Citizens Say-

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 674, 28 May 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say-

(To the Editor.)

MORNINGSIDE TUNNEL Sir.—

I have waited long: to hear the voice of tho public as opposed to that of vested interests in this momentous matter of getting: a more direct rail route to the North. I suggest the Prime Minister be asked when here to get an engineer’s report on the following schemes: (1) The conversion of the nev stone wall erected by the Harbour Board, off Ponsonby, into a structure to carry a line and continue on to Te Atatu, as already proposed. (2) Join with the Harbour Bridge project and re-cross from Birkdale to Hobsonville airdrome. (3) Make Mt. Eden a “Gare du Nord” and cut off to the North at a practical point. I know nothing of engineering, but for years I have passed the Ponsonby reefs and those beyond, and low spring tides reveal the area to Te Atatu to be largely shallow' flats with tidal creeks. As to the Morningside Tunnel, I noticed last evening at the top of Queen Street considerable shaking, oven when heavy lorries moved past. I know of many people like myself holding similar views and we would urge you, sir, to help in ventilating this important problem. DAYLIGHT.

DAYLIGHT SAVING

I have just read in your valued paper an article wherein a delegate to the Farmers’ LTnion Conference expressed the opinion that daylight saving is a “curse.” The conference voted against daylight saving. These men are just being ridiculous. T have lived on many farms in different parts of New Zealand, and I must honestly state I have never known the correct time within half an hour. The farmers I know work by the sunlight, not the time. New Zealand has standard time from Christchurch. From New Plymouth to Gisborne at ordinary times there is a considerable difference in the amount of daylight according to the clock, and no one worries about that for five minutes. The United Kingdom, which has more sheep, cattle, and dairy farms than New Zealand, will see for some years yet, finds that the hour of daylight saving is beneficial even when England has so much twilight. When all is said and done, there is a certain amount to be done each day. Why should starting half an hour earlier, and finishing half an

hour earlier, make any difference whatever? In two days I will guarantee that most people—that is with any common sense at all—have forgotten that the clock has been altered. L.W.B. Onehunga.

EVOLUTION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Sir. Tho question of teaching Evolution in public schools has, for some time, been discussed in the Press, and as it lias as great an interest for the man in the backblocks as for the town dweller, I crave a portion of your space for an outback’s ideas on the matter. I am quite in agreement with one of your correspondents, “A.E.C.,” who makes the following statement in one of his letters: “It is amazing that those who. set themselves up as opponents of Evolution do not first make a. thorough study of its bearings upon the whole gamut of natural sciences. They would thereby be saved from falling into egregious blunders.” The above words seem to indicate that “A.E.C.” has studied this subject on all points of natural science. If so, then he must be acquainted with the natural science of astronomy which deals with tho years formed by the movements of our solar system. There is one orb of our solar system that forms a cycle of seven years, and, ns “A.E.C." has studied the natural sciences, I would suggest that he supply your readers with this cycle. When he has done so I will endeavour to show that the record given of man’s creation (as stated in Genesis) is in strict agreement. T. MITCHELL. Whakapa ra.

TAKAPUNA FINANCE

Sir.— With reference to your report on the financial position of the Taka puna Borough Council as submitted at the meeting held last Wednesdav, I beg to point out that I took exception to the action of the late council in'authorising for expenditure—one week prior to the election—sums amounting t n about £640 out of the small sum of £6.000 estimated for the maintenance work this year. In addition. I undercontinued in next column.)

stand that other sums have been spent or authorised, bringing the total up to about £1,200 or £1.500, leaving the present council with, about £4,500 to carry on maintenance work for the year, whereas the late council during its last year of office spent or authorised approximately £II,OOO (including about £ 1,500 of this year’s allocation). In fairness to the present courcil, I think that the amount of £640 authorised for expenditure on the 24th cf last month—one week before the election —might have been left for the new council to deal with, but with a recommendation to carry out the work intended. No mention is made in the authorisation to apply for a £1 for £1 subsidy from the Government, which might have been done if permanent work was intended.

There now appears to be a difference in the opinions of the “six supporters” on the question of raising the rates. While the Mayor advocates resubmitting the loan proposals for £25,100 rejected by the ratepayers last year (vide newspaper report on the 20th inst.) his new council, at last Wednesday’s meeting, affirmed the principle that rates should not bo raised. "Why the sudden change? To attempt to force through any loan proposals en bloc—all or none—and deprive the ratepayers of the right to vote on the issues singly would again be a waste of money. The ratepayers have a right to exercise their own intelligence on these matters. They have to pay the piper and should therefore be allowed to call the tune. ALEX H. WILKIE. Councillor, Takapuna Borough.