THE GREAT NOETH ROAD.

Southland Times, Issue 1188, 5 July 1869, Page 2

THE GREAT NOETH ROAD.

! (TO T£L£ ED .ICE OF TPE SOUTH f>ASTD TIMfiS.) Sir — " Heaven helps those who help themselves," is a t.'uistn none are inclined to dispute, and the suggestion it embodies is peculiarly applicable to the people of this town at the present moment, both w?th rejard to their affairs in geueval, and to the state of their roads and footbaths in. particular. The residents in Tay-street have shown an example to those of other quarters of the town in this matter, worthy of immediate mitation, putting their shoulders to the wheel willingly and unitedly for the purpose of having their footpaths gravelled properly. Heaven, ia the form of the local government, has eorae to their assistance, and they seem in a fair way of having their desires accomplished. Could not those who have occasion to frequently walk out and in the North Road — say those residing between town and the Waikivi Bush — make an effort ia the same way. The road this year has been worse, both for foot passengers and dray traffic, than it has been since the era of the celebrated baulkway. Kecently a few loads of gravel have been capsized into the biggest holes, and a broken down culvert is in process of repair, improving the road a little for carts and equestrians, but. for the large number of pedestrians, there is no provision, they must just jostle the horses and drays for the beat portions, and of course, always come off second best — neither teamsters nor mounted men being addicted to showing much consideration to those who have io trudge. Wbo ever savr either give place to a pedestrian, even although that pedestrian happened to be a lady? Nobody, I dare say. Now, Sir, I would suggest a plan for improving at least a portion of the road, the worst portion, between the end of the grating at Reese's, and Harrisville. I learn that the wooden rails of the Oreti now being

replaced by iron, are being .tossed over \ the embankments, and left there to rot. These rails make excellent kerbing — witness that from Dee-sfcreet to the Jail, ' on Spey-street — and I think they might at small expense be collected and carted to the locality in question. Two of those laid longitudinally, four feet apart, along the edge of the existing ditch, the space between being filled up with the sand from the said ditch — which badly needs scouring anyway — with 3 or 4 inches of gravel on the top would form a footpath nearly 6 feat wide, which would last for years, and cost little. I believe sufficient could be raised by subscription, to pay for the collection and cartage of the rails and gravel, and no doubt the Government would undertake the laying and formation of the footpath. Prison labor with an extra hand or two to lay the kerb, could soon put down a mile of such a simple way. I hope something will be 1 done in this matter soon, as the road is becomiag impassable. — Your's, &3., Pedestbian. June 29, 1869.