Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 610, 12 March 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION j Sir,— I read Mr. E. McGregor's protest against the Paeroa-Pokeno railway and it is certainly strange for a public man to put such a weak argument forward. What use would it be to place a concrete road in the centre of two railways only 39 miles from point to point? Imagine how much confusion there would be in transshipping, say, 1,000 head of fat bullocks both at Paeroa and then at Pokeno, and how many lorries one would need. GO - AHEAD RAILWAYS. SHOP RENTS Sir,— It is good to see that somebody has taken up the question of high rents in Auckland. As a small shopkeeper, I have been suffering severely from conditions, and lately cannot afford to employ labour because takings have fallen by over 60 per cent. The profit is less, and I have to work much harder owing to the preponderance of smaller sales. If it were not for working long hours as principal, I could not afford to struggle on at all. But the landlord does not care. He calls and collects liis rent every week without so much as inquiring about business. The hard part is that, apart from there being no buyers on the market, I cannot sell out because my books would reveal nothing but an apparently bad proposition. All I have to say is that the position with regard to rents in Auckland is scandalously unfair both to retailers and the public alike. indignant: HIGH RENTS Sir. In reply to “Victim.” docs it not occur to him that the landlord in most cases is spurred on by increased valuations by the Auckland City Council? Every year in most instances there is an increase in value of properties in the City of Auckland, in spite of what all land agents say about values decreasing. Property cannot be sold for cash only on low values, but when valuations increase yearly and rates also increase, then the landlord naturally passes it on. Within the last ten or twelve years my rates and valuation have nearly doubled, but the rent in many instances has been reduced. Now, sir, 1 think it is high time the valuer was elected by the ratepayers and recommended to the Government for appointment, instead of the City Council having all the say. People complain that although their property has not been improved, the valuation has been increased, yet their neighbours remain the same. I think that the Government should firgt pass an Act to prohibit a valuer from increasling valuation because a man has painted his house or improved his property by drainage or otherwise. If a landlord does any repairs for the com-

fort of the tenant or preservation of his property, lie is at once jumped on by the council’s valuers on the least excuse. The valuations and his rates then go up. Because of this houses in many instances are allowed to fall into disrepair and become a disgrace to our city. Complaints about valuations being excessive are common all over the city. It is worth thinking about; the valuer has too much liberty and some curtailment is necessary. FAIR PLAY. SEEING A CHAMPION Sir,— As a spectator at the Arne Borg carnival last night, I would like to express my disgust at the manner in which the seating arrangements were handled. With my wife, I arrived at the baths at 7.20. Both of us had reserved seats. Despite the fact that at five minutes to eight it was clear that the reserved seats were full, a long line of people continued to be ushered along these tiers of seats, and remained standing in front of those who were seated. Protests were of no avail, and the result was we all had to stand to see anything at all. Dozens of other people were in the same predicament. The Auckland Swimming Association no doubt regards it as a feather in its cap that it was able to cram the baths full for this carnival, but if this is a sample of its management, it does not say much for the way the sport is run here. A.E.R. CHORAL PROGRAMMES Sir. — In your article on the Choral Society under the heading “Music” on Thursday, you referred to certain “Programme Problems” which are not singular to our society; but, to anyone who studies "the writing on the wall.” it does not need a Daniel to read in the signs of the times, that care and thought will have to be given to future policy. At the same time I would like to assure those interested in choral work, which to my mind is the highest form of music, that we intend, in every way possible, still to maintain the high traditions and standards heretofore set by the Auckland Choral Society, and if we fail it will certainly not be the fault of the management. Our first work this season will be “Maritana,” a work of good class, bordering on grand opera, which has given pleasure to millions of people in the past, and I venture to predict that tire present generation will also get enjoyment out of it, in spite of the number of “melodies” contained in it. “Israel in Egypt,” the second work, is largely choral in contrast to "Maritana,” and will be new to the present generation. Failing this work we have under consideration either “Samson” or Elgar’s glorious cantata, “The Dream of Gerontius.” The third concert work is not decided on yet, but we are waiting word with regard to several works done at the Dunedin Exhibition, t (Continued in next column.)

if available. To those anxious to hear the highest class works performed as in England and abroad, there are only two ways to make this possible—either by a sufficient number of subscribers, or else the support of a number of citizens keen enough to act as guarantors in case of loss in the production of works, which may not appeal to the public. This latter method is in vogue in all the large cities in America, with the result that musical organisations are enabled, in many cases, to pay their way without calling on guarantees. Thanking you for your very genuine interest in the future welfare of our society. C. B. PLUMMER. PresidentAuckland Choral Society.

MONKEY GLAND TREATMENT

Sir. The Thoroughbred Breeders Association is to b© congratulated and commended for its decision against allowing any horse with a strain of gland grafting to b© included in its stud book. It is to be hoped that other countries will follow in the lead of New Zealand by keeping their stock, horses, sheep and cattle pure and untainted from the strain of monkey-gland graftingJt is deplorable to think French were not content with Rabelais’s career of 28 years, but subjected his to the gland treatment. Is it any wonder he contracted a chill and siiccumbed? The sunlight treatment will fie found to be more satisfactory, for horses, like men, will quickly respond to its invigorating and soothing lnnuCllCe * L NOBLE.

ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT

L.E.F. —Your letter on the election of the City Licensing Committee arrived too late for publication on the eve of the poll. It is a good rule to write early, as well as to vote early, on important public questions. — Editor, The Sun.