Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 821, 15 November 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

HARBOUR BRIDGE TOLLS It* the authorities of the Harbour Bridge Association believe they are going to woo the support of the people of the North Shore from the ferrv transport system by charging a toll of Is a vehicle and 2s return for every trip, they have miscalculated the people’s intelligence. While it is possible, as at present, to cross the harbour as many times a day as desired for a few pence a trip, it is hardly likely that the owner of a motor-car will bring his car to work in the morning instead of travelling on the ferry. At Is a car a trip, travelling to work would become expensive indeed, particularly when compared with 3s a week for the usual weekly travel-any-time ticket. It appears to me that Captain Ashdown, in his enthusiasm to convince the commission prematurely that the bridge would be a financial proposition, lias overlooked the viewpoint of those who are going to use NORTH SHORE. OTAHUHU BREWERY Sir, Tl} 0 correspondence over the initials ••S.A.S.” makes peculiar reading, and were it not for the serious nature of the subject would not be worthy of notice. His theology is bad, and his conception of the Supreme Being ispeculiar and puerile. To imagine the Almighty stooping to earthquakes and lightning in connection with the Otahuhu brewery would be contrary to the Christian concept, and against the spirit of the prayers offered by those assembled that day, which was not destructive, but constructive. The petition and desire of those gathered round that brewery was that higher ideals would possess the hearts of the owners, and better purposes be served by the premises being converted into something more useful, for example, a flour mill or factory, etc. To imagine the Almighty casting thunderbolts of judgment even upon transgressors is to miss understanding God, man, and the age lie lives in. This is h day of grace, and •man is on trial.’’ The liquor traffic carries its own condemnation in the evidence it furnishes of

lost hopes and wretched homes. But the judgment day is yet to be. and the sentence will be pronounced and carried into effect. It affords illuminating reading to learn that “S.N.S.” is an officer in the Band of Hope, and in the narrow way. When “S.A.S. instructs his children, does he tell them when they grow up to call in at the hotels on the corners of the streets in the narrow way? lam not ashamed of my father's name to fear to put it into print. In conclusion, if “S.N.S.” is what he is, and what lie is I believe him to be, then *'his voice is .Jacob’s voice, but his hands are the hands of Esau.” _ T. H. ECCERSALL. Baptist Manse, Otahuhu. TRAFFIC CONTROL Sir, In reply to “Oliver Twist” I am a lover of fair play all round, to the motorist jvs well as the pointsman. Re “Prussianism”: your correspondent appears to think this is a reflection on our men who were on active service during the war. It is of course nothing of the sort. Personally I have the highest regard for these men and women, but it would take up too much of your valuable space to enlighten "Oliver Twist” on the meaning of “Prussianism.” As for pointsmen being on duty in wet weather, surelv your correspondent does not expect the public to give them special credit for this. They’re paid to do their duty; why not do it? In this matter voif correspondent Is rather unfortunate". Thf* morning after his letter appeared in The Sun my business took me past three points. ’ I noticed at frequent intervals from 9.25 a.m. *to 11.10 a m. that No. 1 pointsman was sheltering under an adjacent building: No. 2 under a verandah: and No. 3 valiantlv held the fort in spite of the elements though I think in* was relieved 30.30 to 11 a.m. It struck me there was not much fair play about this. Why were not Nos. 1 and 2 relieved (permanently)? I also noticed these two pointsmen were engaged from time to talking to a pal. They did not i seem to he particularly harassed, J (Continued in next column.)

might add. However. the trail: seemed to get along just as well wit:out them, and as far as I have heard without an accident, which was cobsiderate of the traffic. It would haw been too bad to have made our friend* leave their shelters to get details ef a smash-up and the criminals responsible for the crime face a prosecution on “Wednesday.” I happen to be a member of tho A.A.A.—an excellent society which has done a lot for the motorist, but I fear the A.A.A. is hardly strong enough yet to deal with the abusive pointsmen or the one who signals as if lie were trying to do the three-card trick with one hand. I’m sorry’ I can't oblige “Oliver Twist” with my mileage, my car beinr used by others of my household, anfl beyond watching that I didn't exceed the limit, I’ve never bothered about speed, but if it’s any use to him. I’ve driven for more than five years, part of this time :n the United Kingdom, London included, where it is a pleasure to drive in spite of the traffic owing to efficient police control. In passing I've not had to face a “Wednesday” yet. I note that “Oliver Twist" is under the impression that a largr percentage of the council’s pointsmen are ex-constables. I have a notion they’d not last long in the force if they were off their beat for one and a-half hours on account of weather conditions. Possibly this is why they left the force; they were under strict discipline there. Evidently they are not now. when, apparently, they can come and go as they please. BUMBLETRANSPORT BOARD In fairness to the public I think the Auckland City Council should ask the Transport Board to resign, otherwi® the ratepayers should petition the Goveminent to amend the Act. On the buses on the Point Chevalier route sometimes half the passengers standing. Mr. Coyle talks of a 4 miserable farthing” a section. On sections such as we have on the Point Chevalier route these farthings soon tot up. Two sections on this journey are abouf equal to one in the City. But as T Sun hi Mr. ( 43 exhibit a pass which will take him on any tram route. Xo one can unde - stand the losses on the Point Cheva ic. route, where the are almost lying one on top of the other ana. some instances, standing o.i the of the buses. We want men on board elected by the ratepayers. H council will not call on the boardL m resign, then let us draw up a monsi petition to Parliament demanding amendment to the Act. __ RATEPAYERMOSQUITOES "T see by the that » r yj? Graham, our mosquito expert y® ing Auckland for Dunedin and up his present researches. This news for Aucklanders. I guess tn will be no more investigation 01 o\ - seas vessels to watch for tieu rivals in the way of malaria, or * - a waste ’of time and money for tn officer to have worked out the life hi** tories of each species, where species breeds: how to eliminate tne —and then t" be allowed to J* sl Auckland through lack of support. - a working man I wish Mr. Graha good luck in lus new work. There* of course the other side. Local bodi and councils will probably rejoice seeing this officer having, for he 1been a thorn in their side since n« first took up the subject and prove* that all local bodies were breeding told numbers <*f mosquitoes in the* dumping-grounds and catch pits. *‘ paper says that Ik- is preparing treatise on how to get rid of mo 8 * quitoes in Auckland but will his suggestions be carried into effect pigeon-holed? It seems a >hame was not given full power to see m own suggestions ri d *.ut would have liked, for I firmly believe h«* was the r ght t pe of man 1 tackle a job of supervising .»uch necessary work. WIUKHE-