WHAT CORRESPONDENTS SAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18468, 21 May 1928, Page 9

WHAT CORRESPONDENTS SAY.

EMPIRE WEEK AWARDS.

To the Editor. Sir,—May I suggest that awards for window displays in connection with Empire Week should be given early, so that the prizes given can be displayed before the week-end ? This means a great deal to the small trader \j>ho 1* 3,8 made a special effort for this important occasion.—l am, etc., EMPIRE WORKER.

AUCKLAND’S CHALLENGE.

To the Editor. Sir,—An article in Friday evening’s ’Star” by “W.R.K.” on the coming battle of the brilliant Aucklanders with Canterbury for the Ranfurly Shield will not come as a surprise to Canterbury followers of the national game. No doubt there are other provinces that are thinking in the same way as Auckland of the easy matches in store for them *against a greatly depleted team, but no game is won or lost until the whistle blo4vs. “W.R.K.” has a lot to say about four of the Auckland representatives, Sheen, Lucas, M Williams and Hadley, being lost to their team, but does he not remember that Canterbury have lost eight stars in M’Gergor, Scrimshaw. Lilburne, Dailey, Alley, Burrows, Robilliard and Carleton? VVith rhese fine players absent in South Africa, it will no doubt seem an excellent opportunity for Auckland to find the necessarv cash, which has previously been spoken of as a stumbling-block to a tour south. Did it look too hard a proposition for them to meet the Canterbury team proper in previous years on a sporting basis, with no Ranfurly Shield at stake? It seems to me that Auckland are under the impression that their match for the Shield this year looks easv money, but even if they do get hold of it (I have my doubts yet, w ith all their Scottish Internationals and Hawke’s Bay representatives), they will not be taking it from the real Canterbury Shield-holders. We Rugby supporters in Canterbury have every hope of holding on to the Shield, and our lads selected to defend the coveted trophy will, we hope, give all-comers a good sporting go for it.—l am^etc^

T.B. PATIENT GIVES H I S EXPERIENCE.

To the Editor. Sir,—Being an ex-T.B. patient, I am much interested in Dr Blackmore’s criticism of Dr Valin tine, and would deem it aifavo ur if you would grant me space in your widely-read daily to air my views on the subject in question. From the outset I would have it clearlv understood that*l am entirely with Dr Blackmore in his attitude. It most certainly appears as though the Commission set tit) by the Direc-tor-General of Health has been formed for the sole purpose of discrediting the work being done by noted T.B. specialists in the South Island. It is a recognised fact that Dr Blackmore is New Zealand's foremost authority on tuberculosis, and it’s only a matter of twelve months since his noble work was acknowledged and praised by the Conference of Hospital Boards of this Dominion. Why Dr Valintine has thought fit to question the administration of South Island Sanatoria is a problem hard to solve. Probably the expenditure is the cause of his anxiety, but should the spending of a few tWmsand pounds be considered where human life is at stake? Was expense considered when his Highness the Duke of York visited these shores? Most emphatically no. Then, why attempt to bar the progress of a cause so worthy as that which Dr Blackmore and his colleagues are fighting for? Surely Dr Valintine does not question Dr Blackmore’s ability to handle a disease of which he has made a life-long study? Now I would like, at this juncture, to state briefly my own personal experience of sanatorium treatment. Two years ago I consulted a T.B. specialist (not Dr Blackmore) in the South Island, and having been thoroughly examined and X-rayed, I was told that my lungs showed signs of infection, and that a course of sanatorium treatment would be necessary. Much against my will I entered a san., where I remained for six months. To say that I benefited by my stay there would be describing it mildly. I improved out of all knowledge, and shall ever be thankful that we have in our midst such- able specialists. Those six months no doubt put years on to my life, and what sanatorium treatment did for me it can do for others. I would, in conclusion, tender a litte humble advice to Dr Valintine. Briefly it is this:—That he, instead of attempting to discredit the administration, unite with Dr Blackmore and others in the big battle they are putting up to keep down this scourge which causes so much loss of life.—l am, etc., EX-PATIENT.

MR H. G. ELL AND THE SUMMIT ROAD.

