CORRESPONDENCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 89, 17 April 1911, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE PROPOSALS OF MR. JOHN CREWES. TO THE EDITOB. Sir, — When the Government some years ago decided against the then agitation of the citizens for the use of the building on Mount Cook for higher education, it was generally, and yet is, understood that these would be utilised for a national museum. Therefore Mr: Crewes's proposals are thus belated in this_ respect ; and as for his proposal to utilise the same for an observatory plus the Carter bequest, let me state that some years ago there was an observatory thereon, and which Greenwich recognised (vide Natutical Almanack. But it is now some years also since it was removed therefrom, as the site was found most unsuitable for the purpose of an astronomical observatory, and it has not been again utilised by the Government for this purpose. How then can it be deemed suitable for similar purposes for the Carter bequest ? Surely the obtruding mountains on either side, and largely all around, prevent any such scieutific observation ever being taken therefrom of the important ephemera of the using and setting of astronomical phenomena. Moreover, the atmosphere of this neighbourhood is quite unsuitable for any such observations on account of the disturbances caused by the innumerable fumeroles of chimneys and the like, and this disadvantage is ever on the lncrea&e. Again, this site is unsuitable by reason of ground vibrations arising from the trade and traffic energies of such a growing city like Wellington. Therefore, what with ground disturbances and atmospheric ditto, what scientific value could any astronomical observations accrue from Mount Cook ? As to the removal of the Queen's statue from the area near the wharf and post office, Mr. Crewes's proposal is ad' verse to the very prime ethic which was recognised so decidedly when the authorities placed it where it is, i.e., sach a national statue snould be placed in the midst of and not away from the people concerned. If it was a statue of academic value only in some art or bcience the case might be different. But to remove a national monument to a site where only (comparatively) the few would go, and not the many, would be like laying the axe at the root df a, tree. Nevertheless, I commend Mr. Crewes 'or his boldness, and for his attempt to see the Carter bequest, etc., much more alive *than they are in some respects. I hope ochers will join in to help him •with more elbow grease, as he wishes. — I am, etc., E.F.J. Wellington, 11th April, 1911. SHODDY GOODS. p TO THE EDITOB. Sir,— l fully endorse Mr. T. Taylor's statements about the inability of an ordinary person to protect himself against any deception that is practised upon him [by boot sellers or manufacturers. I for one am th© victim of at least three firms of this city, who either wilfully or incidentally imposed on me and sold me rubbish. My girl of 14 went to buy a pair of shoes in one ol the biggest shops in the city, paid 12s for them, and in a, fortnight's time the uppers parted from the soles. My wife bought a pah' of leather slippers for 9s, and the leather proved to be perished, the uppers parting from the soles. I bought a pair of sandals' for the boy, being assured that they were all leather, while after a few, days I found out that the soles were all brown paper. Now how in the name of goodness is a man to protect himself against such practices? lam not a bootmaker, neither are my wife or girl ; we know very little about boots, but depend on the shopkeeper to sell us the proper article. The girl got another pair of boots, and in three weeks' time the uppers proved to be perished leathei. Of course the shopkeeper was surprised, and blamed something, but not himself. The motto of such shopkeepers seems to be: — "Fleece the public, get their money by hook or by crook, by fan means or foul, it doesn't matter , but get their money." I don'i mind paying a good price for a good article, but I object to being cheated. If I buy a. working shirt for 3s 6d I expect to get .one of good material, and what do I get? The first week it wears splendidly ; after being washed once or twice it gets rather thin, and after four or five weeks I can throw the thing in the dustbin, so thin, and shodciy it is. Cheated again. For the last two years I have paid 2d «<. pint for adulterated milk without cream, and if I want the cream I have to pay extra for it. Comment is unneoessarj . When eggs are cheap at Is a, dozen they are stored, and the public A & compelled to pay soon a higher price for them. Jam at 4d a tin is dirty coloured, sticky stuff, mixed with, tfugar to give it a sweet taste. And it is almost the same with any article you like to mention. Outrageous prices are demanded for .things not worth one-quarter of the Value. The idea is that a man has to work to fill the pockets of storekeepers. All those circumstances have to be taken into account by thoue- who are called upon to decide what really is a living wage in Wellington. — I am, etc. , DISGUSTED. Mitchelltown, 15th April, 1911. WHICH DAY? TO THE EDITOK. Sit, — After reading Mr. Kelly's letter, which stated that the present prosperity of Melbourne was due to the Saturday half-holiday, it seemed to me that a fctrong gase had been made out in favour of Saturday. Yesterday Mr. Seaton, with a letter containing statements which it is presumed he caa verify, literally knocks Mr. Kelly "off his perch." If towns like Dunediii, JNapier, Nelson, and Blenheim, so differently constituted and situated, have, after trial, proved Satuiday a failure, a rash man is he who would predict a success for Wellington. The inference to be deduced is. that that which is suitable to Melbourne is not applicable to New Zealand towns ad eundem. Ought we not to tie able to answer the following queries in the affirmative before taking the plunge? Will the change benefit traders ? Will it benefit • shop assistants? Will it benefit workers? Will it benefit the women and children? Will it encourage thrift? A"Vili the city gain? Will the railway and tramway traffic be as large? Will the assistant find playing grounds for their amusement? __Will it assist in reducing rentals? Will the cost of the necessities of life be not increased ? Will it assist sthe moral and religious life of the people. — I am, etc., ' DOUBTER. 12th April, 1911.