Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 176, 15 October 1927, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

WATER UNDER AUCKLAND Sir, — About a fortnight ago you dealt with the water supply of Devonport, and the probable continuous supply from Lake Pupuke, and its likely source. I have waited to see if some authority would say something about it. I am of the opinion that the source is on this- side of the water. Right out under the harbour there are great stores of water, and beneath Auckland also. Several years before the war I met an experienced water-diviner, and speaking of the geological formation of the Auckland Province, he said: “Do you know there are two underground streams of water that cross under Auckland harbour and find vent somewhere on the other side?” I was told some years ago that when men were sinking a well 1,500 feet deep under premises in Queen Street they came upon a river running at the bottom of the shaft. Other evidence may be adduced to show that there is a great store of water under the city of Auckland. J. GRACIE. Edendale. LABOUR AND UNEMPLOYMENT Sir,— So "Anti-Claptrap” still persists in his opinion that Labour is to blame for the present distressing state of affairs in the Dominion. He makes no attempt to explain why the Government is innocent and the Labour Party guilty,of the crime of bringing poverty and misery to thousands of men, women, and children. He states that Labour’s part is "clear to us all”; it certainly it not clear to me, and X doubt if he can even attempt to prove his contention. A "theory” it surely is, too theoretical altogether for practical folk who require facts. Recent reports in your paper show that our Labour members are fighting hard to have the proposed tariff revised, with the object of protecting the workers and providing employment. The Minister for Customs, on the otturr hand, is reported as saying In reuly to Mr. W. J. Jordan, Labour M.P. for Manukau, who objected to the removal of protection for Hew Zealand f'xtiles, that “he did not think that tl# state-’ ment that higher protection would furnish more employment was good ground for increasing the duty.” What has “Anti-Claptrap’’ to answer to this? The “well-balanced, kindly disposed people” of Auckland city and suburbs, who send six Labour men to represent them in Parliament, and those of Raglan, who voted for Mr. Lee Martin, will not be led astray by “Anti-Claptrap’s” wild theories. ZEALANDIA. NAMES STILL WANTED Sir,— Mr. C. E. Major attempts to justify “A.E.C.” in not disclosing his name. In so doing, he departs from the truth, for he says "A.E.C.” has “worsted” me, and lam “in defeat.” After the way in which I worsted and defeated “A.E.C.” and Mr. Major in the Bible in schools controversy, they seem to be still “sore,” Both “A.E.C.” and Mr. Major make personal reflections upon me, insinuating “disguise,” “evasion." “lack of honesty,” and then audaciously call this “a purely impersonal controversy.” It is almost a waste of time arguing with persons so perverse. It is not that I “won’t play,” but I demand that “A.E.C." and “C.EAI.” shall play the game, and play fair. It was the fact that I began this correspond - ence with an attack upon Sir Arthur Keith which made it right for me to sign my name. I came out into the open, but ‘A.E.C.’’ attacked me from behind cover, and he confesses that he is afraid to meet me in the open for fear of losing his job. But he does not mind how much he hurts my business by his anonymous attacks. Your correspondents should know that the Darwinian theory of evolution, which was simply a supposition, is sadly out of date. Advanced scientists have left Darwin far behind. Also, the fallacy

of Draper and Spencer in supposing that science and religion may be divorced, and are in conflict, has been exposed. The ‘‘reconciliation” of science and religion, which Spencer vainly sought in agnosticism, or rather in nescience, is seen to be unnecessary in the light of advanced science, which is unable to differentiate between matter and spirit. J. G. HUGHES. THE BETTING MANIA Sir, Most sensible citizens concede that betting on horse races is about the limit of human folly. The consistent punter is bound to lose and if any of the optimists who seek to improve the breed of horses by supporting them on the totalisator are still unconvinced, I would commend to them a study of the result of the racing competition conducted last week by your popular newspaper. Students of racing form were invited to predict the winners of seven races and they had till 11 o’clock on the morning of the race, when the weather conditions were to make their selections. One competitor out of some thirty odd thousands was able to anticipate the success of five horses and only 23 succeeded in tipping four firsts! One often hears of the lucky individual who claims to have backed several winners, but nine times out of ten. he is merely proclaiming his membership of the Ananias Club. I am not writing as a kill-joy who is down on gambling (which I regard as a very human failing, and one common to nearly all mankind), but merely to emphasise the extent to which the odds are against the bettor. TE MONANUL P.S.—Fortunately, I had a ticket on Hipo, so I came home from the course feeling that I really knew something about ‘‘form” myself! T. M. MAKING THE YOUNGSTERS PAY Sir, — I would like to make it known, through your valuable paper-, that Mr. J. A. C. Allum is decidedlv wrong—and Mr. V. H. Potter, M.F., is perfectly right, when he says there is great dissatisfaction over increase of fares and inadequacy Oi. travelling facilities. When the buses were to be taken off the road members of the City Council guaranteed there would be no increase in fares under 1:2 months. And I remember quite distinctly Mr. H. G. R. Mason, Eden, saying: “Is there any guarantee that fares will not go up?” The reply was: “There will be no change whatever.” And here we are, in less than 12 months, with fares raised four times. Is it any wonder loan polls are a failure when there is so much “kindness” toward the public? This las: increase in tram and bus fares is outrageous. I am thinking of young people having to pay five and six shillings out of their small earnings for concession cards, which makes a big hole in their wages. Who knows what many of the young people have to do in their home with that small wage? As for concession cards, for the slight difference made in some instances, the expense of printing them might be saved. I am fully convinced Mr. Potter has hundreds ready to support him in his statements which are to the point. The City Council will not run a bus to the suburbs and will net allow a private concern to do so. If the council fails to make it pay, why should it stand in the way of another man trying his luck? In 'conclusion, I would say to Mount Roskill: Be wise: manage your own affairs; keep out of the city.” DISGUSTED RATEPAYER. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS C.H.G. —You make some very grave statements in your letter whieh you ask us to publish over your inirials. W T e would need to receive full particulars of your case before we could consider publication.—Ed., THE SUN. K. —Your letter has appe-ared in another newspaper.—Ed., THE SUN.