BOROUGH BYE-LAWS AND TRAFFIC

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 74, 2 April 1901, Page 3

BOROUGH BYE-LAWS AND TRAFFIC

vTo the Editor of the Times.)

Siu, —I noticed in some of the Gisborne papers a short while ago that the street traffic should be properly regulated, something like the regulations of the larger towns of the colony. I refer now to the pedestrians and footpath traffic. Well, that is all very good as far as it goos. That sort of traffic is anything but a nuisance, and it is only once a week that there is ever any necessity for such regulations. But now, sir, I am going to tell you of something else that not only w-ants some sort of regulation, but requires to bo dealt with by the “strong arm of the law.” Nearly all day long, and night time as well, bikes arc being continually’ridden on the footpaths, especially in the vicinity of Childers road. All sorts and conditions of people seem to take Childers road footpaths—lawyers, carpenters, clerks, shopgirls, shop-men, boys, girls, men, and women, and what is a great danger, they come along in the dark, without lamps, and do not ring the bell. Sometimes children are knocked down, and they (ospeeially the young people) have acquired tho daring presumption of telling, or at least ordering, the “ ped ” to clear the way for them. Now, again, Sir, one coming out of one’s gate, and a noiseless bike comes along, I cau tell you that it makes one say something not at all complimentary to the rider of that bike ; in fact, it almost tempts one to force a stick between the spokes and stgnd whatever may be the result.

I tell you what I thought, Mr Editor, as the Public Works Act allows for prosecution, or the Borough Bye-Laws, or the Police Offences Act, the best way would be to form a society, and to prosecute all, or any who continue to be a nuisance to foot passengers. There is another, and perhaps a more dangerous game going on, which I would just like to bring under your notice, also of the police, and that is some boys and young men going about with pea rifles. Now they tire a very nasty little leaden bullet, not very big, but extremely dangerous, I can tell you. I know of one boy shooting another with one of these guns, and the result is that the eye lias to be removed. I know of another case where a woman was shot in the face ; these are Gisborne cases. I read in the Times, if I can remember rightly, that a short while ago, in, I think, some of the Southern towns, where a boxhad been shot in the bladder, and at Wanganui, some time ago, a boy was forced to undergo a very painful operation, as the result of a shot from one of those dangerous simple - looking toy weapons. v Another nuisance we have to tolerate, is the driving of sheep, cattle sometimes, and horses daffy through the street loose. If the Council be asked to repair some piece of road, there is always the same cry, “ We can’t afford it," but they allow horses to be driven loose, often at a gallop, and right over the footpaths, and break them up, and there is always a man sent to repair the damage. You, Mr Editor, may never have had the luxury, but I can tell you it is not at all a pleasant sensation to have a mob of sheep driven through a dusty road on a hot day. I only wish you would take the matter up and deal one on to those people, with your able pen, especially the bikes and pea rifles. —I am, etc., Ped.