CORRESPONDENCE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1323, 12 November 1914, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE

(To tbe Editor-)

Sir,—l think that those councillors who opposed the proposal to throw tbe borough roads open for indiscriminate stock grazing, displayed their common sense. It is a fact patent to all that our footpaths, with two or three exceptions, fall to answer their purpose. As a consequence, ladies with gocarts, and others, are compelled, owing to the unevenness of the paths, to, take to the middle of the road, which in many cases is not much better, being only a mere track. From this central track, on account of vehicular traffic of various kinds, they have repeatedly to take to the grassy sides. There, owing to the carrying of this foolish proposal, they will .be at the mercy of horses, cattle, and not unlikely, Other stray quadrupeds. The fact that the Mayor will ask the Council speedily to rescind tbe motion should he find that that body is responsible for any accidents which may occur through tbe carrying of the proposal, goes to show —aud forcibly, too—that tbe Council, which should ever regard the safety of the public, has a suspicion of danger, and further, that if any accident does happen, such will be a matter of little concern, so long as the blame is not attachable to that local body. This method of clearing the roads of superfluous growths may be fitting in the backblocks, where population is scanty, but surely, sir, not in a borough densely inhabited ! If there is any danger during the summer months of the grass on the roads catching fire, and menacing property, may I suggest, Mr Editor, that the Council employ a man with a mowing machine, or failing that, give the anticipated unemployed a job to scythe the grass, and when dry, either burn, or perhaps better, give it away for the carting. Thanking you in anticipation, —I am, etc., . Proorkss. (To Tint Editor). Sir.— Can you find space for two suggestions which may help the Foxton effort to assist the Belgian widows and orphans. One is, that the flaxmills should be asked to cease work at noon on tbe day of tbe fete instead of Saturday. The other, that the manager of the Sanson tram be asked to delay the tram’s departure to five or six o’clock.—Yours in aid., Briton.