MR ELL EXPLAINS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16539, 24 September 1921, Page 9

MR ELL EXPLAINS.

TO THE EDITOR. fUr,—l want the public of Christchurch and Canterbury to know why I took the very unusual course of taking possession, in the face of objection, of the “ Sign of the Kiwi/ I personally engaged Mr and Mrs O Shea, before the Summit Road Committee had anything to do with this house. 1 knew'what was intended if they went out, so I look the only alternative to severing my association with tho Summit Road work. It was intended to prevent me having anything further to do with the “Sign of the Kiwi and it was only the loyalty of Mr and Mrs O’Shea to me which has enabled me for the past year to carry out the improvements I have about the place without interference. Had I not come here I should have sent my resignation as a member of the Summit Road Scenic Reserves Board to the Hon Mr Guthrie, and also my resignation as the Inspector of the Summit ltoad Scenic Reserves. To have cut myself adrift from the Summit Road work would have injured it, for no one would work at it as I have done and will continue to do. Then the refusal to permit the caretaker to collect the tolls for the Heathcote County Counoil is depriving the Summit Road of £6O or £7O per year. The road from the “Kiwi" into Kennedy’s Bush is in very great need of repair, and there is no money with which to do tho work. The road between the tram terminus and the “ Kiwi," which I had diverted from the old one through Victoria Park to give better access to Summit Road, and which has done and is doing so much for the “Sign of the Kiwi" business, had got into a very bad state, and nothing was being done to repair it. J have already offered my services to the Heathcote County Council to collect the tolls without commission. The Dyer s Pass* Road I am already getting into a better state of repair. From the profits of the “Kiwi" I have paid into the Sunvm.it Road Scenic Reserves Board £8 13s, £l7 16s and £ls 14s. With this, the board at the meeting last Wednesday paid £42 off the debt on the “ Kiwi." I can he and am of greater service to this work, which I have made so much a part of my life, here, and being on the spot I can help in the work more efficiently. I have won my right to live midst the scene of my labours, for there is yet much to do. That is why I say that I cannot recognise any right to turn me out. The law court can be asked to make an order to eject me, hut in doing so, it would bo invading my hard and well-earned human right to remain here, and so be in a better position to carry on my labours for this work for the peoplo of Christchurch and Canterbury, a work I love, and which, when completed, will give the peoplo one of the most beautiful pleasure roadg in Now 7ealand.—-I am, eto., H. a. ELL. S pf ember 24, 1921.