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Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3004, 27 February 1926, Page 3

(To the Editor)

Dear Sir. —I read with some interest your report on the Borough Council meeting of Monday night last, and especially the few paragraphs referring to the proposal to remove the posts and chains from the Triangle. I can sec many reasons why the chains and posts should be removed, but I cannot for the life of me vision one for their retention. I spent most of the evening trying to imagine what on earth the Mayor and his fellow dissenters could possibly find to say in favour of this unsightly contraption being perpetuated. Ultimately I retired for the night—alas to dream. I dreamt that I stood in the Council Chambers, the last speaker of those “for the motion” had just sat down after a most convincing speech in favour of the removal of the posts and chains. I glanced at the Mayor and I felt satisfied that he was pleased with his Councillors wisdom and sagacity for there was a decided reduction in the space between point of nose and point of chin, corresponding reduction between corner of mouth and lobe of ear.

A ponderous form slowly arose from his sitting position, accompanied in his uprising by the chair on which he had been sitting, now clinging to his person by those arms which had been designed for his greater repose. “Mi-. Mayor! — Councillors!” It was as if the 90pounders had suddenly “boomed” again. “Who won the Battle of Waterloo?—Waterloo was won, gentlement, by a man of brains—a master of strategy. We have such brains in our midst to-day. In yonder triangle gentlemen, is a gun! (this was accompanied by a thump on the table —councillors were visibly moved). Attempts have lately been made to have that gun removed. A dastardly plot gentlemen, it must be frustrated. Brains will do it, strategy will do it. We have had the wheels set in concrete. But the plot thickens, gentlemen. In order to faciliate the removal of the gun, traitors in our midst are advocating the removal of its defences. Take away the posts and chains and nothing will save it. Gentlemen I forbid them to be removed.” Never was there a figure more Bismarkian as he stood thus defying the world to do its worst. Slowly he and his chair resumed their more orthodox position.

The next speaker rose —also slowly —with one hand hiding a yawn, he poised his weight (not inconsiderably on the other, it resting on the table. “I would like to say Mr. Mayor, (and as he spoke it was like the droning of a hive, all the soothing influence of apple blossom and sunshine floated like “Tinkle Bell” through the room), that I think it would be a pity to remove the posts and chains. It’s a beautiful little spot for a nap, and one can feel so snug and safe there, with the posts and chains all round, keeping the traffic at. a safe distance.”

The third speaker was short, (of speacli I mean, not stature), and to the point. He cut his words as if he were used to cutting other things. “I think Mr. Mayor if those posts and chains are taken away people will be parkin’ their cars there. One chap did try once you’ll remember and carried away a post, and it cost the council quite a lot to put it in again.”

Up popped the fourth speaker. Full of life and vitality, he burst into the subject like a chick bursting its shell. “As the last speaker said, Mr Mayor, it cost the Council a lot of money to put that post in again, now they want to pull it out again at further considerable cost. Besides its safer for the women and children as it is, the ladies can take the “Herald” into that little triangle and read it in safety, take away the chains and posts and no will go to peruse Up jumped the Mayor. “I don’t want any personal matter brought into this discussion, when I came into office I was prepared to make any sacrifice. If taking away the chains and posts will prevent anyone from going to Perreau’s, well 1 can’t help that. Gentlemen I’ll put the motion.”

It was all a dVeam Mr. Editor — but do write a leader or something on it. —Those posts and the chains should be removed. They are an eyesore and serve no useful purpose. Yours faithfully, THE MISSING LINK.