Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 829, 25 November 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

CHRISTMAS, 1929 Sir, — Once again as the festive season approaches it is our privilege (by your courtesy) to appeal to your large body of readers on behalf of the inmates of the Manurewa Children’s Home. Every year those who love the children, whose love reaches out beyond their own immediate circle, have supplied us with the wherewithal to provide special cheer and gifts for all our little ones, and we rest confident in the assurance that this year, too, the children’s friends will see to it that those in our care shall not lack of the good things usually found on our tables at the Christmas season. Contributions in cash or parcels may be left at the office, or with the matron at the home, and will be gratefully acknowledged. THOS. E. WHITTON, Secretary-Treasurer. Empire Buildings, Swanson Street. MENACE TO HEALTH Sir, I do not often write to your paper to complain, but I feel that I am justified in asking for a few inches of your space to mention the danger to public health which is occasioned by the lack of sanitary conveniences on the Takapuna Beach. X visited this popular resort yesterday, expecting that, for the beginning of the season at least, there would be made adequate provision for cleanliness and the preservation of public health: but I was surprised and shocked to find that the facilities, besides being meagre, were so disgustingly tilthy that if a sanitary inspector were to trouble to visit them he would immediately take action against the responsible authority. It is a scandal and a disgrace that the visitors to such a beautiful beach should be greeted with such treatment as this. I hope that this state of things is remedied before the summer has advanced very far. SANITARY CHURCH SERVICE FOR SPORTSMEN Sir. — There is nothing new in the idea ex-Ploitc-d by tho Rev. Canon Janies, formerly of Auckland and now in Wellington, to hold services for those who are later to engage in sports on Sundays. At least one church has. for many years to my knowledge, countenanced the right of its people to indulge in clean, healthy sport once their

ecclesiastical obligations have been fulfilled. The idea no doubt is that, having begun the day sincerely and well, the people will spend their Sunday innocently but healthily in recreation and rest. There is no reason in the world, however, why Sunday should not be utilised for harmless recreation as well as for worship. It is the only day In the week which is free to a great many people, and a quiet swim or a game of tennis cannot fail to stimulate a healthy outlook. Brooding and idleness, on the other hand, must engender discontent and dissatisfaction. SUNDAY SPORT WAITEMATA POWER BOARD LOAN Till such time as the cost of remedving the defects of the dam at Arapuni are estimated, ratepayers will be well advised to consider carefully the loan proposal of £IOO,OOO to be voted on next Wednesday, as the stabilising of the dam and spillway may cost possibiv a million, which the ratepayers will have to pay It is estimated that only about £30,000 of the £IOO,OOO is needed lor immediate requirements. I hen Why have £70,000 waiting in anUeipation/ To my mind the amount of the loan should have been itemised r f, tepayer - s a . n opportunity to exercise their «»wn intelligence. For TTVLYL,:' fUerna^v^cPropcsaHidr7oi'wh~",T rcmaind '‘‘' giving some v \ hen thf - money will be required! J hen let the people choose for themselves. I intend to be careful SAFETY FIRST. THE TRANSPORT BOARD I I have read with a good deal of ! astonishment tlio destructive criticism I directed against the members of the Transport Board both collectively and individually, and have looked in vain 101 any of these candid critics to come forward with any really constructive SSTVi?- * uch ot " hat ha* been said and written amounts to mudslmgmg and venom. These imaginary grievances might be summed up under three chief heads:—(i> -tY boarrt ma ! 1 - f \ ( - 2> the com P°sition of the I hoaid, (3) increase in charges. For I instance, the chairman has been blamed for all manner of sins of omisi sion and commission without anv sub. | stance, but the chief grievance seems ( to be that he has a mind of . ... One Clitic referred to him as a "Wus- | solim What thm is the alternative'/ | A cypher. I think the community is

particularly fortunate in having a maa of Mr. All urn’s standing and ability els chairman of this most important board, and if he officiated in a similar capacity on such an important direct* orate across the Tasman or Pacific bfi would be paid four times the small sum he is allowed here, and would be considered well worth such a fee. Then in regard to the board itself. It has been reiterated again and again: ‘‘lt should be elective.” I reply that if we had an elective board, it would bring to light a crop of seekers for limelight, failures in other walks of life, political opportunists—with brain power, culture and experience much below the standard of the present board. One critic has said, “the mem* bers of the Transport Board did not agree among themselves.** He gave this as a reason why they could not in his opinion efficiently function. Probably this man did not stop to think that you cannot get a body of men, no matter how small, to agre« upon everything. A survey of the personnel of the Transport Board shows tha- "Jiey are as representatiY® of various shades of opinion as any body of merieould be, whether placed there by “elective” or “nominee” system, and that they are men who have succeeds in an honourable manner in their own walk of life. and they are men <» character and integrity, and considerable ability. What more does the community want?

Concerning the increase in charges or the slight reduction in allowance ** concession cards: If the critics business men, would they then continue selling goods b*dow cost? If the inevitable would happen. The Transport Board is to be commend** for doing the unpopular thing in the interests of duty, preventing the in* •, evitable happening. In other words. ; the public should at least pay for cos! of running trams. Might 1 reply to critics by statinS i that:—(J) Notwithstanding recent in- ! crease, tram fares here are cheaper than in any other tramway service ® the Southern Hcmipshere; (2) efficiency, cleanliness and service traffi- ! here are the equal of the world’s t* s * and superior to many; (3) the rollinl j *tock of the Transport Board is in * j tar superior condition to many si® l ' lar services across the seas, and sequently its chief asset would pear on a balance sheet in j favourable light than others: (4> ** | management of the tramways more efficient than many ser T 4< A across the seas. I state these far® without fear of contradiction as I , some knowledge of the working . tramways in manv other cities. • -while I iim not p-'rw-nally with members of the Transport I have every appreciation for the di ■ • culties under which they are Ist i ing, and th public should j the great serv i« r they are render!** T RAM WAY FAS SENGE**