Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 314, 27 March 1928, Page 9

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

THE EAST COAST RAILWAY

Sir, — A letter which appeared in your issue yesterday signed “Rather Disgusted” calls for correction. The timetable operating from 30th inst. gives the following facilities: Passengers leaving , Auckland at 9.30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays arrive at Tauranga at 6.35 p.m. the same day. Passengers may leave Tauranga at 7.20 a.m. and 1.55 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and arrive at Auckland at 4.53 p.m. and 11.2 p.m. respectively. A train leaves Taneatua at 6.25 a.m’ and connects with the 1.55 p.m. train from Tauranga, thus enabling Taneatua passengers to make the through trip to Auckland on three days a week. Full particulars have been advertised. J. G. RICKERBY, District Traffic Manager^

“ON THE KNEE”

Sir,— In reply to your correspondent, Mr. Chas. Dailey, I would like to say that in itself “On the knee” is not a humiliating command, as it may seem to the layman. It was given in my time by the officer in charge when the men were' on parade. The men would drop on one knee, so that the officer could be seen while demonstrating any movement or criticising the drill. I was at the gunnery school in Portsmouth when Lieut. Collard qualified as a gunnery officer, and I know from my own experience that he was not exactly loved by the men, as he was arrogant and possessed little tact, which is essential to those in authority. I was very surprised to read in the account of the Royal Oak trouble published in The Sun that he had attained such high rank. The manner in which Lieut. Collard gave his first order, which was “On the knee,” antagonised the men and some refused to obey, but it was in reality the second order, “On the knee, you dogs,” which caused all the trouble. WHALE ISLAND.

MILITARY TRAINING

Sir,— 1 would like to draw attention, through your columns, to the latest action of the Military Department. I completed last year’s training by attending the camp in February and spending a day at the Penrose rifle range, when I completed my shooting practices. Last Friday I received a notice stating that unless I attended two night parades and two Saturday afternoon parades I would be prosecuted and classed as inefficient for the year. The first parade happened to be on Saturday last, which gave me only a few hours' notice. Unfortunately 1 had already made my arrangements for the week-end and much as I would have liked to waste an afternoon at Penrose, I was compelled to ?,? ny T myself that pleasure. Besides this I am a Varsity student, and as such am exempt from night parades having done three extra days in camp’ in lieu thereof. Again, when I first became a student I had only to attend a ten days’ camp. There were no half-day parades—our shooting being

done in camp. Now, however, we attend an 11-da3 r s’ camp (from Bth to 18th, travelling taking only a couple of hours each way) and in addition to this, numerous half-clay parades. This military training is rapidly becoming something more than a nuisance, and the receipt of notices such as I received is, to say the least of it, extremely annoying to the

RADIO PROGRAMMES

Sir, — Much has been said and written lately about the best available talent being used for broadcasting. I consider one of the most enjoyable programmes I have listened to from IYA was performed by the Artillery Band a few weeks ago. The music they played was ideal—not too solid, nor was it trash. The vocal items, too, were most suitable. It is variety that we want in radio programmes. What could be nicer to listen to than, say, eight voices joining with the band in some of the choruses of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operas, or any other light opera music? There is also some very nice music written for brass quartettes and trombone trios. I certainly think that brass band programmes of this kind should be broadcast at least once a week. I would like to suggest that a good musician be appointed to assist artists in selecting the numbers they intend to broadcast. By this method one could easily prevent so mans’ of the same songs being “put over,” and many of the instrumental items would never get to the studio. THREE VALVES.

HARBOUR SWIMMING

Sir, — In view of the growing popularity of harbour swimming, the following distances may be of interest to your readers: . _ Miles Point Chevalier to Devonport Wharf 6 Ferry Steps to Pine Island Wharf .. 81 Ferry Steps to Milford Beach (far end) g Ferry Steps to Brown’s Island .... 7 Ferry Steps to Whau Bridge loi Ferry Steps to Motutapu 9 Ferry Steps to Waiheke 13 Ferry Steps to Riverhead 12 Point Chevalier to Milford (far end) 117. Riverhead to North Head 15 Manukau Heads to Onehunga ... 16 "Waiheke to Coromandel Peninsula . . 14 SUBSCRIBER.

WASTE OF WATER

Sir,— It is a well-known fact that the garden hose is one of the most persistent wasters of water in Auckland. A while ago I bought a garden hose and asked for a leather washer to be included in the purchase. I was told I could purchase one at the plumber’s. I called upon a wholesale plumber. He had none, but would get some cut I ordered three dozen. Later, I was told the order had been passed on to the leather workers, and they had refused to cut them, as they would have to cut into a hide! Now, to show the crass stupidity of the thing. I may say that I live a few doors from a boot factory, and have seen large sacks of scrap leather being consigned

to the fire, from which a bey—omitting i the thick sole leather —might & ave i hundreds of washers with a hanim_ I and punch, to the benefit of all c | cerned. Now that the hose * s ! used for motor washing. I would s gest that water inspectors insifj HtTL seeing all hose pipes and forbid use unless washers are provided. Turningr to watering-cans: New land has yet to produce a can a push-on rose that is not spill as much water on the user a» the plants! _ T xrn F F ITJ-UE