LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2371, 29 January 1915, Page 7

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

MILITARY SPORTS AT TRENTHAM. Sir, —I have just received information to the effect that, cast prizes. are being offered for the events, other than those open to officers only, at tho'.sports meeting to be held at Trentham to-morrow". , The shortness of time prevehts'me from communicating with the ; authorities at the camp, but, as I have every reason to believe my information--is.correct, I ask your kind permission to point out that this is altogether contrary' to the instructions issued by Major-General Sir Alexander Godley, who laid it down that in all athletic, events held by the Now Zealand forces trophies oniy snoiild be given, the object being to preserve the status of the amateur competitors. Prior to the dispatch of tie Main Expeditionary Force, your-readers will recollect that a highly successful sports meeting was held at Newtown Park under the auspices of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association the result being that about £200 was raised' for the regimental fund of tbat force. My object in drawing attention to this matter is that all amateurs who take part in events for which cash prizes are offered will lose their status, and be debarred from 'competing in amateur events in the future; either in New' Zealand or abroad.

I very much regret that the arrangements made with Major-General Sir Alexander Godley are, in this instance, being departed from. —I am, etc.", J. C. CUSACK, Hon. Sec. N.Z. Amateur Athletic Assn. Wellington, January 26, 1915. RACING AT TRENTHAM. Sir,—As a frequent supporter of the "king of sports" at Trentham, allow me to protest against the poor stand accommodation provided for both inside and outside patrons. At the recent meeting this was very apparent. On the first day the stands were over-run with volunteers; on the second day, when tho downpour of rain occurred, it was pitiable to see well-dressed ladies as well as men huddled up under trees or anywhere they- could get, as it was impossible for half the people to get under cover. The same remark applies to Saturday. Seeing that gentlemen haye to pay 10s. for the privilege of going inside, the least the club can do is to give them decent accorambdation. I should suggest that a stand for men only be built inside, as tho indiscriminate issue of ladies tickets causes tho present stand to he monopolised, and leaves no room whatever for males. The blooking of the stairways 'is another thing that wants preventing. I would suggest that in future ladies' tickets be only issued to those who are escorted by gentlemen.—l am, eta., INSIDE ENCLOSURE. | SUBURBAN TRAMS. Sir,—Referring to the "explanation" in this morning's Dominion by a responsible tramway officer as to the miserable Miramar Borough service, I would like to point out how very misleading ho is in his attempt to explain away the now notorious mismanagement of the Wellington tramways. He says that want of cars has been the chief handicap in the past. Nothing of the sort. It is well known that on fine Sundays a great number of extra cars are run. on the Lyall Bay line. Of'course anyone knows that id the early part of tho afternoon the cars havo to run back empty. Peoplo can't be going and coming at tho same time. Why, then,'point this' out against Miramar and Seatpun when. it applies all round? If innumerable extra cars can bo run on tho Lyall Bay line, surely a few could be spared for tho Miramar Borough. All the difficulties pointed out by the responsible tramway official ar'o to be met with in other cities, but sonio attempt is made to copo with them, unlike Wellington; ..Referring to another matter: When, is somei. littlo attempt to ho made to. run. under ordinary circumstances to .the timetable ? At present there is none, even with the first cars for tho day,,and yet this is only the ABC of tram management. Why bring out a time-table with which.to delude tho public?."' Whv not chalk up at the starting-places: f 'Cars run anyhow," which is ( the lamentable truth?—l am, etc., ' '.■■ 'ANOTHER VICTI3L ".