Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 404, 12 July 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say—

(To the Editor.)

BRITISH MUSIC Sir, — It was with great pleasure that I read in this evening’s Sun that Auckland at last was to have a programme not only of modern (I note the word “contemporary”) music, but also one of all-British composers. A great deal of very fine work has been done in the last ten years, but one never, or rarely, hears any modern songs at' our concerts. I refer, of course, to Miss Amy Hansard’s recital to be given in Lewis Eady’s Hall on Monday next. Am I right in stating that this will be the first of its kind in New Zealand? I believe so, and would like to congratulate Miss Hansard and wish her success in her enterprise. MUSIC LOVER.

CREDIT WHERE DUE

Sir, 1 read with interest a report in The Sun regarding roads. The A.A.A. touring manager does not appear to have taken much notice of the greatly improved condition of the southern roads. The main roads, New PlymouthPalmerston, Palmerston-Wellington, both via Wairarapa and Manawatu, Palmerston-Napier, Napier-Gisborne, Napier-Taupo, arc in better condition than they have ever been. Heavy traffic, due to race meetings, etc., in wet weather, may affect them temporarily, but generally speaking at the present time they are in good condition, and reflect credit on those responsible for them. No back or main road anywhere in Hawke’s Bay could be found as bad as the main road from Henderson to Helensville. FAIR PLAY.

DEVONPORT FERRIES

Sir, — It must appear to many of your numerous Devonport readers that “A.E.C.” and “Alison’s Avenue” got what they deserved for turning out to the opening of the new ferry wharf on Saturday last. Your two correspondents should know that these occasions are hailed with joy as opportunities for indulging in mutual back-scratching ad nauseam, I was astonished to hear there were scores of residents who turned out to hear the bursts of rhetorical nonsense that were sure to have been turned on. The wharf, except for the fact that it is roofed in, offers no improvement on the old conditions; it takes an appalling time to unload the 5.10 p.m. boat, when one thinks of the time taken in similar circumstances on the old open wharf. Why do not “A.E.C-” and “Alison’s Avenue” take umbrage at the overcrowding which takes place on the 5.10 p.m. daily? Standing room is at a premium, and the scene in bad weather beggars description. The boat is literally packed to suffocation, far more so than on picnic days, when Customs officers are busy tallying the number of passengers going aboard. In accordance with regulations, life belts are there, but access to them is a totally different matter. The cabins are packed to capacity, there are seething hundreds on the top deck, and the companionways have two and three people on each step. Personally, in the event of an accident, I shall not worry

about a belt. I shall seize one of those enormous lifeboats perched on the roof and throw it twenty yards from the boat and swim after it. It is safe to say that an extra boat at 5 p.m. would have been far more acceptable than the new passenger wharf. CHAS. BAILEY. TOO MANY TIPS Sir, The iniquitous servility of the stewards attached to steamship services is creeping into our railway service. To-day we find our railway porters grovelling for tips. With the hungry celerity of a boat steward we find them snatching the bag and baggage of the railway passenger—and waiting obsequiously. The average railway passenger is assuming a “tip value.” The service extended to him is gauged in a strictly gratuitous cash value. So as the tip is measured so shall the sleeper bunk be made. “Clean your boots, sir?” means at least half a crown. “Call yer early in the morning, sir?” means a shilling. “Like a cuppertea in the morning?” means two shillings. In fact, the whole railway service at the present day is riddled with the tipping habit. The passengers suffer as a result. Service is being based on a strict tip basis. The railway service—and the public—are the losers. P. BIRKENHEAD AFFAIRS Sir, It would seem to be becoming a habit with our civic authorities to do their business in committee, and to persist in acting contrary to the wish of the largest section of the ratepayers. The following facts I feel sure will greatly interest those residents of Birkenhead who have not yet heard of them. Recently the ratepayers, by a large majority, refused to sanction two proposals of our council. In the face of this the council is now endeavouring to force the public to purchase what is know as “Shepherd’s Corner.” This is to be done per medium of the Municipal Corporations Act. For what is this land required? Our councillors, apparently, in view of the proposed purchase of playing areas and now this block of land are becoming imbued with the bug of land speculation. If .the Mayor would only deal with these and other matters in open council the ratepayers would have an opportunity of voicing their opinions. It is a fact though oft forgotten, that councillors are elected to carry out the wishes of the majority, not what they themselves personally desire. WIDE-AWAKE. TONGA AND FALCON ISLAND Sir.— A few weeks ago there appeared In your paper an account of an expedition to Falcon Island, in which was stated that "Tonga’s flag now flies from the topmost peak on Falcon Island." The following facts may be of interest to your readers. Early in the year 1593 Falcon Island

was visited by the Hon. the Premier of Tonga, “Josateke Toga V.,” accompanied by Mr. C. D. Whitcombe and other Ministers of the Crown. They planted the Tongan flag and declared the island part of his Majesty’s kingdom, Tonga then being under the rule of King George Tobou 11., the present Queen’s father. King George Tubou I. having died earlier in the year. A few weeks after the flag had been planted, a gang of prison labourers was sent over to the island and a few thousand coco-nuts were planted. These began to grow, but were later washed away. In the account that appeared in The Sun it stated that a large lake wua discovered in the centre of the island. It may be of interest to know that this lake was discovered on the island visited by the official party in 189** and on the side of the lake was found a bottle in which was enclosed a letter. The letter had been wr tten by two young ladies from Nukualofa —Miss EWatkin, daughter of the late Rev. JB. Watkin, and Miss Treskow. daughter of the late von Treskow, German Consul at Nukualofa—who were then travelling north, to the island of Yavau. The letter gave an account of a danc® or concert that had been held on board and was thrown over from tn« S.S. Upolu. in which steamer they wen? travelling. Just how the bottl% found its way into the lake is a mystery, bo - it must have been washed over when the island was very low in the waterThe island disappears. On May -J----1894, the three-masted schooner Tsai* (Captain Ross) came into NukuaJo*® from Northern Groups. The following is an extract from the official log the Ysabel. “April 19. 1594. All strong wind with rain. * a.m.. F r€ f * ened W„ a gale; reefed down; close hauled on port tack, EXE. 11 a.m„ Sighted Falcon bearing ENE. 5 miles distant, from mast head. Noon, Tacked. 2 miles distant, Huga Tonga heann»SE£. Falcon Island is now all wash ■ away, the bottom remaining. and . the appearance of a low streajt black rock, and would not be se € ® night except the sea was breaki (Signed). W. Ross. Master; i signer. C. L. Owen. Mate.” —.- Falcon Island is the name which given to the island which was up by a volcanic eruption in first sighted by H.M.S. Falcon. It in the southwest part of the Group, nearly in a line between T« and Kao (35 miles to the north) Huga Tonga and Huga Haapai miles to the south). The above is taken from old ** and will no doubt be of interes I those* who are interested about wonderful island. J. D. WHITCOMBE I Auckland.