have seized control of the position, and, through county and departmental channels, are smothering this road right under the eyes of the Minister and his Highway Board. The hope of a harbour bridge in the future does not warrant immobilising this road for the next ten years. Immense suffering and vexation are caused every year by the withholding of metal and maintenance north of Redvale, and some day the skidding of a car will plunge us into the gloom of a fatal tragedy. There are 500 legitimate motor owners in Takapuna and Devonport, and I suggest they organise an independent association and refuse

to pay taxes till grievances are redressed. The road needs a definite and immediate declaration as a Government road, with maximum subsidy, so that the settlers who are paying tor metalling it will be assured of its maintenance by the Highway Board. There are disquieting rumours of extraordinary favouritism in certain districts of the North, and I think a conference should be convened to collect evidence, and prepare data to submit to a public inquiry. SHOREITE. Devonport, May 18.

LONG JETTIES AND ATHLETES

Sir,— To most Aucklanders, Stanley Bay is chiefly remarkable for its long jetty and many a fast 440 yards has been accomplished on it by residents intent on catching their boat. That these sharp sprints are not without value from an athletic standpoint is evidenced by the records of last Saturday’s sport in several branches. In the Rugby code, D. Reid, of Stanlev Bay, was responsible for Shore’s victory, and Bush registered two scores for Mount Albert Grammar in Soccer. H. Whitley, Stanley Bay, hit a brilliant goal that gave the major points to Shore in hockey; Miller, Stanley Bay, placed two goals to Varsity’s credit, and, in League, O’Brien played a brilliant game marred by an unlucky accident. We have no doubt he would have scored otherwise. It has been stated, unofficially, that other marine suburbs, envious perhaps of Stanley’s proud record, are considering making long extensions to their jetties with what result time will show. H.R.F.

AN ELECTOR’S REFLECTIONS

Sir,— A man may be a brilliant solicit* a great writer, or preacher, and t be a failure as the head of the Government. It is no easy task to be a Prime Minister in this country at present. Things seem to have gone from bad to worse since the war, when men in power absolutely lost their heads, and sunk this little struggling country into dreadful debt. The w was won for the first time at the Marne, as all the military chiefs well know, and it was then a question of time only. There was -no need for conscription at all. After conscription, 20,000 men or more were sent to Bn gland, and then began the trouble ot loss and waste. It was about the same when the Boer War was on. Nobody would listen to the truth. Had the Government here stuck to the volunteer principle, we would have done rather more than our share, and would have saved the country from becoming the property of the pawnbroker It is only the truth to say tnat things have gone from bad to

worse since the war. I don’t that the Government has been a to make a success of anything- * railways, in the hands of enterprise, should have paid well, w no doubt would have done »*>» t 0 as they are carried on, they seem be a big drag upon State finance., justice to the present Governnaen is fair to say that at the last * tion no direct promises were We were asked to vote for Mr. j D and gooc government, that is a i 1 *_ 00 d all probability their ideas a ®°®’ c *si e rand mine differ con i ably. I think the real secret a Government majority is the tea i Labour Government. l am . ha ye Socialist, but I used to be, *‘ n ma ny forgotten a lot that a S ooa A Labourites have yet to J eaJ * do Labour Government could tb e New Zealand any harm beef “» other fellow won’t let it. Povresponsibility, and^money