TONSORIAL ART IN WELLINGTON

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 87, 7 January 1935, Page 9

TONSORIAL ART IN WELLINGTON

Further Replies to Criticism

ANOTHER LETTER FROM “STREWELPETER”

Criticisms cast on the tonsorial art of Wellington, which appeared in a letter to the Editor in Friday’s “Dominion,” have drawn further replies from correspondents. These, together with a further letter from “Strewelpeter,” are as follow: —

Sir, —I do not agree with your correspondent's general disparaging remarks about Wellington hairdressers and tlie suggestion that only in Auckland can a decent haircut be obtained is in itself obviously childish nonsense. I think, however, that the increase in charge is unjustified; particularly as many, like myself, are working ou much reduce 1 wages. Can any local tairdresser explain why the man who cuts my hair receives 1/3, while the man who shears a sheep leeeivea about 24d.? Also why is a semibald man charged the same as a customer with a full head of hair?—l am, etc., “DAD.” Wellington, January 5.

Sir, —In answer to your correspondent “Strevvelpeter’s” complaint of January 3, I will 'be obliged if you will publish the following. Does he insinuate that there are no tradesmen in Wellington capable of cutting his hair? I read by his letttr he does, as he writes of the standard of tonsorial art in Wellington, and must mean the whole. I will be as brief as possible in answer. There are good and better tradesmen in Wellington, just as there ai-e also iu Auckland. What “Strewelpeter” should do is not go to tha Press with his indirect insinuation (re Wellington tonsorial art), because he has not yet struck the shop or tradesman that suits him, but keep seeking and he will surely find. I jjote he asks for help, with, in my opinion, a great deal of sarcasm of Wellington tonsorial art. I would advise him if he has any difficulty in getting “service” or “touch,” or flies kept off his nose while he is having his hair cut to his particular liking, to write to the secretary, Wellington Hairdressers’ and Tobacconists’ Association’ Incorporated, who will give him a list of tried and proved workmen who do not keep their saloons with a week’s clippings and dirty cotton wool on the floor, to receive auy customer. In conclusion, the . point I want to stress in my answer is his unfair insinuation re Wellington hairdressers. —I am, etc., J.R. Sir, —In some cases there is but a thin veil between innocence aud ignorance, but the letter that appeared in this morning’s "Dominion” cannot be called anything but ill-mannered ignorance, _ and that is not in the slightest degree akin to innocence. Being a well-satisfied client of a Wellington hairdresser, I was amazed and very much disgusted at the slur thrown on Wellington's barbers. “Strewelpeter’s” criticism —his reference to people who always go to Auckland for a haircut is really laughable. Such sheer nonsense is more in the line of the Marx brothers. When a man makes a complaint, why can’t he make it decently without making himself ridiculous? Vanity, apparently, is one of the lesser of 5 our correspondent’s failings. Let's take him seriously for a moment and see what we can find it very nicely lettered complaints. In clause (c), he wants his barber to take “a little bit off the top” without being asked to do so, and in clause (d) he asks to be given a cut that suits his “peculiar” type of' beauty. Now, ’’Strewelpeter,” will you kindly tell us poor ignorant Wellingtonians how ' the barber knows what type of cut you require unless he asks you or unless you tell him? His job is to cut to individual tastes, not to a pattern. It seems a pity ihat we were not all made to one pattern, that pattern, of course, being the ineffably vain “Strewelpeter.” If we were, the world would be a very funny place, taking it for granted that “Strewelpeter” is like his letter. The references to laziness, dirt and incompetence are in extremely bad taste. What is wrong with your correspondent? Is he merely peeved at the late rise in prices, or was he beaten 5 and 4 by a hairdresser during the holidays? Whatever the cause, his letter has given us the impression that he is an ill-mannered, badly-educated, rather nasty individual. He tells us he has travelled over most parts of the world —keep on travelling, “Strewelpeter,” we don’t like you and we don’t want you. One thing we can say about our critical visitors—they are always polite about it. You’re the first of the other description, and, unless you return, you’ll be the last. As far as recommending “Strewelpeter”to a hairdresser who fulfils his requirements, I could take him to twenty, but after that letter I daren’t take the risk of being seen with nim. A final word : If “Strewelpeter” had been much more particular in Jiis letter, a leading citizen of our much-maligued town could direct hint to a place where the people in charge cut lair. There lie will receive the closest attention, find the greatest clean’dress. and be given a “cut” where the barber will take more than “a little off the top” without being asked to do so I —I am, etc., TOM, DICK AND HARRY. Wellington, January 4. “Strewelpeter” Replies Sir, —My, oh my I I ieem to have started something! The speed at which your Wellington barbers can get going when aroused fills me with admiration. I take my hat off to you—metaphorically, not literally. You are all filled with surprise end indignation—splendid! You say it’s all tosh —excellent! But you don’t make your point. I am comparing hairdressing in New Zealand w.th hairdressing in other parts of the world. I can do so. because I’ve been to see. I suggest thac your letters have been written more in a spirit of misplaced patriotism than with any real knowledge of the situation. You cannot be expected to have a knowledge of barber shops in Tientsin or Berlin, but you may take it that the general average away above yours. However, the point of my'letter was not jifet a cussed outpouring of hate. I want to know of a good barber’s shop here. I still don’t know, though I scanned the personal column this morning in the slim hope that there' would be someone with enough initiative to invite me to try his saloon. Too bad. By the way, I hold no brief for Auckland. I’ve never had my hair cut there, and so I don’t know. I was merely repeating the remarks of three Wellington men. Meanwhile. I’m due for a haircut about next Saturday. What offers?—l am, etc..

“STREIWELPETER.” Wellington, January 5.