CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2048, 27 November 1907, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Correspondence on public matters is welcomed at all times, but it must bo distinctly understood that this journal is in-no way associated with the opinions of its correspondents.] A SPORTS CLUB AVANTED.

[To the Editor.] Sir, —Excuse me for trespassing on your space on tho abovo subject, but it must strike any observer that tiport is very backward in this district. Tlie time ‘is drawing nigh for athletics now, and I am wondering il there will bo any sxiorts held here this year. What we want is a fow of our monied men to club together and put a sports club on a proper footing. There are a great many athletes hero, and it a club were formed they would bo only too glad’to"patronise it. Leaving the public to consider tho advisability ol establishing a club, and trusting that a few enthusiasts will make a move ill this direction,—l'am, etc. ■ - EX-ATH>ill E. Gisborne, Nov. 2G.

OUR PASSENGER- STEAAIERS. [To the Editor.] Sir —There lias boon much dissatisfaction for some time with the arrangements made by tho shipping companies for tlie passengers arriving or leaving this port, and it appears that tlie time lias come when some united effort might bo made to remedy the existing state or nrfairs. In their anxiety to attend to cargo, the comfort and convenience of oasse-ngers seems to he lost sight of, "and not infrequently the latter have to complain of a veiled or open incivility on the part of officials, who appear to resent questions as to the movement of boats as impertinent. Last Sunday the last launch for the 'Baiune was advertised for 5 p.m., but did not leave until 8 o’clock, while the boat did not leave the bay until 2 o’clock in the morning. On the previous Sunday the AVaikare arrived about- II a.m.. which was hours before the usual time. These are hut two. illustrations among many of the irregularity of the service, which could not be attributed to inclement weather. The instance which occurred last Sunday night- might have easily been obviated if consideration for the passengers was desired, as a telegram from Auckland the previous day would have indicated fairly closely, at what time the boat would have arrived and left, whereas passengers who had to come in from ■the country or suburbs (to say nothing of tlie townsxieojilo) were brought into town to catch the boat at 5 o’clock, and had the delightful exxierienco of hanging about town for three hours, and then apparently of being taken for a cruise in the bay by the launch to fill the time until the boat arrived. In addition to this, if they had important en • gageinents in "AVellington, and had •timed themselves to catch the cxl>ress from Napier on Alonday morning, they had the additional||[)leasure of a day’s sojourn in Napier forced upon them. No advice, so far as I can observe, was given the town of the unusually early arrival of tho -■aikare on the previous Sunday, and consequently those who had to come into town to meet strangers who were passengers, doubtless missed their friends, who for their part would he forced to wander about the town, not knowing where to go. This seems to he a strange condition of affairs for a town which has assumed the size and imiiortance of ours, but if the residents would shake off tlie indifference—.which stultifies our efforts towards progress in so many directions —and would work together to draw attention to this grievance, we might lioxie to be placed on a. footing with other towns a.t an early date. —I am, etc., “CITIZEN.” Gisborne, Nov. 25.