What Readers Think Letters to the Editor

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21968, 21 May 1941, Page 7

What Readers Think Letters to the Editor

BOROUGH COUNCIL WORK

Sir, —In a letter submitted prior to the election "A Resident” deprecates the Borough Council’s expenditure on beautifying work. Apropos of this may I suggest that in certain cases the term “beautifying” is a misnomer? The late Council, in its wisdom, has beautified and unbeautified Maori Paik on many occasions. It is now suffering the worst "blitz” of all, and is definitely worse than it was five years ago. Notwithstanding the Curator’s report, a report which influenced the Council in its present job of removing the surface soil for Bay improvements, there is a strong suspicion that grass sown eventually on this reserve will be sown practically on clay. It would appear that "A Resident” is not aware that the majority of employees on these so-called improvement, works are paid by Government subsidy to the Council. These men are not overpaid, and your correspondent strikes a discordant note in his reference to and condemnation of what he terms “big wages.” A further correspondent, "Resident,” sums up the position when he complains of Mr Foote’s “ill-timed suggestions.” At this juncture probably no one realises this more than the sponsor. The respective poll positions of the new Council suggest that the beach may not now be converted into a series of garden plots, and that due consideration will be given to the sealing of streets and footpaths. The result of the voting is significant in that those who are committed to realism topped the poll.—l am, etc., R. W. ANDERSON. Timaru, May 19.

Sir,—l would like to ask “A Resident" why he or she has chosen to select the men employed by the Borough Council for special criticism in the matter of wages. I have every reason to believe that in company with the rest of Timaru they are playing their full part in the war effort. On every pound earned they pay 2/- tax. I happen to know many of the men concerned and was in a position some time ago, on one of the Patriotic Committees, to verify that those who today are being castigated were on the spot with the cash and helped epnslderably to swell the fund. “A Resident” will notice a big increase in the investments on the totalisator. The crowd that attended the meeting last Thursday and Saturday had a lot of spare cash to spend, yet nobody seems to complain. The hue and cry regarding petrol is far from being sustained when one takes a look at the parking area at Washdyke. The increase in the totalisator would help to purchase the cots for a London hospital and m all probability would not be so much missed as the few shillings from the pockets of the workers concerned.— I am, etc., ANOTHER RESIDENT. . Timaru, May 19.

WAIMATAITAI BEACH

Sii-,—l was very pleased to read “Resident’s” letter referring to Mr Foote’s suggestions for dressing sheds on Waimataitai beach. I say leave the beach as It is and turn attention to the Waimataitai lagoon which is an eyesore to everyone. It could be filled in (not with rubbish) and made to look clean and tidy, which I am sure would not cost as much as some of Mr Foote’s suggestions.—l am, etc., MOTHER. Timaru, May 19.

CORRESPONDENTS ANSWERED

ABOVE BOARD: You overlook that the Prime Minister announced before he left that his colleagues were free to act as they thought fit. The suggestion you make in your covering note is rubblxb. Editor, “Timaru Herald.”