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Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2904, 2 July 1925, Page 2

(To the Editor)

Sir. —Apropos of milk-floats, chariots, Victoria Park, and one or two other little tilings like that, with your indulgence I would like to participate in the instructive controversy at present featuring your scientific column. I refer to the frightfully intriguing discussion on utilitarianism versus beautification. There are, among other things involved, the vital economic feature, the problem of appearances, and the art of seeing. In deference to your valuable space the “economic*’ feature must be left to the control of limitations, which brings us to the problem of appearances. Now, Mr Editor, “Hindi I y Mush" would be a nice one to send for milk. Apart from that, I consider your correspondent very unfair in thrusting at the Borough Council, since they may not necessarily he “wasting their fragrance on the desert air.” Again, if the Borough Council were not “there” when stars were given out, it’s rather unkind to blame them for “hitching their wagon" to the Beautifying Society. Mr Mush is hold indeed in wording the wise with “Verhttm Satis Sapient!.” Tr would serve him right if the Borough Council were to rear up and say: “Honi Soit qui mal y Pong!” In lliis enlightened age scientists still uphold the theory that electric telegraphy was not unknown to ihe Pharoahs, because wires have been found in the land of good King Tut. Thus we have the human tendency to trust so much to appearances. Your correspondent, “Fragrance,” refers to travellers visiting- our town. Well, travellers like all humans, are ever suspicious of innovations, however beautiful: human nature is a conservative institution. But before taking your readers further into my confidence. I must — at this critical stage —appeal to them to draw their own conclusions very carefully; a little knowledge is so fraught with danger. The fact is, Sir, and I hate to say it, lmt rumour says the police are in this chariot conspiracy with the Borough Council and the Beautifying Society. Rumour also has it that money is lhe root of this evil. However, once upon a time a motoring traveller drove past Victoria Park (being modest. I say “drove.” Actually he flew). It. was a rattling good cat Ford, I think, was the make, if there is a ear of that name. Otaki, his destination, was his first stop. Nowadays, when the oldest inhabitants stalk forth o' nights to sit on the garbage tins for their homely discussions, there is one bewhiskered biped, I hear, who never tires of thrilling his envious listeners with how he ran the gauntlet “up the line" where (unknown to him) the police, the Borough Council and the Beautifying Society manufactured a speed trap for unwary motorists by conspiring to defraud them with tin* aid of the. Municipal speed-ac-celerating perfumery. Foxtonians, sneak up cunningly to the Park and quiz for yourselves. You may lack proofs, though you will agree with an ancient motorist, who seemed to think there was “something in the wind.” —I am, etc., TYNN DISIIE.