Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 259, 23 January 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

WATER PLAY Sir,— We hear so much about shortage of water in the city that one wonders why the City Council allows such waste. This morning at about 8.30 people were watching the water waste at the top of Richmond Road. A water hydrant was fixed on and left running at full, and during this time hundreds of people passing were remarking about the waste. Thousands of gallons of water flowed freely down the street. One wonders why we see people prosecuted by the City Council for using a little precious water on the gardens—and the following day see this water waste. RATEPAYER. Owing to complaints about street cesspits becoming offensive water is being poured into them. The trouble at Richmond Road was that, when the hydrant was turned on the ball inside jammed, and could not be released until assistance was secured from the workshop. Hence the apparent waste of water.—Editor, The Sun. BUCKLAND ROAD BUSES Sir,— The inconvenience and annoyance to which people dependent upon the Buckland Road service buses are subjected was further exemplified this morning when a double breakdown occurred. The 7.20 conveyance broke down in The Drive and passengers were required to wait some considerable time before another bus was procurable, owing to the one which should have followed the 7.20 to the city being out of action near Symonds Street on the outward trip. Eventually a bus arrived and in a short space of time it resembled the proverbial sar-dine-tin. Crush and hustle was the order of the day. Women hung on by straps and men by the skin of their teeth on the steps. What the travelling public wants to know is, how long is this deplorable state of affairs going to last? There may be something in the hint given by a motors man that the council does not want to repair the buses. The more they break down the sooner will the public take to the trams and the service'can be discontinued. What a wise council; but what about the long-suffering travelling public? DISGUSTED. THE HARBOUR BRIDGE Sir, I think we have a right to feel aggrieved at the Prime Minister turning his back on a project which has become a universal topic of conversation on the North Shore. Mr. Coates can know nothing about conditions here, as he has never visited any of the four centres to learn the position before giving such as emphatic epjsign.

When one thinks of the miles and miles of country which would be speedily snapped up by people wishing to live “over the water,” to say nothing of the progress to the boroughs themselves, one is lost in the immense possibilities of this very feasible scheme. However, Mr. Moore *is not alone when he says he doesn’t fear the Prime Minister’s cold douche. Canute couldn’t keep the tide back, and I don’t believe Mr. Coates is going to keep the bridge back. As to ways and means. I believed, and still believe, that a gigantic lottery would meet with the approval of the big majority of peoples and even those who are against art unions would no doubt drop their prejudices for once and join (under a nom de plume even), in helping to pay for what will benefit everyone, and add nothing to tire rates and taxes. I really think Mr. Coates only said "I will” once—and that was in church. FLORENCE WORTHINGTON. Takapuna. “NEW SONGS PLEASE” Sir,— In answer to “The Same Old Things” I would like to state that I heartily agree with your correspondent, and deplore the fact that new songs are not given more of a chance in New Zealand. It is not because new songs are not procurable, for I have seen two new numbers recently published by a local writer; and am satisfied that they are quite in order for both singer and public. I feel sure the publisher would be only too pleased to present any public singer with a copy before they have time to accumulate the usual English and American whiskers. LOCAL* TALENT PREFERRED. “MOTH-EATEN BALLADS” Sir,— I was delighted to read the letter of “New Songs Please.” It is high time someone raised his voice in protest against the moth-eaten ballad habit. It seems that the procedure is this: Mr. X is asked to sing in public. He consents, and three minutes before performing asks himself what he shall sing. Deciding that he has not time to do justice, in the three minutes’ rehearsal time at his disposal to a new song which has been given to him for Christmas, he decides that “there are no songs like the old songs” (Cheers from the Great British Public) and “obliges” with “I Know a Lovely Garden,” and “A Perfect Day.” In response to a vociferous encore he sings “The Trumpeter,” by which time those who have tears to shed have shed ’em by the bucket. Some form of Statute of Limitation should be imposed demanding that all ballads (not classics of song and opera, be it understood) over 10 years of age, should be turned out to grass, to join “In the Gloaming” and “Just an Hour at Twilight.” FED. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS W.R.B. —Your letter would start a raging: controversy; one not altogether *2 PS desired—Ed, fti# Sun,