Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1041, 4 August 1930, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

ARAFUNI Sir. — . . How much potential energy is there in a flowing river? Let us take a small stream five feet wide and four feet deep, and flowing at the rate ot four miles an liom' for 10 miles of its length. According to pretty mathematics, there is only 457,000 footflounds. or less than 14-h.p. But on the face of it there is a total of GS.G4O,OOOIb of water moving at four miles an hour! Hence our paltry five-foot stream must have a potential energy of over half a milion li.p. If not. Why not? According to liairbrained mathematics, there is no more potential energy represented by a 50.000-ton leviathan going past a certain point on the bank at a certain rate than a 100-ton boat going past at the same rate, provided they have the same beam and tile same depth from top deck to keel. This is how Water power is calculated, at any rate. Now, if the above observations are only half-true, why do we require a headrace or penstocks to obtain our 1 00,000 -h.p. at Arapuni? Why not build a new powerhouse right at the dam, the same as in many of the hydroelectricitv schemes, in America. In a long river the energy must be there without lifting the water 200 feet or so, and then it throwing down a pipe to obtain it. UNSOPHISTICATED BERT. MOCKERY Sir, — As one who is absolutely disgusted at the ceremonies in connection with the gruesome carrying out of the death sentence in this civilised country. I would like you to allow me space in your paper to voice my disapproval. - It is a crying shame the way the victim is treated. For instance: the “body” of the condemned norson is demanded while he is still alive! Whatever a man may have done—he is still a human being, and should be treated as such. I wonder how we would like individually to have the burial service read over us (I understand this is the custom on the way from the condemned cell to the gallows), while still alive? Then, to cap everything, an inquest is held over the body to ascertain the cause of death (probably to see if the hanged man had died of appendicitis). Of course, the person most concerned

would not know anything about this absurd part of the business. The whole thing seems to me to be a mockery from beginning to end, and should be rectified so that we maltreat the condemned as human beings and not as animals. If the law must take its course, then let the sentence be carried out in a more humane way. DISGUSTED. UNEMPLOYMENT AND TAXATION Sir. — Wo find the Government increasing tlio taxes on all foreign importations to encourage local productions, and thereby absorb unemployment; also wo have, stamped on our mail: “Buy British Goods!” Now that sounds very well, but I think the Government should set the example by employing British lab’our on all Government and public works instead of foreigners. I asked a representative of the Labour Union if ho could not do something in the matter, and he told mo that as long as they paid their fees to the union, nothing' could be done. That being the case, it is time we opened our eyes to the fact that we are deriving very little, if any. benefit, but are only creating “cushy” jobs for these who call themselves labour organisers. The foreigner certainly has a right to live, but why give him preference? They are mostly single men, without dependents. BRITON. POOR POLLY! Sir.— Having noticed “Bard’s” letter referi'ing to the work of our policy in prosecuting offenders who have been cruel to animals. I would like to add that we have much to thank them for. but may I ask why something is not done on behalf of a parrot which is in a. niost pitiful plight? This bird is kept in an old dirty cage with no false bottom to it. and when the unfortunate creature leaves Its swing for u little exercise it is compelled to walk in its own droppings. The parrot is not a dirty bird t»v nature. Therefore this bird must feel its extreme misery. Neither is there a perch in its cage and the excuse is given: “Oh. it eats it.” Why not try an iron one? -Further, this poor captive is left out in all weathers without

the slightest resemblance of an> P _ tection from the cold and pierci wind. . - Tho Creator intended that f? o*' 0 *' ]r our feathered friends should seetcJt- i perches after sunset (.tild the conics under this category ). L unfortunate creature is ke r t « until 9 pm. .ml after. S“s“r tropical bird hailing from MexJeo? treated so? To anyone who »»». stands the parrot's ways, likes •md likes, it truly is a deplorable state affiirs which should not be tolerwtecr A few pence spent on the Httla P er's cage would afford a little comI may state that the owner t>»* ' appealed to. His reply is ’be . e -not to be silly" and that parrot is still left to its misers ble, [Our correspondent has left her a and If the executive of hi sires to communicate witb ncr » • forward iiarticulars. —Ed., The ou -j NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS G.J. (Remuera).—lf you will us a letter addressed -o Malayu” we shall be pleased to readdress it for you.—Ed. The o “High Cost cf Living.”—You do supply your name and adore**Tne Sun.