DIAMOND HARBOUR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16487, 28 February 1914, Page 12

DIAMOND HARBOUR.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The ridiculous sense of indignation expressed by a correspondent m yesterday’s issue of your valuable paper, is most amusing to those who know the true facts of the case, which are as follows: Last Saturday, two extremely young men, who, by all appearances could not have yet reached the age of sixteen, sailed across to Diamond Harbour, and, scorning the regular officials, asked a lady wearing a blue ribbon, who evidently was a member of the Y.W.C.A. conference, whether they could obtain afternoon tea at the hostel. This lady, being a visitor, and possibly misunderstanding their request, informed them that the hostel was private for ten days, omitting to state that afternoon tea was available for the general public on the verandah and that many were availing themselves of same. But I would like to say, at this juncture, that tho hostel has always been private, for no person would board at a place where tho public has a free run, even though it is publicly owned. If these two boys had gone to the trouble of asking one of the officials, they could have, like the rest, obtained their desire, but . instead .of this they returned to port in a childish rage and gave a public exhibition of their ignorance by rushing into print with their trouble.

Their • insinuations with reference to Mr Walker deserve the utmost contempt of the ratepayers, for all who have seen the wonderful improvement of Diamond Harbour since the time of his taking charge, cannot have failed to appreciate the good work done by this gentleman. I would very much like to know on what grounds they make the statement when referring to. the estate, viz., “ The concern for which we are paying,” because I am certain that neither of the two persons concerned have paid one farthing of rates in their lives.

In conclusion, I would like to say that I would not have deigned to answer “ Indignant’s ” paltry and frivolous letter, only, as one who likes justice and fairplay, I could not let such ridiculous nonsense go unchallenged.—l am, etc., TE WHAKA. Lyttelton, February 27.. 1914.