Public Opinion

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 34, 9 February 1934, Page 4

Public Opinion

WANGANUI CARNIVAL Sir, —I would like to sound a note oi warning to the Wanganui Carnival executive and, at the same time, offei something constructive. This year there has been no subscription from the business people, and, apparently, there m ‘‘no wizard of finance*’ on the carnival executive. To my mind AV’ nganui has “gone mad” over its carnival, and the executive, in consequence, is putting on a show big enough for a city with a population of 260,000 instead of 26,000. Why not make the people who are amused pay for it. Take the tin hares (which is only one item) on Cook’s. I understand the charges arc to be sixpence all round. The first time tin hares have been put on in New Zealand and only sixpence admission! Cook’s would be packed at one shilling. Isn’t this muddling? Take “High Jinks’” admission: Adults sixpence, children under 12, threepence. This show alone, Sir, is over three times the size of last year and thorp will be tho same result, over-run with noisy children who would be better off in bod. To tho carnival executive I say. “Congratulations on your energy and organisation,” but be careful that through lack of vision you might have to “dip.” I advocate a charge of one shilling to both the Cook’s Gardens performance and “High Jinks.”—l am. etc., “GUNGA DIN.” “ PHENOMENAL FISHING ” Sir, —“Kai Jwi” (Bone Food) Beach has long been a favoured spot for fishing by Alaoris and later pakehas. The recent calm spell, although an increased number of nets gave an increased yield of fish, is not a phenomenon. To pakehas frequenting thia excellent beach for over 50 years, similar spells will be well remembered causing the shores to be alive with fish. Calm and clear water permits the fish to come close in, but with the flat fish this is not much for feeding purposes, as to bed themselves in tho sunheated sands of the summer shallows. This incoming of the flat fish attracts other fish that prey upon them. Alany AVanganui ites who have netted through the distant years could tell of big hauls, some of them being secured by ladies. The esteemed old resident Mr. Jn. Randal, of Tichfield, Aramoho, who with his sons were pioneers in Kai Iwi Beach netting many years ago, could toll of interesting experiences amongst tho fish.—l am. etc. “PATiKL” BYRD’S BROADCAST Sir, —Re the correspondent who wai making inquiries in 'Thursday’s radio notes whether any listeners has heard short-wave messages from the Byrd Expedition, the writer is pleased to give the following information:— On November 17, KJJY, Admiral Byrd’s ship Jacob Ruppert, was picked up speaking on ’phone to Rocky Point (W2XBT). and was held for one hour, when tho ship was in Wellington. On December 12, 1933, the writer also picked, up KJJY when the boat was on tho way down to the South Pole, also on ’phone, 22.75 metres, between 3 and 5 p.m. Tho wave-lengths used are: 45.11, 45.05, 44.98, 34.01, 22.75, 22.73, 22.68, 22.62, 17.045, 13.944, 13.889 and 13.873 metros. The Antarctic broadcasts will now bo transferred from KJJY to the base at Little America, and will be transmitted under the call KFZ.—I am, H. I. JOHNS. THE EXCHANGE PROBLEM Sir,—-In your issue oi’ 6th inst. appeals several letters on monetary mailers. I am not concerned with tiic opinions expressed by the writcis, the subject is so confusing that few, U any, understand same. Of course, many of us think that wc do. 1 personally, after a long life and much thought, have come to the conclusion that ir any of us knew half as much as wc think we do, stmeone would find away out of the mess that wo have drifted into, but this is by the way. A statement in Air. P. E. Tingey*s letter says: “Assuming a certain assurance company transferred £l,OOO, 000 to New Zealand, a profit of £250,000 New Zealand currency would result ami tho said company would bo able to purchase land and build offices at the expense of New Zealand people.” Surely, Sir, this is not so, •but, as in your footnote, you do not deny the statement, 1 take it to be true. Personally, with trade as it is, I cannot sec the need for exchange, but evidently, judging by the shifting of gold from one country to another, the gamblers do. Only to-day we read of twenty tons of gold being removed by air liners from Paris to London. AVhyt I leave the answer to someone with more knowledge than I. One thing ia very evident and that is that the unwise and fraudulent use of money is at the present moment shaking the French nation. I am, etc., J. RIDDELLS.