Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 880, 25 January 1930, Page 8

Citizens Say

STREET BETTING Sir,— A matter that could well engage the attention of the police is the alarming amount of street betting that is going on at the present time. I refer particularly to the lower block of Queen Street, where these “street sharps” entrap the unwary. One ingenious youth whose face belies his roguery will tell a likely-looking victim that he has confidential information that the bookmaker “round the corner” is to be raided, but that he himself is open to do business. The unwary youth falls into the trap and, needless to say, that is the last he sees of his money, win or lose. If he does win the confidence trickster has urgent business elsewhere. It is surprising the number of young men who have been taken down in this way. It is easy money for the street loafers who take up their stand on any race day, and with small double charts, etc., prey on the foolish and unsophisticated. OBSERVER. BETTER BROADCASTS Sir,— As the public is directly concerned with the operation of the radio station IYA, I feel justified in asking for a little of your space to supplement the plea advanced on Saturday by your correspondent, Mr. Gerald L. Stead. As Car as I can judge from experience as a regular listener, little attention appears to be paid to what the people would term “good stuff.” So long as the programme is filled and the artists are secured at a cheap rate, the qualifications of the performers Locome a secondary consideration. No serious effort is made to select the best singers available, nor yet to discriminate judiciously with those who appear frequently on the programme. I suggest that mediocre performers never should be allowed to perform on the air. It is not fair to the pubT he or &aniser at IYA should cast oft altogether all those who cannot present a first-class show, and put on the good performers oftener. If my entertainment circle were restricted to listening to IYA, I would dogmatically assert that there is but one person in Auckland who can play the violin really well, one chatty

(To the Editor.)

liximorist (who, by the way, reads much of liis stuff from books without acknowledgment!, one or two vocalists, and about two or three bands of vaudeville performers (who come dangerously close to treading upon one another's toes with their stuff). Why not let Auckland have the best? We have paid our licence fees, and we have the right to expect the best perfox-mers offering. DISGRUNTLED. EAT MORE POTATOES Sir.— There is much talk about potato »s at present, and many suggestions as to now to cook them in order to make them palatable. If people want to get the real good of them they shouldn’t make them into a “shandy gaff” by mixing them with eggs or cheese or anything else, but should eat them with a slice of bacon or butter and a cup of milk. This will lead to the consumption of more potatoes and give better results. As a boy I often went to bed with a stomach full of potatoes and milk—also with a poultice on a bruised heel, composed of the same ingredients—and rose in the morning as fit as a fiddle. Some folks say that potatoes generate gas in the stomach. Well, in my opinion, a lot of people could do with a little gas. It would lighten their step consideraoly. WHOLESOME DIET. ON SOCRATES Sir,— Nothing quite so charmingly frank has crossed my field of vision for ages as the address given by Mr. 11. R. Jenkins at the Rotary Club on the subject of “Empire Builders,” as reported in your issue of last Tuesday. As an exposition of the principles of that school of Christian thought which takes as its motto: “Boost your Business with the Bible ” Mr. Jenkins’s little talk to the Rotarians was filled with the most delicious candour. “The greatest Empire builders have not been generals and admirals, but missionaries. Tney have been responsible for Britain’s great prosperity,” Then, again: “Many of

us think that we get nothing from the missionaries ... but the reason these two great countries (Britain and U.S.A.'* ai:o prospering is because they have been following Christ and tho Christian religion.” Excellent i’ faith!; But it is when lie gets away from the subject of the blessings of Christianity that our speaker excels himself. “In my opinion,” he says, “Socrates was also a remarkable man, and a groper after the truth. 1 believe his writings are still worth reading—-even today.” Uh-huh. The dear old boy would be pleased. I suggest to his publishers that they make use of this valuable testimonial when his next book appears. “‘I believe his writings are still worth reading—even today.’—• Mr. H. ft. Jenkins, M.P., for Parnell-^ “The influence of the missionaries,’* concludes Mr. Jepkins, ‘‘has been fol-lovr-ed by prosperity not only in the countries of the East, but also in New Zealand.” (“And in Samoa,” he might have added, as a topical touch.) A. R. If. FAIRBURN. BOXING ADMISSION CHARGES Sir, — During :uy 15 years’ experience itt the uL/ ung world, including the witnessing of a contest between those popular idols, Les Darcy and Eddie McGoorty, the bout between Billy Thomas and Lachie McDonald in tho Town Hall on Monday night ranks as the best two-fisted exhibition it has been my lot. to witness. Both lad 3 displayed marked ability in the use of both hands, and it is regrettable that there was such a meagre attendance of the public to see the finest exhibition ever given in Auckland. For the laxity of public support, I think the Northern Boxing Association is largely to blame, as the prices charged for admission, viz., £1 Is, 7s 6d, 5s and 2s 6<U are not likely to attract the public :n large numbers during these hard times. It would be far better to have the Town Hall filled at half the above rates than about a quarter filled at the higher prices. Then the association, would be able to keep faith with the contestants, and not reduce the purs® by .‘l3 1-3 per cent., as appears to have been done in this contest. RINGSIDE CRITIC.