SUMNER BAR.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19142, 27 October 1927, Page 11

SUMNER BAR.

TO THB EDITOR O? THE PRESS. Sir, —The views of Colonel Hobday as expressed in to-day's Piti:ss will find ready endorsement with everyone except a close corporation of "Die Hards" in Christchurch. It is really extraordinary to note the effect that any mention of such a subject as improving Sijmner bar has on certain elements of Christchurch society. I myself, in conversation with an acquaintance, have been left ' solus" on that particular part of the pavement lor daring to hint that something might bo done with Sumner bar for the improvement of its navigation. The subject was evidently "taboo" in polito society for some mysterious reason. Still, "it remains a vital question, and tho sooner this "element" conies to earth on the question and lends a helping hand, the better for Christchurch. One can partly guess at some of the reasons for this attitude when expressed in connexion with opening the bar for trade, but if the worst happened and Colonel Hobday's suggestions were very much magnified, and trade were permitted to enter instead of yachts, and a few unfamiliar faces were seen about arid occasionally a fireman or sailor "half seas over,' well what an opportunity for : the "unco guid" to exercise their reclaiming powers and do good in the world But still, our City cannot afford to stand still and watch the other three largo towns forging ahead of ours for the sake of sparing the feelings of the "superior persons" who at present wield the greatest influence in our midst, but remain obstinately opposed to anything in tho nature of fundamental change. Our population is growing, but the means, of keeping them employed is by no means keeping pace with this increase. Consequently, thefe is a constant drift to other parts where there is "more doing." Mr Marrie, of the Commercial Bank, observed shortly before his departure for Australia that the City had' gained 35,000 in population since his arrival here in 1913. but that commercial building in the City had shown "no appreciable increase.!' ' He did not venture to offer any opinion as to the cause of this, but it means that our trade and commerce generally must have remained practically at a standstill. Tliis is certainly not the case with Auckland and Wellington, who have benefited partly by the opening of the Panama Canai. His observation gives rise to thought Are we to buck up.and take a proper pride in the material advancement of our City, or ar© we to remain complacently satisfied that it resembles ?tn English city like Oxford or Cambridge? Surely* it 'S not necessary to remind the conservative elements in our City that it is quite possible for a man to have advanced ideas-regarding sea access, and" still retain his character as a respectable member of society, but the atmos?here is certainly not encouraging.— 'ours, etc:, « , VINDEX. October. 2-sth, 1927.

TO THE EPITOE OT THE PRESS. Sir,—l notice in Monday's Prf.ss tho report of a speech prepared by Colonel Hobday for the opening of the Christchurch Sailing Club. I would like to heartily endorse his remarks about the apathy shown by the public in reference to tbc Sumner bar. Pebplo iu Cliristchureh forget that they have the sea practically at their front door, and that the Estuary and Lyttclton Harbour provide a splendid training for young fellows who love the sea. They also seem to forget that, as we arc an insular nation, our defence must, for th'o most part, be dependent on our Navy (such as it is-). The Estuary and Lyttclton harbour provide an excellent preliminary training for the Navy and Naval Reserve, and it is unfortunate that more young fellows do not take to tho sea. There must be many youug fellows iu Christchurch who would like to take up sailing, but for various reasons, such as lack of parental consent, canuoi do so. The chief .objections are Sumner bar, and "But sailing is such a dangerous, game, my boy." Th*e first objection can be met by a public-spirit-ed move to improve tho bar. The second can be met by a flat contradiction. Sailing is not dangerous provided one can swim, and provided one goes out with experienced men to start with. These young fellows are always welcome to the clubs. Christchurch should realise that it has a splendid training ground for the sea, and show sonic public spirit in improving that bar. —Yours, etc., YACHTSMAN.