Citizens Say-

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 892, 8 February 1930, Page 8

Citizens Say-

(To the Editor.)

TELEPHONE TROUBLES Sir,— As a constant user of City slot telephones, may I add my complaint to those which, from time to time, have appeared in your journal. Auckland’s slot telephones undoubtedly are in an indifferent state of repair and there appears to be no regular and organised method of testing and adjustment. Only yesterday I was obliged to spend fourpence on a single ring because, each time I began, the line was “unswitched” with a click that left my ears tingling. Frequently one is disinclined to go to the trouble of visiting the Chief Post Office for the purpose of securing a refund and, if one does, it is a difficult matter to obtain satisfaction. Naturally the department is easy because the more people spend in the boxes the better it is for revenue. ANNOYED. SCOPE FOR THE CITY ENGINEER Sir, —- Now that Mr. James Tyler, an Aucklander with local knowledge of .Vuckland needs, has been appointed City Engineer to the satisfaction of manv citizens, I hope that he will make his mark in his new post, not so much as regards spectacular schemes, but more in the ordinary works of city engineering. Scores of streets and hundreds of footpaths in the city area require practical attention. These offer an appealing opportunity for a generous use of local tar and sand. A formidable schedule of broken paths and pot-holed thoroughfare® coulo be compiled easily, but in this age of selfishness each ratepayer may be pardoned for pressing the needs of his own residential locality. Frankly I wish to enter a plea on behalf of the residents along Brighton Roar! Parnell. They appear to have no representation in the City Council No councillor resides in or very near the rough thoroughfare. Its condition gives proof of long neglect. The

main road is worse than the highway to Dublin. The building of flats now under construction has not improved the already bad conditions. A chain of footpath has been virtually out of commission for months. Why not reduce the width of the paths and the roadway and make a pleasant avenue of the present stony wilderness? As one who supports the promotion of local talent, I would be glad to see Mr. Tyler begin his promising career as City Engineer by proving in my street that he is a first-class roadmender. A PATIENT RATEPAYER. WATERFRONT ROAD TRANSPORT Sirin the present year the opening up of the waterfront road as far as St. Heliers Bay as a permanent thoroughfare seems assured, but an important factor iri connection with the road — passenger transport—appears to have had little or no serious consideration as far as the general body of the public is concerned. That the road will prove the most popular one in the city of Auckland is acknowledged, even at the present time—months before its anticipated completion—but the firm establishment of its popularity will undoubtedly depend on transpoi’t facilities. On February 3 of this year I read in The Sun a very interesting account by an Auckland gentleman following his return from a 3 2 months’ tour abroad, setting forth his impressions of the utility of trackless trolleys as a modern .means of passenger transport. That the waterfront road will demand and justify the best system obtainable must be apparent to the most casual observer, and no time should be allowed to slip by in arranging for the best system to be available upon the opening of the road. Tiie very large sum of public | money spent in making the road an j accomplished fact—some £350,000 apj proximately, to which must be added [ cost of maintenance, lighting, beauti-

tying, etc., after the road is complej—justifies me in urging upon Tarnsport Board the necessity ot taining the road for passenger port under its own management, urging this upon the board, I f®/ tident that it must recognise the portance of the best transport being established to cater success®®* for the public, and thus reap a some financial return to assist liquidating the expenditure of money in construction of the road, the yearly commitments necessary* its upkeep. I certainly think the should give a definite public pronoun*-* ment as to its intentions regaraiu® the road without delay. J.B- *•