Citizens Say —

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 482, 11 October 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

DANCING IN BATHING ATTIRE | Sir,— After reading Mr. A. L. Brown’s tirade in last evening’s Sun, I feel perfectly satisfied in his confirmation that my letters have hit the mark, and experience the same satisfaction afforded the wasp when a torrent of abuse informs her that her sting has reached the spot. However, I'll forgo the pleasure of gloating over Mr. Brown’s compliments and confine myself to the privilege of dropping a comment on his parting shot; "And in any case, the management of Dixieland, Ltd., has already shown that it is quite competent to run its cabaret as it should be run.” Quite so. I was thinking of that very matter too! But is Mr. A. L. Brown referring to the time before the City Council closed down this cabaret, or after that date? HAROLD SCHMIDT. DEVONPORT’S NEW WHARF Sir, Devonport has a nice new passenger wharf. It cost £65,000. It has a roof over a portion of it and an electrically operated gangway. Beyond the covered-in portion an ordinary gangway has to be used. On fine days the covered-in part is used. Sometimes the tide prevents the ferries berthing at this part. On wet days the electrically operated gangway often fails to work and the ferry boat has to stop before reaching the covered part so that an ordinary gangway can be used. Yesterday afternoon there was no power for working the gangway and passengers got very wet when the other gangway was used. Has anyone blundered, or when the wharf was designed was it intended that the covered portion should merely be used to protect people from the sun? Apart from these little defects it is a nice wharf, but you should hear what the ferry.captains call it. WHAHFIE. CHRISTIAN SCIENCE Sir, I am not & Christian Scientist, and am quite unprejudiced, except in favour of those who are unfairly defamed. Nor do I wish to start a discussion about Theology. But I would like to point out that at the large meeting to heaj; Dr. Pettit I did not hear one sound argument against these -people. Their text book was held up for us, but not one single extract was read from it. Their creed was read from a manual, but it was so obviously orthodox that no attempt Was made to attack any part of it. Loose statements were made to us about what the speaker considered they believed, but even so he could show nothing un-Christian nor unscientific. Most of his address was spent in holding up to ridicule their

belief that the material world is an illusion; but since Einstein and every man of science to-day agrees with them, it was rather a waste of time. Another point the speaker emphasised was that they somewhere are supposed to have stated that Jesus did not die; but their meaning clearly was that it was only His body that was in the grave. Is It not a pity that Christian people cannot allow differences of opinion on such matters as spiritual healing, but must denounce them as “Led of the Devil,” a “Satanic System,” and even descend so far from fair argument as to cast a slur on the moral character of their founder, Mrs. Eddy. No wonder Christianity makes so little headway when prominent leaders show such a spirit, and use such childish arguments against what they call error. E. S. DUKES. DRAINAGE OF WAIATARUA Sir,— . The general impression that the drainage of St. John’s Lake means its permanent disappearance is erroneous. The work hs necessary so that the present swampy surrounding (with its mosquito- breeding proclivities) may be consolidated to the water’s edge The lake will re-fill naturally. I was frankly sceptical when, as a new councillor, this statement was made to me, so that I appreciate the picture conjured up when one speaks of draining the lake.*’ The council's engineers are confirmed by Messrs Grierson and Powell, both having knowledge of the lake, so I trust public fears will be allayed. The City Council will, in due course, have to evolve a definite plan from the many schemes coming before It: but I sincerely believe that every present councillor is jealous of the preservation of this gem in its proper setting; and though naturally there will be divergence of views as to it* environment there can he none as to its unique worth. ALICE EASTEN. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS “Inquirer” should send a cheque for £1 11s 6d (31s for the lamb, and 6d for exchange) to the secretary, the Meat Producers’ Board, Box 121. Wellington, giving the name and address of the person to whom he wishes ta send the lamb, and his own name and address. The lamb will then be sent free of charge to the address named.—Ed.. The Sun. Disgusted.—The manager of the theatre in question states that the seats referred to were reserved for passengers on the mail boat leaving that evening. When they were not taken up they were made available for stall patrons. The manager further states that he will be pleased to give a full explanation if the correspondent will call at the theatre.— Ed. The Sun.