Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 249, 11 January 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

THE TASMAN FLIGHT Sir, — , What a Government we possess! Here we have two airmen endeavouring to open the way to the future of aviation in New Zealand, and our Government sits back and slumbers. Mr. Coates kindly sent the pioneers of the Tasman flight his best wishes, but it would have been much more in his favour if he had sent the four warships now resting at anchor at Devonport to patrol the seas for a day prior to, and following, the flight. It would have been a graceful act, too, if the Government had lighted beacon fires and sent up rockets as soon as nightfall descended yesterday, instead of waiting until the airmen were hours overdue. These two men, with enough petrol to carry them 1,700 miles at the most, cover 1,200 miles to reach New Zealand, and with darkness on them must expend the remainder before morning. Where are they? If they have come to grief on the coast, miles from anywhere, it is going to be difficult to locate them. Perhaps next week, if the airmen are not located the Government will send one warship to sea, and a search party over the country. BEACON LIGHT. NO FLIGHT NEWS Sir, — .1 As an enthusiastic listener to IYA, Auckland, could I be permitted to ask the reason why, last evening, at a time when history was being made for New Zealand by two of her gallant sons who as pioneers of the Tasman flight were risking their lives. Auckland listeners were compelled to have their ears offended by what must be admittedly one of the worst programmes ever offered, and yet throughout the whole evening no mention was made of the progress of these brave men? At the end of the evening’s entertainment a brief announcement was made that no advice had been received and that the night’s thought was, “Books are embalmed minds.” After last evening’s behaviour of the powers that be at ITA, I, for one, am quite sure that it would be sheer waste of time embalming any of the minds in the large building in Karangahape Road. EARPHONES. THE BATTLE ON THE AIR Sir, — I think it is high time the Post and Telegraph Department or the Broadcasting Company took some steps to prevent the oscillating valve menace; that is if they wish broadcasting to survive in New Zealand. Last evening I decided to listen in to Wellington for an evening’s entertainment. With a six-valve neutrodyne set I tuned in at 8 p.m. and I can honestly say that I did not hear one item properly the entire evening. Some items were hardly recognisable through the war that was in progress. The howling and squealing was so intense at times as to make my loud speaker rattle. One offender was well above the others, and it was obvious that several were trying to choke him off bv making their sets oscillate in return. I began to wish my set was a regenerative one, so that I could join in the “offensive.” It is useless to attempt fo listen to Australia now. for immediately IYA closes down the battle begins. NEUTRODYNE.

DEFENSE DE FUMER! Sir, —• Why is it that in New Zealand smoking in theatres and picture houses is not permitted? Visiting one of your city’s leading kinemas the other evening I settled down to enjoy the programme —and, prompted by habit, got out my pipe and lit up. In a moment a girlish voice whispered the apologetic information that “smoking, is not allowed in the theatre, sir.” Much astonished, I complied, and for the first time noted that I alone had transgressed. But, sir, why transgressed? In cinema houses in England., on the Continent, and in many American States smoking is quite the thing. One lights one’s cigarette or gets out one’s pipe just as naturally as New Zealanders buy sweets. Fogging the projector light or staling the atmosphere were advanced as reasons for this “defense de fumer” rule in your theatres. These, sir, are mere bogeys that smack of another age. To have to sit unsoothed for two hours and a-half through a picture show to me is unendurable. Though to the fore in the van of progress in many respects this little country is surely behind the times as regards comfort for its picture patrons. MR. BALDWIN. SOLVING TRANSPORT PROBLEMS Sir, — The following may serve to indicate a method by which transport problems of Auckland may be solved to the satisfaction of all concerned. It is safe to assume that the only concrete suggestion yet before the public is that made by the City Council, of a guarantee of Is 6d a bus mile by local authorities. This suggestion has been turned down. It would be interesting to know how the Is 6d is arrived at, but one thing is quite certain: a considerable portion represents depreciation of capital invested, rather than conservative hire allowance. It is fairly obvious that considerable allowance has been made for repairs and upkeep of buses and workshops, etc. Assuming we are correct in our deductions, is it reasonable to expect local authorities fo refund to the city, in the form of a Is 6d guarantee, capital invested by the city in acquiring the private services which were giving satisfaction to all except the tramways department? Since we may accept this as a fairly accurate survey of the general position, the following will probably appear as reasonable as the other is unreasonable: A City and Suburban Bus Transport Board should be formed with equaJ representation from each local authority concerned, including the city as one authority, but with an independent chairman from the City Council. This board to act independently and to form no part of the Tramways Committee. The board to hire from the City Council buses and drivers at a rate to be determined bv the board or its advisers. The board to arrange an adequate feeder service and to maintain same for a fixed period, not less than one year. Profit or loss accruing on running buses to be assessed as a whole and shared equally by all authorities concerned, including the H.T.

With a frontage of 200 ft to Graft® Road and 107 ft to Carlton Gore Koato the area of ground covered may be judged. Particularly imposing the entrance which is surmounted * an elaborate archv.-ay done in oak. j circular stairway off the entrance goaccess to the upper floors. ... Something new is promised ’■** an enclosed garden, which w m surrounded by cloistered walks. 1 brick and stone columns will nse regular intervals through wn ~~~ glimpses of the gardens will be and which will be specially laid and cared for. Abutting fr o ™ walk will be the library, and will take up the entire Carlton Gy™ Road frontage. Gothic tracery dows will add a distinctive ana *v propriate tone to the entire stnictur& The remainder of the ground will be devoted to class rooms, cow mon rooms and staff rooms. . The study-bedrooms, another feature, combining study and rooms will be 18ft by 10ft and m floor, each being finished with e* care to comfort and convenience, some cases the average size orooms will b 18ft by 10ft and m remainder they will average 911 10ft. There are 33 of these room*. The constructional work does end with the college. A harms’ two-storeyed structure of the material as the college is erected at the rear of the main do—ing for the principal, wllll e spacious grounds will be turned playing areas and tennis courts. Provision is also made ftor future extension of the main bm It is expected that the strn will be completed in eight or __, tei months. Messrs. Coombs and Dunedin, are the architects, an A. RavcLihall is the contractor.