CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 May 1918, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

A VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS To the Editor. Sir, —I once read in your paper some pertinent remarks about an undesirable aptitude some of the old timers of this sea-side town have of decrying, and attempting to set at nought any praiseworthy act to benefit the place, simply because such act is a bit too advanced for them, I suppose. As a visitor to your town I have noticed such opposition repeatedly. "What our Grandfers had is good enough for wee,"that is their cry. I am informed that some of this class belittled the tramway movement at its inception, but now that the trams have come to stay have the assurance to take credit for what they did for the movement. The mention of trams reminds me of what I saw yesterday in going to your suburb of Fitzroy. No leas than two or three women were wearing hat pins protruding fully three inches and likely to cause serious damage to fellow passengers, in a crowded tram especially. Are there no Borough by-laws against such things? If so, why aro not tho conductors empowered to act in such matters and duly caution the delinquents ? Your town has great possibilities, and I trust you will, allow me to point out many things that strike visitors as a bit out of date, or, as they say, "off." For instance, the lax way of some of the business people is surprising, and, to pountry callers, annoying.. I had occasion to call at an agent's, and a card said, "Will return shortly," but he didn't, and the card might have been -there for a whole day for aught I know. I called on a business man whose assistant said he "went down the street," didn't know where to, or how long he would be, etc. That sort of slip-shod business is no good, and won't do for a progressive town. One does not find such things in large centres. I bought a cake —not a mile from the railway station, in which the bakar had used a newspaper to bake it. I enclose a portion of the paper for your inspection and olfactory nerves. I am aware that any reference to Germany is tabooed, still we j could well afford to copy some of their laws. A baker there ts compelled to use the best and cleanest white paper for Ms confectionery. The barbers are compelled to sterilise all brushes, scissors and .azors regularly. The Inspector looks after them, so he does the bakers, .inspects the butter that is used for cakes, etc. Barbers are compelled to burn all hair, as it never rots, and often is anything but hygienic. I trust your city fathers will take a friendly "hint from A VISITOR TO NEW PLYMOUTH.