CORRESPONDENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 248, 21 January 1881, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do riot hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

“ SITTING ON A RAIL. ” To the Editor.

Sir,— Thirty years—and some of them weary ones, too-/ have I lived in this wicked world, yet in all my experience I hay-e not been > ablo to; -iinderstand the philosophy and from whence cometh the comfort and consolation of sitting on a, rajl. !; t.-.!' _ . ■ - ; 4 I have seen little' babies sucking their thumbs, and I have seen big ones sucking their pipes, and I have no doubt a little comfort ia .obtained froiu -tho former and a good deal of luice from the latter. I have also seen,turkeys, hens, and monkeys perched'complacently oh their roosts—it being a part of their nature so to do. But how a downright.square man car. sit square bn an angle ; ofAS) and be “ aisy,” I don’t know. Yet there are dozens of' inen who ■ range themselves day after day on the Tallin front of Baring Square, ahd seem as comfortable and happy as if they were in Paradise. Now, Ido not object to anyone making themselves comfortable, evgn if they have to sit on, a 1 ail in order so to do ; but it must be very patent to all who have to do business; it East street that it is very objectionable to have to put up with an annoyance in the shape of forty or fifty men perched on a Tail and puffing the filthy fumes of theii‘ tobacco pipes; in the faces bf - passers by, who almost get spit on at every step they go. What is worse, ladies are compelled to.-go-.out-. of their way in order to avoid the rude gaze and, be out of hearing of the coarse and ; Fulgar expressions which fall from these men’s lips. I think, sir, our worthy Sergeant of Police, should compel such “ rqosters ” to move on in search of other “ rails ” which, if not so comfortable to themselves, would be a good riddance to those who have not only to use the footpath, but.'to pay the piper for the erection of the rail in front of Baring square.—l am, Ac., SqUAreseat.

[Perhaps, a;. solution of soft r soap and cobblers’ wax would preserve, thp rail.— Ed. A.Q.]