Rattling Good Roads

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 71, 16 December 1937, Page 6

Rattling Good Roads

E. H.

BEAMISH.

Sir, — In your issue of the 10th inst. A letter appeared over the signature of " Loose Joints" which calls for a reply. I am not in the habit of entering into newspaper controversy, especially with people who shelter behind a nom-de-plume, but fairness to the Automobile * Association compels me to do so. In the first place, would "Loose Joints" care to let your readers know whether he — or perhaps she— is a member of the .Vutomobile Association, and moreover whether he — or she — is a ratepayer in the Hawke's Bay County. One can hardly imagine a member o£ the Automobile Association being so ignorant of the functions of that organisation as to presume that it is one of the duties of their patrols to be brave and run about and let tie hava valuable reports" about a comparatively short length of road, which has undoubtedly suffered during the recent wet weather. That the road in question has not " been in good order recently I am freely prepared to admit, but considering the hundreds of bales of wool and thousands of fat lambs that have been carted over this road during this last month, and taking the weather into consideration, is it surprising that it has been cut to pieces? Is it surprising either, I would ask "Loose Joints" and other critics, that as member for the Okawa xiding on the County Council that I have been forced to protest when tar-sealing has been carried out on roads that do not carry half the traffie this one does. * t Just to impress on "Loose Joints," and any other readers who may have formed a wrong opinion in consequence of having read the letter to which I am replying, I would state that during last month the grader was employed between Omahu and the Pukehamoamoa Sehool for four and a half days at a eost of approximately £15, and that already this month. the grader hai worked there for three days. In cqnclqsion, I would advise "Loose Joints" to be sure of facts and the limits of responsibilities before rushing into print, — Yours, etc.,

Kohatumui, Dec. 15, 1937.