“THOUGHTS WHILE SHAVING!"

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 April 1939, Page 4

“THOUGHTS WHILE SHAVING!"

(The Editor.) Sir,—Congratulations to “Wha's like Us" for opening up the subject of “our town.” In the course of a few years residence in Masterton I have often come across people (especially locally born) who have no good word for our town. Its a “slow old hole,” "a dump,” etc. Now Sir, in the opinion of many of us who have knocked round a bit, Masterton is a beautiful clean town. We have wonderful assets in our park right in the centre of the borough. There are our trees, our sports grounds, our opera house, and, not least, our lovely view of the Tararuas. My congratulation also to the Borough Council on their work. Let those who are so ready to criticise them, remember that though they welcome constructive criticism, their work is voluntary and they give much time and service to the administration of the affairs of our good town. By the way, might I suggest that you give us amateur journalists a column, say, once a week, in which we can express some free opinions, observations, criticisms, etc.—politics and religious subjects barred. Call it what you fancy—“ Readers Pars,” “Local Opinions,” or “Town Talk.” A former editor of a Masterton paper, talking to the writer on the subject of meditation, said: “A Chinaman will sit, facing a blank wall, for an hour a day in meditation. Qnly twice during the day does an Englishman give any time to meditation. Once is while shaving!” So Sir, how about heading this column “Thoughts While Shaving!” Perhaps members of the fair sex might object that this would bar them from contributing—well split the column in half and give them “Under the Powder Puff.” I also suggest that these contributions be unsigned, and, of course, Mr Editor, you must decide (giving us plenty of latitude) which are suitable paragraphs for inclusion. This column, I suggest, would help to create a lively interest in the welfare and administration of, our town, and also give residents an opportunity for suggestion or criticism. I enclose two items, the sort of thing I had in mind. “Why is it that the post office authorities do not study the public convenience in the matter of mail boxes? Why cannot a box for letters only be placed in the vestibule? I have noticed them in the lobbies of post offices in other towns. I met my friend Mrs Gubbins battling against the wind and rain (this was in the days long ago when we had rain in Masterton) to post a letter. Dear old soul! What with the weather and “’itler” and “hairoplanes” and things, she doesn’t think she will ’ live much longer! (Perhaps not—she’s 89).” “Congratulations to the promoters of ’Keep Fit Week’ and the inter-house sports. One cannot fail ' to notice what a difference there is in the walk and carriage of the fair sex any day in Queen Street. - The writer wishes the young men about town would emulate them. By the way there is a good story told about those inter-house sports. Owing to the inclement weather the committee on the Oval were undecided as to whether to hold the sports. Several people had already paid their Is to come in, and the suggestion was to return their money and postpone the sports. However, the committee decided against this, as they objected to •presenting Is each to the members of the ‘Scottish contingent’ which arrived via the Cemetery gates!” ' I am, etc., “ANON.” Masterton, April 3.

(Letters to the Editor are always welcome. —Ed. T.-A.) /