Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 230, 17 December 1927, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

A NOTICE NEEDED Sir, May I draw your attention to the dangerous state of the Jervois RoadCurran Street crossing. There is no automobile notice where Curran Street meets Jervois Road, although the Curran Street School is just a short distance away. A telephone box also obscures the view of motorists travelling along the curve of Jervois Road and makes the intersection doubly dangerous and it is a wonder that children have not been injured there. Usually, at such intersections the notice “School Here. Drive Slowly” is erected. HERNE BAY BROADCASTING THE TROTS Sir,It is a little difficult to follow the Auckland Trotting Club’s actions re broadcasting. Firstly, Mr. J- Rowe, president of the club, in a considered statement informed an Auckland paper that the sole reason for refusing the broadcast was that such broadcast “encouraged the country bookmaker. The public, -while recognising that the encouragement, so offered, would tempt the “pencillers” into the open and make it easier to catch them, made no comment as they welcomed the Auckland Trotting Club into the ranks of the guardians of the public morals. The hospital would probably object to accepting tainted money—and the Radio Broadcasting Company would most certainly refuse to pay if the allegations re. bookmaking were true. Let me invite the public to read the list of names composing the committee of the Auckland Racing Club. These gentlemen have carefully considered the whole position and permitted the relay—no duplication of statements, no mention of bookies, no asking for money. The true position should be obvious. TIN HARE. CITY TRANSPORT Sir, — We were informed a few months ago that a new scale of tram fares was to be given a six months’ trial. The “powers that be” have either underestimated their expenditure or overestimated their receipts, with the result that to-day we are back to “as you were before you were.” Indeed, we are worse off to-day for transport than ever we were. Take for instance, Victoria Avenue. People living on this line are carried to Wellesley Street and left to find their own way to the lower part of the city. This is the only service treated in this ridiculous manner. Why, in all conscience, cannot the management work out some scheme to treat Victoria Avenue as other lines are treated? One wonders if it has ever given its favourite “circular sailing” a thought in connection with this run. Is there any reason why these Victoria Avenue cars should not be run alternately down Upper Queen Street and round up Anzac Avenue and down Anzac Avenue and round up Queen and Wellesley Streets. The Government under pressure from the City Council saw fit to make the latter the controllig transport body. It would be interesting to see a balance sheet showing how its bus transactions. up to date, look on paper. It would have been better for the public lif the council had gone on losing money

on the trams under bus competition. This latter could not have lasted long without a mutual and fail* advance in fares. Private owners, once their losses through repairs, depreciation and cost of renewing were brought home to them, would not have been content to go on losing their capital, and things must have righted themselves. At the same time I would like to draw the attention of the City Council to the state of Victoria Avenue. The road has never been properly made and at the present time we only want a few hours’ rain to make it dangerous in parts. While this street, which I claim is one of the most important in the city, is woefully neglected, the side streets in the district are properly looked after and now carry good surfaces. DISGUSTED. MACAULAY’S REMARKS Sir,— In reply to “Moderate's” further discussion on the licensing question, I would like first of all to deny a statement in which he says that I stated that “the Prohibition Party had made up their minds to disregard party and to take the shortest cut to their goal by voting for the man, no matter what his party may be, if he will give expression to their wishes.” My statement was to this effect: “That a number of business men of different parties whom I had conversed with had decided to take this course.” If the Prohibition Party had taken up this attitude years ago the question would have been settled once and for all. He also states that the reason he is accused of being on the side of the Liquor Party is because: he refuses to range himself on the side of the extremists. I would like to draw his attention to the indisputable fact that the prohibitionists of this country hold a very decided majority of votes on their side—a clear-minded expression of opinion in favour of a tremendous principle. Neither the Liquor Party nor the Moderates nor the combined party, as they really are, can lay claim to such an expression. With regard to “Moderate’s” last remark and quotations from Lord Macaulay, I can j only say that the fact of Macaulay's j being an essayist, historian, or even a lord, lends no significance to the remarks whatever. There are countless testimonies of even more eminent men than Macaulay which absolutely discountenance his assertions. VOLUNTARY ABSTAINER A GARDENER’S PLAINT Sir, I m annoj-ed and very verv Rngrv with the City Council and I write to you about it as you are not on the council and may pay heed and let others know what 1 am annoyed and angry over. It is my garden; not a big one, but if •what is planted in it grows I will be independent of Ah Pip and Ah Pop for necessary supply of vegetables which will save delving into my sporra?’ „° h > suffering gardens, ye but i suffer for the sins of your city fathers, I for have they not decreed that drink by ! hose shall be fed to you but on Tues- | days and Thursdays? The other days I vt ' eek shalt famish and fade. • A r *L^? urse ** is not to be expected that i " lr " (V I P TI his merry committee men ; would have given more consideration to you poor garden souls by allowing ! ou to he fed drink per hose at greater i intervals. I now hose my little bit of

dirt on Thursday nights and not Tuesday may I again spray tn€ 'uj, little bit of dirt —a brilliant my masters—l use the term a • and with all humility, for 1 tripoor, long-suffering citizen who _ _ butes to my master’s purse expectation of gain. I £f ve n -j cot. worrying over tram ana ous - {m Civic Square, baths, faulty tram and other little odds and ends, du it comes to water even the wo OJjt turn and I want my ration a so as to secure the greatest ben ‘ » If Mr. Allum and his merry men arrange it let them “get out under” and give some one e.se This may not be Mr. Al lu •• but it quoted “constructive criticism, ttie is “fair dinkum” common sen^^ les vilt meantime flowers and vegeta * and the council won’t, but as - *• * says, “Nature usually supplierrain soon and everything in iure . will be lovely. Here’s L'j/ CIIO^Q