To the Editor. Sir, —The undeveloped part of the Summit Road will be the most delightful part for the pedestrian and I can say to the people of Christchurch that there is a real treat in store for those who love a walk or ride along a hilltop road. This will be a beautiful road, and no other town in New Zealand will possess one equal to it; it will be a fine public possession—a road, winding for fifty-three miles along hill tops, 400 to 2700 feet above sea level, with ever changing and beautiful views, and with pretty native bush reserves at intervals, through which pathways will be made, making delightful ways for the pedestrian. There will be tracks to the summits of the highest hills so as to make the glorious scenery of the hills more easily accessible, and places for refreshment and accommodation for those who may wish to tramp the whole length of this hill-top road, roadside houses built of stone. The “ Sign of the Takahe,” “ Kiwi,” and Kennedy’s Bush houses give some idea of what these will be like, and furnished in harmony within, will give them an old English charm and make them interesting and picturesque to look upon. To give variety of scenery, I have planned to make by-way paths for the pedestrial away from, but linked up with, the main road, and to complete the dream —for that is what the Summit Road scheme is—l hope, when the main work is done, to see that bright coloured old English stage coach, with four greys and coachman and guard with coachhorn, making the hills echo with the old coach calls. Fanciful, you may say. Yes! 7 like al t l the furnishings about the “ Takahe,” which visitors so much enjoy looking at. And after working for twenty-seven years to bring this about, and not for my own benefit, I am subjected to the humiliation of seeing printed in all the newspapers published on Saturday to be read in every home, the advertisement of the Summit Road Trust—my name is to the notice, of course, I am a member. But 1 should not complain were the public not told that I had made, myself quite useful and helpful. The advertising of this notice, to warn the public, for that is what is intended, was suggested at the last meeting. I said then, that it was a personal insult, and its purpose so apparent that it amounted to a slur. No such public notice was authorised or even definitely proposed, and when a messenger brought it to me late, on Friday afternoon I was astonished and worried, painfully worried. Perhaps I have not had enough worry during the past seven months. Well, I think I have had an abundance, more than my fair share, and I do not think that I deserve this additional load. Last December Mr Reece and Col. Studholme signed, -with myself, an agreement stating that I was to be free to collect and expend the money so collected, on extending the “ Sign of the Takahe.” The board, I may explain, finished up in November. I made substantial additions to the building and found the money for wages, and had attractive additions to the decorations of the new room, which has added value, all of which the trust own. Now, Sir, I am too poor a man to carry financial responsibilities, yet I am doing so to the extent of between £250 and £3OO, and my only means of finding the money to pay these debts, alt of which are represented by assets in the building, land, or in the Summit Road, is to collect it from the public. Recently I had to confess to a summons for £2B, incurred while struggling to build the “ Sign of the Takahe.” The trust is not legally liable. I have made one payment on account and my only means of paying this and the other lia"bilities is to collect it from the public. In the face of the fact that this was known it was unkind and unfair practically to ask the public not to give me any subscriptions. The roofing of the Kaituna Hoihc was essential. It is d'one, and my debt on this account is over £25. The road into Kennedy’s Bush had to be repaired, and I carry a debt for this of about £6O. Then there are the old debts in connection with the building, roads and reserves. These are public assets, but I cannot mortgage or sell them, so again my only hope of discharging these is to appeal to the public for whose benefit they were incurred. In conclusion, I wish to say that Col. Studholme and Mr J. F. Studholme have given generously, and have assumed liabilities in connection with the guarantee to the bank for the overdraft of £1747. The people of Christchurch owe them both a debt of gratitude for what they have done and are doing.— I am, etc., H. G. ELL.

A DANGER ZONE.

To the Editor. Sir, —Was very pleased to see photograph of tram congestion in your paper of Saturday evening, and hope that same will illustrate to local auth-

orities the dangerous state of affairs caused by trams crossing from their proper side of the road to their wrong side and vice versa. What city in the world would countenance such a thing? This state of affairs to a motorist, especially a stranger in the town, is a veritable death-trap. Both at Broadway’s corner and the Bank of New Zealand. the trams are at fault. All other forms of traffic must keep to the correct side, why not trams? A solution to the whole would be to do away with the shelter shed altogether. This is absolutely unnecessary. Trams coming south should pass close to the Catheddral, and trams going north should pass behind the present tram shelter.—Hoping local authorities will take action at lonce before there is a serious accident, I am, etc., PUZZLED.