Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 256, 19 January 1928, Page 10

Citizens Say—

(To the Editor.)

“SUSTAINING A RIB” Sir, — I am pleased to note that The Sun does not fall into the popular mistake of calling - th© Japanese suicidal act “hari kari.” The correct use, of course, is “hara kiri.” Another of my betes noires is that dreadful expression “Mr. Smith sustained a broken rib.” I always imagine the ill-fated Mr. Smith bearing aloft in triumph half a rib in each hand. To me it is as distressing as a split infinitive. I have not noticed any “sustainings” in The Sun and for these and other mercies I give thanks. PURIST.

PETROL PRICES

Sir,— " Re tax on, and price of, motor spirits. I noticed in your paper that the price of motor spirits would be 2 s Id a gallon for first grade, and, I think, Is 9d for second grade, since the imposition of the tax. Now, sir, would you kindly let me know through your paper if that price is for New Zealand throughout? If so, there is something wrong somewhere, as anywhere you go down here it means 2 s 4d a gallon. MUTT. There is always a difference between city and country prices, retailers in the country adding carriage and such extras. A definite instance before the increase was that first grade in Auckland was Is 9d and in Warkworth 2s Id. The actual difference in country districts should be 4d on the prices ruling before the increase.—Ed. The Sun.

THE HOG AND THE ROAD Sir, — Excuse my delay in replying to “Motor,” and his misplaced personalities, but, like “Motor,” i do not “rush in where angels fear to tread,” if I am the “charming fellow” that “Motor” is not. All charming fellows are not fools; and your guessing or would-be humorous correspondent did not see me crossing Queen Street in the morning, reading a newspaper. The only local newspaper I read is The Sun,' in which I find all the news necessary (including jokes by such people as “Motor”) and I finish that in the evening. The “most elementary rules of commonsense” ought to tell “Motor” that because he “owns” a car he does not own the roadway, and that pedestrians have a right to cross it without being subjected to the risk of being knocked down by such as he. “Motor” makes another mistake when he guesses that I am not a pedestrian from choice. I am; and. I will continue to be a pedestrian before I put myself into such difficulties by the hire-instalment purchase of a car that I cannot pay my ordinary debts. And when I do buy a car—for cash—it will be a car, and not a man-killer, driven by a speed lunatic.

KIA ORA Sir,— The president of the Tourist League, speaking to a Sun reporter yesterday said that the placing of the sign “Kia Ora,” on the Campbell’s Point slope would add a novel touch and mentioned that on the new ferry building at Honolulu there is a sign “Aloha” which is most effective. I have never been to Hawaii, but whenever I think of it my imagination conjures up visions of flower-and lei-decked girls singing “Aloha” as the vessel draws away frofii the wharf. That word has almost become Internationalised. Why not let us try something of the kind with Kia Ora”? It is all excellent publicity—and publicity is what we need. I don’t see that there can be any bad taste in such a suggestion. If we listened to these fastidious people who are always prating about what “is done” and what “isn’t done” we should get nowhere. GO AHEAD.

SMOKING IN THEATRES

Sir,— I have been amused at the vehemence with which your correspondents iri this controversy have been attacking each other and smokers in general. It seems to me that the smokers, taking them as a whole, are the more eventempered. To me, as a smoker, the question of smoking in cinema theatres is one of complete indifference. I can wait two hours, or five, for my smoke —and enjoy it all the more. Still, I venture to say that there is a little fortune to be made by the theatre proprietor who first has the courage to announce: “Smoke if you wish.” I have recollections of many delightful evenings spent in the Kursaal in Cairo where one smoked and had iced bock brought to one in the stalls. OLD MAN JAZZ.

MOUNT ROSKILL AND TRAMS

Sir: I notice by the report bf the meeting of Mount Roskill Road Board last evening, that the Mount Roskill West Ratepayers’ Association suggests the advisability of considering a proposal to concrete a strip in the centre of the Mount Albert and Three Kings Roads, in our districL This idea if put into effect, will, of course, effectually block the possibility of trams ever running along these two roads.

This matter, as everyone knows, is a question to be decided by votes of raepayers, and as the association above mentioned represents only a very small proportion of the ratepayers of Mount Roskill West, its suggestion seems to me to be the height of presumption. “BLIND CONFIDENCE.” __ In next Column.)

THE WINDMILL Sir, — _ time axr I read in you paper some “? arm? that it was proposed to add twoJbe to The Windmill (it should necessary in Auck and to specif t f, e windmill). I always think preservation of this historic , which has seen Auckland Stow len . scatered collection of houses to w hict did city, is one of the th ;n SS _ give us reason for real pride. n jd dition of the two extra »»- certainly add to the P* < ? t }* re^ d looks pearanee of the mill, which iM , » as if Don Quixote had been havm| tilt at things. CERVANTES. It is the intention of the windmill to erect the four sails a -j-t* as he can obtain suitable timberkind of timber required is uwwhich is generally used ‘PIP. 'n takin* tion of that part of a windmill irei _ the greatest strain. The sizerq long _. 13 inches square by 33ft. °r 3«t. . uin . makes the timber very d ifficuK __ olir in* but the owner of the mill is en to place an order in America and & —Ed., The Sun.