A COMPLAINT.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2568, 11 May 1871, Page 2

A COMPLAINT.

To the Editor.

Sib, — I suppose the directors of the Dunedin Waterworks Company Lave so many things of such great importance engaging their attention, that they cannot attend to the minor affairs which affect the life and limb of the unwary traveller in this wilderness. We have not only the renowned City Councillors seeking to endanger life, as you have so ably shewn, but we have also the above board of directors (the rise in whose shares has so affected them and the’r servants) placing opposite every house where new pipes have be n laid a trap, which has and will cause many to have a caress from mother earth which is far from pleasant; and if he escape with this only, it is not the faivt of the directors or those who have the arrangement of the traps. They are especially dangerous to children—but of course that is nothing to a board of directors. To-day a case came under my notice, where a child had been caught in the trap, and after long and patient labor on the part of a few neighbors, was fortunately extricated with what may prove a severe sprain, and the destruction of its boot, which is not the slight- st consequence in these days of prosperity to the laboring man. No doubt the directors see the great evil of an increasing population, and are most generously seeking to remedy (he evil ; but a much surer way certainly might be found. If, sir, it is necessary to have a separate turncock (or whatever name it may be known by) to every house, surely it might be so placed that it could nob be an annoyance to the passer-by—or, if no other place could be found, I should imagine some of our engineers could make su-h a covering which none could remove but the servant of the company. This is a nuisance—l think even Mr Barnes will agree—that should be at ouce removed; but if in the meantime I, or anyone belonging to me, sh uld break a limb, or in any way bo incapacitated for business, can you inform me who will be responsible, as every one’s life is not insured ? I am, &c., CIT ZEN. Cumberland street, May 9.