CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3048, 15 June 1926, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor)

Sir, —Mr. Hunt states his attitude towards the Town Hall very clearly when he says “I am up against any municipal body having a trading account." He : must be fully aware that the majority of public utilities, such as electricity, railways, insurance, gas, lighting and heating, abattoirs, libraries, etc. are now administered by some branch of government, either general or municipal. In the history of the 18th and 19th centuries we find many instances in England and America where charters were obtained by syndicates securing monopolies, particularly in water, gas,, and .electricity, and communities in those countries suffer to-day in consequence. The Dominion, profiting by the experience of the older countries, ensured that these commodities were exploited by the Government for the benefit of the whole populace; hydro-electricity being a prominent example. I would like to make clear that the establishment of a Town Hall and providing amusement and recreation for inhabitants of the Borough does not constitute a trading account, any more than does a library, abattoirs, or swimming baths. Municipal libraries in many towns are in competition (if such a word may be used) with privately owned circulating libraries, but. we do not hear a cry that municipal libraries should not be .carried on. To my mind any municipally-owned undertaking already established, like the Town Hall, which is an asset to the town and which has never cost the ratepayers one penny piece is to be extolled and not condemned in favour of a privately owned enterprise which only came into existence after the Town Hall had undertaken the function of providing for the amusement of: the citizens. Yours etc

Wim. TRUEMAN.

Sir, —I beg a little space in yonr paper in order to reply to Mi. Hunt’s letter in your columns on 12th June, 1920. His criticism is most interesting, but not very far-sighted. Had the Mayor and Council waited for the loan before they let the contract they would, in my humble opinion, be waiting yet. I congratulate the Council on their action, by far the most go-ahead piece of work that has been done in this town for a long while. All good wishes to them and best success with their loan. As to Mr. Hunt’s statement about “Paddy where he used to get behind the hedge to shoot the landlord, I beg to tell him frankly that he does not know what he is talking about. Had he been with me in Ireland in 1921, perhaps he would not be quite so eager to show such ignorance of a. state of affairs of which he knows nothing whatsoever. Yours etc.,

A KEEN OBSERVER.

Sir,—l was interested in the report which appeared in Saturday’s Herald of! the discussion whieh took place at the annual meeting of the Foxton Bowling Club in respect, to bowling on Sunday and Anzac Day. The law says that Anzac Day is to be observed as a Sunday and 'that all public sports are prohibited on that day. Independent of the private opinions of members, as a public club they should loyally abide by the decision of 'the legislature. As to Sunday play, this question has been a contentious matter in a number of clubs and in some cases the majority have given way to the minority rathei than offend the latter’s religious susceptibilities and in order to promote good fellowship and harmony. To endeavour to promote interclub games on Sunday is, in my opinion, sir, carrying the Sunday “roll-up” too far and if allowed, would cause trouble and be detrimental to the best interests of the club. There is a brotherhood among bowlers which possibly docs not exist to the same extent among other branches of sport and anything which should arise to destroy this companionship should be avoided —even if it does mean a little selfdenial. I hope, sir, that club members will not allow the recent differences of opinion to marr the good fellowship which slioud characterise this good old game, and

that the recent decision will be accepted by all in a 'true sportsmanlike spirit. Yours etc., UNITY.