Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 608, 9 March 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

“SLEEP GAS” Sir, — If gas must be employed in modern warfare, why not abolish the use of poisoned vapour and substitute sleeping gas, which would be equally effective without destruction? The conquerors merely would have to disarm their “sleeping” rivals, and dictate terms of peace after the overpowered sleepers had awakened. This, at any rate, would be a humane way of waging war. It also would be an inexpensive way. WILLIAM PERRY. Great Barrier Island. SPORTSMANSHIP Sir,— A perusal of your correspondent, “Patrick Pelorus’s” letter leaves one with the impression that he knows more about England than Australia, and indeed, would feel more at home in the former. His reference to “hoodlums attracted by tradesmencricketers” betrays an abysmal snobbishness foreign to real Australians yet strangely reminiscent of cricket on its native heath. B.V. OPEN AIR SCHOOLS Sir, — It is strange that a body of enlightened men such as the members of the Headmasters’ Association should disapprove of the open-air type of school. They have decided “that the modern buildings are highly satisfactory for school purposes.” From the headmasters’ point of view these buildings may be satisfactory, but from the viewpoint of the teachers, who do the bulk of the actual teaching, and of the children for whom the schools are built, the word “satisfactory” may be slightly inadequate. Many of the socalled modern schools of brick and concrete are decidedly unsatisfactory. Windows are there in plenty—often built so wisely that it is only on still days that they may be opened. Draughty, noisy, useless, expensive corridors also add to the general satisfactory conditions. Some of the rooms in the modern concrete buildings are not fit for human beings to inhabit during the ■winter time; they are as damp and cold as vaults. Leading modern educationists throughout the world advocate activity for the child. The latest type of open-ay~ school provides facility for the children to take a run between lessons without disturbing other classes. If little children sat still at home for the periods they do at school (even under the best arranged time-tables) their parents would think that they were ill. Leading eye specialists state, that the modern type of open-air schoolroom places no eye strain on children or upon the teacher. Wherever open-air schools have been given a fair trial they have proved an unqualified success and the health of children and teachers has improved rapidly. The Auckland headmasters are a body of excellent and worthy men, but their knowledge of open-air schools and of their world-wide success needs extending. In 1924 the Hon. C. J. Parr, who went into the whole ' uestion thoroughly, made this statement: “I questioned teachers and scholars (in openair classrooms) and I found that both

teacher and scholar were strongly in favour of the open-air rooms. The whole tendency among educationists nowadays is in the direction of erecting schoolrooms of a much lighter and elastic type than heretofore. It is doubtful wisdom to build schools in massive concrete or brick, which will last a century, and which are almost impossible of remodelling or modification. I fear we all need education on the question of school buildings. The school building of 30 years ago is today hopelessly out of date, so great have been the changes in class teaching and class methods. Who will say that the brick school of to-day, erected by the State at heavy cost, will not be superseded in the next 20 or 30 years’ . . . I am satisfied that both pupil and teacher enjoy more robust health and display more alertness cf mind and a keener spirit of work than in the ordinary classroom.” In conclusion, the following extract from a letter from the headmaster of a leading open-air school in New Zealand is illuminating: “If you are anxious to do the children of Auckland the greatest kindness possible, get them housed in these beautiful classrooms. Openair classrooms mean bright, happy and healthy children.” ALICE J. GREVILLE. MAKING KNIVES Sir. — It may be of general interest to know that in 1879, an industrialist, named Leadbeater, left Shc-.ffield to settle in New Zealand, his idea being to manufacture knives for New Zealand requirements. It is a. coincidence that the shop built on the pattern of a grinder’s hull should be the home of the New Zealand Cutlers Co, which has commenced, in €;arnest, the manufacture of knives in New Zealand. There has been talk about the germs that lie dormant, awaiting an opportune time to commence operiftions. It seems that this germ of an idea in 1879 stayed progress until opportunity offered in 1927 for the commencement of manufacture. This hull can be seen from Lome Street, and was on the outskirts of Auckland’s business area in 1879. CUTLER. HIGH RENTS Sir,— I am in full sympathy with the views expressed in your columns by ‘•Democrat.’’ High rents in the Karangahape Road have for many years past been responsible for many bankruptcies, assignments, and exits from business. This has applied not only to small retailers, but also to some of the larger ones. As “Democrat” states, there are strings of empty shops in the Karangahape Road —as also there are in the Ponsonby Road which is adjacent. Things have certainly reached a head where high rents are concerned, and the Government should, and doubtless will be, called upon to bring down a measure similar that that of the Landlord and Tenant Act, 1927 (17 and 18 Geo. V.C. 36). The intention of that Act is to remedy the present condition of things. Upon the expiry of a lease it often comes about that the landlord receives not merely the value which the premises would obtain in the open

market, but often compels the extraction of extra rent from the tenant because of the improvements which have been made by the same tenant. That is just what has been happening in the Karangaliape Road for many years, and things have now reached the breaking point. A tenant struggles in business over a period of years, to create goodwill. He puts in every penny of capital and every ounce of energy in the effort. He does manage to pay his way and he is making a little headway. Mr. Property Owner becomes cognisant of the latter fact and takes the opportunity' when a new lease is required to see to it that any goodwill attachable to the business is annexed by him (the landlord) by an increase in rent of anything from 20 per cent, to 50 per cent. That is the general condition of things which obtain in the Karangahape Road and the time is truly ripe for Government intervention. A. VICTIM THE NEW SYLLABUS Sir, — One part of the new syllabus is likely to make teachers contented with their lot. I mean that part dealing with attempts at verse. My junior* are most enthusiastic. In the March issue of the “School Journal’’ is “Captain Joseph Johnson,” a most awful twaddle in rhyme. My juniors, after much toiling, added a verse. I have never laughed so much. The added verse finally read: Captain Joseph Robinson Slipped upon an eel. He fell into a slimy creek, You ought to hear him squeal. At last he scrambled out again All covered up with mud. He said: “I'll catch that bloomin' eei. I’ll have its blinkin’ blood.” “The Stray Cat” also seemed to lack something, so— And now the door is opened wide, There comes a little girl to me She holds me tight within her arms And gives me a warm drink of tea. But if they get something good they manage better. “The West Wind,” by Masefield, for example: It’s a good land, a sweet land, that’s wes t of Auckland town; The fields and trees are greener, the r <>ads run up and down; Ine birdies’ songs are sweeter, the sea a deeper blue. Ancl here we stuck. DOMINIC.