CORRESPONDENCE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5010, 6 August 1926, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

SCOUTS QUEEN CAHN.IV AL.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —If some good Genii could suddenly rub the lamp and, in turn, present the various organisations of Paero'a with £3OO ©ih, the utterances of thanks would no doubt be worthy of record. One can almost hear the Benevolent Society, Beautifying Society, Public Baths Scheme, apd the numerous sports clubs expressing real appreciation.

For two- months- practically eveiy organisation has- had to mark time while .the Scout Committee has pursued its course. Are these organisations to wait indefinitely longer while a further effort is being arranged -to raise band funds, ? The carnival, should have been finalised with the coronation ceremony following within at least a week'of the final returns-. The public response to the Scout Committee’s appeal, has exceeded the most optimistic forecasts of any rational computator and placed within reach a. scout band. The cultivation of music will provide an interest for the boys,and besides helping thejn to appreciate gfitod music will give them a goal in life worthy of consistent study. It is the boys’ duty to leave no stone unturned to establish .a first-class organisation and it is the committee’s duty to regard the speeding of .the collected funds as- a public trust. To expend large sums (as in a gorgeous coronation ceremony) without a fair chance of return woMld become clearly a case o*f spending the collected funds in a way otherwise than 'raised for. The admittance far the public to a big ceremony, the wisdom df which has not so far been shown, should certainly be at a charge not exceeding, s-ay, Is, as a. mark of gratitude. Naturally, to meet this, the expenses must be low.

Your correspondent of Monday in his statement that 75 per cent, of the funds collected were raised outside of Paeroa is making a wild statement, considering the fact that no detailed returns, have been submitted from the secretaries of the three queens. His deductions-, also, in connection with, Paeroa’s share in the carnival are unquestionably “a’t s.ea,” when it is considered that the, organisation, the- brains—in other words the motive, power—combined with the spade work, were performed in Paeroa, by Paeroa people. Excluding the amounts in actual cash—in 'themselves a large sum —the loss of time and energy of a large band of local people surely deserves, something above sarcasm. The policy of the Scout Committee in fixing a fictitious sum and saying "this is what we waftt” dotes not savour of sound policy. Members, of practically every organisation in Paeroa put aside their own special efforts and stepped into line to assist the Scout cause. These people have been associated with many efforts, but their past will he as nothing, 'for, as ydur correspondent remarks, the coronation “is a good entertainment, which is. new to Paeroa.”

The Scout organisation requires men of foresight and clear reasoning, and men who with the plastic clay ■of youth in their hands can mould lives of Godliness and public responsibility permeated with the spirit of self-denendence. N.E.V.

ELECTRIC LIGHT I.NTERRUPTWNS.

Sir, —Might I ask what think the exponents of electricity over gas< now? While, the gas supply was in existence, we were assured df our lighting, but now, no sootaer does a paltry thunderstorm a ; rise than the electric power (in the Puke end o'f the town at sny rate) is sure, to fail. This most inconvenient and annoying thing has occurred 'repeatedly. 1$ it not possible to avoid this happening to make citizens and subscribers — compulsory subscribers under the option of the non-consumers’ rate —resort to confounded humbugging with candles and lamps ? The thing is not a, convenience when one dreads its ce.asing to function at every breath of wind that blows. It is a humbug. LUCIFER.