THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1919. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Otaki Mail, Volume 27, 29 October 1919, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1919. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Main Road Widening. i Perhaps the busiest piece of main read in the Horowhenua County is that short stretch between tiie Mill Road railway crossing and the junction with Waerenga Road. Owing to the want of foresight by those responsible for our local government when the road was formed, this thoroughfare is only half a chain in width. In addition to the great amount of through motor traffic, which is ever increasing, this road has to carry the exccpititmal amount of traffic to and from the railway station, the Otaki Dairy Co.'s factory, and the Rahui Co-op. Dairy Co.’s factory. There are two particularly i bad corners on this short stretch of thoroughfare—the one bv Mr Kirk’s, and that by the Wacrenga road junction. At these spots several accidents ■ have already occurred, and unless improved there will always be a menace to the public safety. The Horowhenua County Council and the Otaki Town Board have discussed various schemes for obviating the danger by making a deviation, and' also by widening the present road, but as yet nothing effective has been done. The destruction of Mrs Quill’s buildings on the corner of the main road and Arthur street, opposite Messrs Bills and Mooie’s branch store, renders the widening of ] the road in that particular place a much j simpler proposition than it was hithcito, | • and we would suggest that the Town j Board at once take the matter in hand, ! and see if they cannot secure the land. This Corner is one of the very worst on the road, and now that the buildings are no longer an obstacle, it should not be a very expensive matter to secure the land and widen the road from the corner as far as Mr Cornish’s smithy. We are quite aware that the Town Board has not much money to spare, but this is a matter of such importance as to demand immediate attention. Catering for Visitors. Now that the holiday season is drawing near, and seeing that Otaki is fast gaining in popularity as a holiday resort, it would be well if we made the town and environments as attractive as possible, and remedied many little deficiencies which detract from the comfort and pleasure of those who come among us to enjoy themselves. • The road to the seaside re-sort is at present in a very bad condition, especially at the western end, where loose j beach gravel makes things most unpleasant for motorists and drivc-rs of other vehicles, while cyclists find it impossible to get along. The Town Board and the County Coaneli, both of which bodies have jurisdiction over this road, should certainly be approached with a view to having the J road remedied immediately, -otherwise ‘ ; c wjii seriously affect the popularity of "* daring the coming season, he- bc-av- —ad is, we under- (: the worst part of tov . * fife— » fiand, in the County Council _ the greater part of Tasman, road (under

the Town Board) being in fair order. The ratepayers have a right to expect better treatment than has been meted out to them by the County' Council in respect to this road, which is of very great importance during the summer mouths. Wo would also like to suggest that steps be taken to erect some dressing-sheds at convenient spots at the beach. The beach in the vicinity of thb Seaside Besort is an ideal one for surf bathing, but it is a very serious drawback having no dressing-sheds. To erect a few.sheds would not prove costly, and we feel sure the public would respond to an appeal made for assistance in this direction. It has beon suggested, to us, further, that a regular motor service between the town, and the beach be established. Doubtless if this were done it would prove a payable proposition, and it would certainly be a great convenience to the general public. The tidying-up of the streets, renovation of dilapidated fences, and demolition of unsightly buildings would also tend to create a more favourable impression among visitors, and we would ask for the cordial co-operation of the townspeople generally in this direction. We have a great many natural advantages in Otaki and district, and should make the most ol these, and help in every way possible to make the place attractive to visitors.