Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 400, 14 July 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

KINDNESS TO DUMB ANIMALS Sir, May I, through these columns, be allowed a small space to thank the gentleman (?) who callously ran over a valuable dog at Onehunga, Thursday afternoon, near Arthur Street, and who took good care to drive on quickly so he would not be known. Although perhaps an accident, would it have hurt him to spare a few minutes of his time to stop and ascertain to what extent he had injured the dog? Had it not been for the kindness of a stranger, a young man, who went to the trouble of finding the owners, that poor animal would have lain in agony for hours, as he could not move. There are still some good friends in this world, even to the humble animal, commonly known as “only a dog.” THE OWNER.

FOUR PARLIAMENTS

Sir,— A member of the Ulster Parliament, Mr. C. Healy, suggests there should be four provincial Parliaments in Ireland. Their existence would not be a bar to national unity, but on the contrary would make for efficiency and economy in administration. There were 22 Parliaments in Switzerland, five in Australia and about 40 in the United States. No one would agree that the existence of these Parliaments was a menace to the national unity of those countries. “Many of us,” he added, “would leave our Parliament in Belfast as long as it was considered for local purposes, and had no control over Imperial taxation.” Speaking personally, I have known many Ulstermen who think this idea of four Parliaments a sound proposition. We should remember that a united Ireland was the hope and ideal of the Protestant patriots Mitchel, Marten, Hamilton, Rowan, and many other patriotic Irishmen. CLAN-CON AD.

THE HARBOUR BRIDGE

Sir, “N. Sh. Ore” seems to be very much against the Harbour Bridge scheme and prefers to await the flying boat. Well, I think that most people would prefer to stick a little nearer to the earth when travelling. I am sure that land and bridge transit will always cater for the vast bulk of the population. How many flying boats would it take to transport the thousands of people who patronise Takapuna beach and the other beaches on the Northern shore, or, say the racecourse. What a nice little hornet’s nest there would be with these thousands of flying boats buzzing around endeavouring to land, I am afraid that many would have their wings badly clipped. But with the bridge to carry the traffic to the Northern shore thousands of people who now motor in other directions would gladly avail themselves of the beauties of these fine beaches. The finest anywhere near Auckland city. The trouble of finding out when the vehicular ferry leaves and the chance of being left behind, or being packed with vour front bumper rubbing noses

with the other man’s tail light, makes the trip anything but enjoyable. In the return journey there is often a weary wait of an hour until your tarn arrives to embark. With the bridge there would be no delay, but a smooth quick journey across the water. lam sure that many more North Shore people would run a car if a bridge was in existence and property would increase in value, from the very fact of its easy accessibility. The cost has been estimated round about £700,000, and I think, that if the Government does not see its way to erect it, then surely it would allow privatte enterprise to carry the work out. The Government might allow a bond scheme, where certain bonds would be drawn each year for prizes. This would be quite as useful to New Zealand as sending the money over to Tasmania, and more profitable than backing a horse at the races, or the average mine on the stock Exchange. GRAND SLAM. Sir,— It is too late in the day for people such as your correspondent “N. Sh. Ore,” to make hostile criticism of the Harbour Bridge project in the face of the 16,000 signatures now awaiting Parliament in Wellington. I have no hesitation in classing his figures as wilful exaggerations. He says Sydney Bridge will cost £ 9,000,000, the fact being that the lengthy and costly approaches will cost £2,500,000 (whole streets having had to be acquired), the actual structure costing £4,750,000. Three well-known firms of engineers have placed the cost of the Auckland bridge at £750,000, and not £2,500,000, as he asserts. His and his friends' suggestion of two long tunnels under the harbour will not hold water. Consider the puerile idea in an earthquaky country such as ours. For one thing, a well-known engineer friend assures me that leaving out the probable dangers of the scheme, the cost would be at least treble that of any bridge. Practically the whole of the population of the North Auckland Peninsula have expressed sympathy with thef project of spanning the Waiteznata, and at least 25,000 signatures to the petition to Parliament will without doubt shortly be obtained. As your late files will show, voluntary subscriptions are coming in from wide apart public bodies. Any suggestions as to route, etc., other than those embodied in the Harbour Bridge Association s pamphlet may be classed as red herrings. A. P. HOPKINS.

JUST SO LONG

Sir, — Regarding your correspondent “P’s” letter under heading “Too Many Tips " it states in part: “We find them (raiiway porters) snatching the bag and baggage of the railway passenger—and waiting obsequiously.” As regards the Auckland station, this practice does not obtain. To obviate this sort of thing three licenced luggage porters, more popularly known as “Red Caps,” were appoihted some two and a-half years ago—without wages—especially to handle passengers’ luggage and to assist passengers generally. Passengers’ luggage is attended to by (Continued in next column.)