OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 February 1940, Page 6

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

THE TERRITORIAL APPEAL (To The Editor). Sir. —In reading a belated appeal by the chairman of the Masterton Territorial Association, urging employers to release employees from their service to enable their attendance at the Hawke's Bay Regiment's annual camp for intensive company and battalion training, al Waiouru from March 2 to March 9. it is all too apparent that the long-awaited action by the association, has come too late. To expect employers to release a man at the short notice embodied in the appeal is futile. If the appeal had been made when it should have been, at least a fortnight ago. employers would undoubtedly have made arrangements accordingly. The position is not peculiar to Masterton. I consider that had this appeal been made at the opportune time the present position would not have arisen. Not in any way detracting from the splendid work being carried out by the officer in charge of .the local Defence Office, who has made appeals io employers, owing to the lack of backing from the proper quarters—the Territorial Association—his appeals were akin to a voice in the wilderness. The simple fact is, Sir. that all of the executive members are too occupied with Patriotic, Chinese and kindred funds to realise the world of meaning in the old adage “charity begins at home." The association is not doing anything concrete to assist recruiting, and if it is to serve the useful purpose. originally intended, such as the organisation of recreational facilities for the local Territorials, then why has a start not been made? —I am, etc.. —NATIONAL DEFENCE. Masterton, February 27.

THE TOWN CREEK (To the Editor.) Sir —I have been somewhat surprised that such a disturbing occurrence as the drying up of the Town Creek has not been mentioned in your paper (I may have overlooked it). For over a week now residents on the east side of the town have been very worried over the loss of the water. We have also worried the Borough Engineer, but to no purpose; he could not do anything. What I want to know is this—is there anyone in Masterton who remembers the creek going dry before? If so, when? Has the diversion of the Waipoua River been a contributing factor? If so, can the property owners claim damages from the Borough Council? — I am. etc,

Masterton, February 27. A complete inspection of the stream, which rises in Albert Street, has been made by borough officials. The spring is at only half its normal flow and the -stream now dries up near Colombo Road. The inspection showed that there had been no interference with the flow of water by any property-owner. The diversion of the Waipoua River is at a’ point well below the source of the stream. A “DRY” SUBJECT (To the Editor.') Sir.—After reading the letter of your last evening’s correspondent, •G.A.S." upon the penalties attached lo defiance (wilful or innocent) of our Borough Bylaws regarding the use of water per medium of hose beyond stated hours, in order to better cope with any sudden call upon the rather limited supply at its source—in case of fire outbreak— I am more firmly convinced than ever that water-meters might solve the matter in cases such as these. As for gardening, the I’aw of our land is so strict, in wider avenue’s of “persecution,’’ as to make it an offence for a poor Celestial gardener to even pour buckets of water over vegetable plots from a nearby creek on Sundays, to save his "living": or a poor carpenter to work at his trade, on either Saturdays or Sundays, as the case may be. Surely one with the literary ability to write like “G.A.S.", was writing with his pen in his hand and his tongue in his cheek when he depicted so "sorrowful" a tale of himself and his family having to forego their customary cinema and other after-gardening recreations (not to mention church-col-lection money, income. Social Security and other taxes of a minor joyful kind): and in which case he has not onlv mine, but the sympathy of us all. In fact he is a "martyr” in general public cause—so sinful, and unrepentant at that, are we mostly all! Hoping to get a real good “bite” from "G.A.S.” in your next issue—l am .etc, “SORROWFUL MACDOUGAL.” Masterton. February 28.