Public Opinion

Southland Times, Issue 24228, 11 September 1940, Page 7

Public Opinion

SMOKE IN HALL To the Editor Sir,—Please inform “Non-Smoker” that some ventilation in the form of an open window would lessen the smoke in the Drummond hall which smarts his eyes and possibly makes him sick. Personally, I think that there must be something wrong with a man who does not smoke. Mark you, I do not allude to those noble people who can smoke and who can give up the habit. If the lads in the Drummond hall want to smoke and thereby increase tax receipts, why should a. minority object? The people smoke in England’s picture theatres and, for that matter, in the music halls and in some of the theatres also. Do we in New Zealand lag-behind? Smoking in a public hall or theatre is a comfort to many. It necessitates efficient ventilation. In colder climates a supply of warm, fresh air is needed. Thereby a disadvantage to a few can be an advantage to all. Many an English picture theatre has expensive carpet on the floor. Would this be there if the management couldn’t trust the smokers? I think we want more of this trust in New Zealand — Yours, etc., . TOLERANT. September 10, 1940.

A BLOCKED STREAM

To the Editor

Sir, —For over two years I have been trying to get the Highways Board to clean out the creek just past our property, but instead of doing so the board has dug a hole just under the bank and put the soil nearby into the middle of the stream. When told of it the surveyors said that the water will soon wash the soil away. Where? On Friday one of Mr Semple’s big bulldozers went through the creek cutting down the banks, leaving the soil in the middle of the creek and damming up the stream for miles. Yet you, sir, ask us to . increase production. The same old tale: Don’t do as I do, but do as I tell you.—Yours, etc., F. TOTHILL. September 9, 1940.