Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 437, 20 August 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

“UP GUARDS AND AT ’EM” Sir, — As a frequent traveller on the western suburban railway, I was interested in “Victor’s” questionnaire in The Sun on Saturday to the departmental authorities about the epidemic of ticketcollecting in these trains. I travelled to Glen Eden yesterday, and was amused to find that, in the short run from Newmarket, my ticket and those of two friends with me were snipped, counter-snipped, looked at and finally collected during the journey. A guard and a porter had two shots each at the three tickets—no, not quite that, for on one occasion the guard weakened in his zeal and gave up after snipping two of the three tickets. This may be the new Sterling efficiency, but it seemed to me, sir, that the porter at least would have been more usefully employed in the role of “the gentleman with a dusteT.” The windows looked as though they had not been cleaned since last Christmas. TRAVELLER. THE MYSTERY Sir, — Before Mr. Liddle’s demonstration I twitted him for failing to stand to his promises. Last Wednesday evening I went to his demonstration and must say there is something in what Mr. Liddle says. Whatever “Erin” may think of the performance, and he may know more about these things than myself. The impression I gained was that the demonstration had a great many points of similarity with the feats performed by Argus, and for that matter the general run of mind readers. I think “Erin” is a little too dogmatic in his criticism of Mr. Liddle. I was a member of the committee invited on the stage to see fair play and handed Mr. Liddle a number I selected from a hat. His assistant correctly named it. though I am sure he could not possibly see it. and Mr. Liddle certainly did not utter a word. If “Erin” was not impressed with this, can he tell me how it was done? I understood Argus did the same thing. FAIR PLAY. MR. LIDDLE IN REPLY Sir,— It is apparent that Mr. Copeland’s letter was penned before my demonstration. Your report of the event should convince him of my success. It is regrettable that Mr. Copeland should be so foolish as to imagine that I would substitute other effects for the three Argus tests. I included other tests, but performed the three controversial points in every detail, with only one mistake, compared with ten errors by Argus. Congratulations by strangers after the demonstration convinced me that some persons at least are converted from this pernicious

mind-reading, fortune-telling cult. I regret that Mr. Copeland should hint that I awaited his departure before exposing Argus. However, I await and pine for his return. The performance will be repeated and Argus can have time on my stage to repeat his own three simple tricks. Mr. Copeland mentions again that shilling book on mind reading. He must have his little joke. My library is sufficient to fathom any further tricks Argus may demonstrate. So far, the secrets of all I have seen him do are contained in a little manual entitled “How to Fool the Public.” Price sixpence. K. W. LIDDLE. ARGUS AND MR. LIDDLE Sir, — I only wish that “Argus” and kis father could have witnessed Mr. Liddle’s so-called duplication of Argus’s telepathy, etc. in not one test did he equal Argus, and if .Argus does his mind-reading, telepathy, clairvoyance, or whatever anyone likes to call it, by trickery, then all I can say is that it was infinitely nettcr done than Mr. Liddle’s. For one thing, most of the members of Argus’s audience supplied their own paper for questions, many bringing the questions already written, to the theatre. Yet they were instantly answered by Argus directly his father picked them up—no long interval, and the pretence of faking with a crystal, as in Mr. Liddle’s case. In fact, so quickly did Argus answer that he had barely finished one before his father put the next one, which was answered without even a pause. Mr. Liddle is certainly dexterous with cards, and' manipulates a few other tricks well, but his “thoughtreading” (save the mark!) is almost ludicrous, and not even a good imitation of Argus’s undoubted gift. E.C.C. A WORKER’S VIEW Sir.— Please grant me space in your paper to reply to the letter supplied by “T.F.” in Tuesday’s paper re. Mr. Potter’s meetings. I .was not at the meeting and know nothing of the meeting beyond what I have read; but there is one thing certain, and that is that “T.F.,” whoever he may be, is concerned about the present depression, and would like to know* of a solution for same. He deprecates everything that was mentioned at the meeting as likely causes. Nevertheless, “T.F.,” unless he is a downright fool, has to admit that a man can only pass his money through one channel at a time, and he knows that drinking and gambling are not going to keep his home going or fill empty stomachs. But, sir, I would like to tell “T.F.” that the cause of the depression can be laid very largely at the door of the working man himself, and that the

cure is in his own hands. there no work to do in a young. * developed country like ours? because the working man as a wn* will not give a fair return for money he gets, and consequently man with money to spend keep* " tho bank, where his interest, thou. small, is sure. The whole tren tilings in workshops, mill, factory out-door work is to get aa m®*’ ever you can and give as hUte .. turn as possible for it- ” ny that five out of every six young are sacked as soon as they have - ished serving their time. XXX they have not made themselves e* cient during their apprenticeship. consequently when the “* tim m Jiv * they are of no use. The remedy Cor the working man ..V 1 fi nd a fair thing. and he will soon tod as money begets money, so « beget work A WORKER THE TROLLEY NUISANCE Ask any motor driver siders the greatest menace on ; urban roads, and the rep • ~ ghoTably be The boy’s tr o "®*: allowin? of pulling up rt>*L him tho unrestricted use oi . troile} no driver can anticipate the tru rider’s movements. traffic Th© trolley recognises no gulation, it meets you op side, ignores your horn, a piece carious path to the jerk . of string, sheds its ».he pants without the sl *f ht d „ ‘ pr «u= *® and is generally “ ore <, j? Jdnto tW the motorist than a banana - ti* pedestrian. The ddference is banana skin doesn t set s erio“ = ' the trolley boy runs the risa injury. . T witnessed Only this morning 1 ngster* miraculous escape or t - cr&l' aged not more than nm. rc *d » vehicle had wobbled m hl UE d«' r yard or two from the ke "'. „ fc ci r. »* d the wheels of an apprcwchmg a , only the splintered wrec-« trolley saved at least on from a horrible mangling. won^ I quite believed th. driving the car when'.he irolX • she Lad not even seen the suppose it requires t)w , pecef before the authorities tase sary steps. SHO CK ABSORB^ -