THE PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17684, 23 July 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sis, —Now that the peace celebrations axa ended, I think that it is only fair that soma of the aspersions that have been cast at the employees at the Hillside Workshops should be wiped off the slate. : Apparently the Mayor was advised by someone in authority that our men int?nded to interfere with the picture theatres on Friday evening. One of our staff was informed on the same evening by the manager of one of the prinoipal firms in George street that our men were going to interfere with his business.

On behalf of the whole of the employees in the Hillsida Railway Workshops, I must state that these rumours are anything but pleasant to a, number of law-abiding men, who are anxious to give up their own time to amuse the public and do what they can to further the interest of any patriotia movement. —I am, etc.,' A. J. MOBKISON, Chairman Demonstration Committee,

Sib, —It is the just due of the Peace 1 Celebrations Committee to receive from tho public its heart.est congratulations upon tho splendid success of the arrangementa carried out under tbo committee's supervision. Dunedin might well be proud of her share in the Empire's rejoicing. Our processions, decorations, and illuminations were wall conceived and equally well carried out The handling of our huge procession wa3 a distinct success and a credit to- the organisers. To the Celebration Committees we owe our gratitude for the work it has carried out on our behalf. —I am, etc., July 21. ' A. E. Anseh.

Sib,—l consider that in many instancca in tho Peace Celebrations, both on Sunday and Monday, the children were imposed on. In some of the Sunday schools addresses were delivered on Sunday by clergymen, who spoke in measured tones and in heavy language on the connection between the war, peace, and religion. I exclude the clergyman who acted tho methods of worship adopted by the members of tribes whom ho had met. Ho certainly amused! and interested the' small minds.

I desire, however, to mako more pointed referenoe to what took place at some of the children's entertainments on the Monday. The children ware assured beforehand thai this was to be a red-letter day in their lives. Maybe it will be, but not in tho way that was' intended. At the demonstration in the Drill Hall in the afternoon Mr Solomon delivered an address on tho very weighty subject " Mens Sana in Corpora Sano." Mr Solomon said he " knew that they all wanted to enjoy themsolveß by listening to bands, songs, and funny stories, and not to old men making speeches So he promised them that what ho had t«' say would be very short." You, .Sir, hav< reported his " short" speech to tho extent of a column of small type. I presume tbs speech was condensed in the report. I met some children who were at the demonstration. One little girl said she ceroid not hear Mr Solomon at all; a small boy had a vague impression that somebody delivered a speech, but he was not sure. Everyona of the children, however, could tell me about tho iokes and whimsicalities of the showmen of tlia Messrs Fuller Company. Then I notice that Mr K. Haworidg« gave an address to tho children at Ravensbourno on the advent of tho Teutons, tha Huns, eta I am surprised at Mr Haw cridge. Ho certainly knows his "Pete* Pan." At other schools and other places short addresses were delivered by various speakers.—l am, etc., Caoobthes LoQTrEnux.

THE T7NTVEESITT COUNCIL. TO THE KDITOS.

Sir, —The public owes your paper a deep debt of gratituao tor your leading ivrticlo acprecut-iig tuo secrecy practised by the university Council in tne discussion of its amurs. xour correspondent, L»r Jt'itzgerald, suould also be uiauh.ea tor tnat a meeting of the Medical Association be colled to discuss the act-on ot tne council, x'lie pioporty in King street contains a poo; class ot dwellings, and could bo purchased at a very lair prioo, and lor the purposes of cither a medical school or hospital its value would be very groat. We ore likely to havo a large numibcr of soldiers on oar hands for a number of years for medical science to deal witn, and up-to-date premises should bo erected for their comfort and in closo touch with tho main hospital. I hope that Dr Fitzgerald will not allow this matter to fall through.—l am, etc, SoLrtTKa.