ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 196, 24 February 1877, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

[We arc at all times ready to give expression to every shade of opinion, but in no case do we bold ourselves responsible for the sentiments of our correspondents.] [to THE EDITOR of the patea mail.] Sir, —Some parts of the main road through the town are rather the worse for wear. It has been good at one time, and I have no doubt but what the County Councillors will soon get to work and improve the bad places. There arc what according to the map arc streets in the township, but it would, according to my opinion, puzzle even a Philadelphia lawyer to trace them anywhere except on the map. I have many a time cast my eye along a building or a fence leading from the-main road to try and discover which was street and which were town sections. It is needless to say I was just in as great a fog after as before the experiment. What I have to complain of is that where there are a number of buildings decently close together in what is supposed to be a street, that steps are not taken to make' it trafficablc in all weathers. I will instance the sheet leading down to the Wesleyan Chapel. Of a dark rainy night anyone coming past (he Court. House with the intention of attending the ‘ Wesleyan Chapel would naturally keep pretty close to the fence-side of the footpath, and on getting to the corner of the Telegraph office would turn sharp round and feel the way along the fence. One of the iirst experiences would be that the unfortunate foot passenger would almost immediately find himself ancle deep in water and mud, for there is quite a wide deep hole right bang on what should be the footpath. Just fancy what a shock it would be to the nerves of any young lady whose especial pride was a pretty foot and a neat lifting boot to find herself ancle deep in water and mud, and how having to sit through the service with cold wet feet, would mar the good

which might otherwise have been derived from the pervasive eloquence of the preacher. Then again this said supposed street is overgrown with grass, an 1 in showery weather it is simply impossible to pa >s along without getting the feet and underclothing thoroughly drenched, though there may have been no rain for an hour or so. The grass holds the wet. and passers-by gather it np, and with an occasional llop into a water hole, they are made anything but comfortable. Their feet and clothes get wet, their tempers get rutiled, colds are often caught, the doctor has to b» sent for. and for all a body knows the undertaker may have to be called in—all through the neglect of the Town Board in not getting decent footpaths made in the public thoroughfares, It is pretty nearly as bad to get to the two other places of worship. Seeing that so many of: our fellow men, women and children are from force of habit almost compelled to use the streets in all wsalhers, and especially on Sundays to attend service. I do think the authorities should attend at least to the footpaths and get them properly formed, and keep them clear of grass and rubbish. It is a disgrace to our town, and I hope in the cases mentioned a remedy will soon be applied.—l am. &0., TOWNSMAN.