CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2290, 8 September 1908, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Corresp9ndence on public matters is welcomed at -all times, but it must be distinctly understood that this journal is in no way associated with the opinions of its correspondents.] > PERSONAL VERACITY. [To the Editor.] Sir, —I think it is oiHy justice to myself I should be permitted to point oiit the absurdity of your correspondent L. A. Sharland’s charge against me of making''a “deliberate untruth” ill liis letter of the 3rd inst. People as a rule when stating a deliberate untruth have some purpose or hope to derive some advantage and I fail utterly, as anyone would fail, to see what purpose I had and what advantage I hoped to receive by making out that L. A. (Sharland offered to bet me for £25 instead of £5. He knew perfectly well it was not a deliberate untruth, but only a slip of memory, as he himself suggested I should look up his letter. —1 am, etc., “WHAT NOW.” NEW BRIDGE WANTED. [To the Editor.] Sir, —Some time hack there was under discussion the necessity of a bridge connecting Whataupoko with Kaiti. It was one of the plank® in the new mayor’s platform, but it has evidently been forgotten. This “Tai- : ho a” policy seems to overlap everything in connection with the work of public bodies in Poverty Bay. Now, it seems to me disgraceful that two such large and flourishing suburbs as Kaiti and Whataupoko, with only a narrow stream between them, should, compel people who -may have business to go' from one place to the other to have to walk into Gisborne, a mile or two our of their way. To tho members of the Borough Council I would say, “if you cannot afford to put up a substantial bridge, put up a light suspension bridge that will be available for foo-t passengers, or it might be made strong enough to lead a horse or drive a mob of sheep oyer. Just look at the advantage of taking sheep to the works from Whataupoko! You keep out of tho traffic aud have one bridge less to cross. Why, about £250 would do the whole thing. We hear a, lot about Gisborne forging ahead, but when one sees a necessary work like this being left undone we have not much to “blow” about.” Hoping to see the question considered beforo long, —I am, etc. “G. J. B.” THE “LAMBING-DOWN” CASE. (To the Editor.) Sir, —Your correspondent “Britisher” is quite up a tree iu his suminings, as he has been all along in his arguments. The hand and voice are both' “Jacob’s.” No, Sir, I will not admit that “the trade” pays well, or are more liberal (except to themselves) than other trades. * Then, Sir, “Britisher” must have lost his mental balance when calling the “hashing out of brains,” “throwing children on the fire,” etc., “Sport.” Sir, it as shocking that any person could -treat such a grave subject with such levity. The poor besotted drunk, driv- ‘ en to delirium by drink, may have thought it sport while the delirium lasted, but when the fit of delirium was over, when the poor drink-demen-ted man came to himself lie did not think it was sport, I can assure you. Sir, Gisborne lias already become a byword on account of the drunkenness to be seen in our streets. Commercial men tell me they know of no other place as bad as this; then the number of young men and lads one meets on the streets here is quite alarming. They are so common and people have become so accustomed to the sight that the matter is treated with indifference by most people, though I trust the very strongest disapproval will be shown by the electors when the time comes by voting this liquor business right out of existence. “Looker On” may call- me ' enthusiast, faddist, or anything else, I care not. I am in this fight for God, for home, and humanity. I want to see :i clean town, clean, strong, healthy manhood; clean politics, both Parliamentary and municipal. Sir, this will never be brought about until tho liquor traffic is swept away, for there is no traffic liiorc debasing and corrupting than the liquor. Just one more point, Mr. Black has wto out like a true mail, a Teal Britisher, no shame about him. Now, Sir, if tho hotelkeepers are in earnest I would suggest that they each and all give Mr. Black .and yourself an indemnity against any proceedings being taken if the information pub' fished by you proves to be true. If they are willing to do this they will prove to tile public they are not playing bluff.—J am, etc., FRANCIS STAFFORD.;