OUR LETTER BOX

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 165, 16 July 1904, Page 2

OUR LETTER BOX

two are at all times willing to publish correspondence on matter! of public interest, but it must be distinctly understood that we are not identified with the letters of our correspondents.—Ed. Daily Nowk.J THE HENUI MUDHOLE. (To the Editor.) Sir,—l trust you will allow me space to complain of tlie serious condition of tlie main road by the llenui bridge. It is absolutely cruel to the horses employed on this road to havo to negotiato the mud oind bottomless holes which at present imperil the safety of vehicles. I have spoken to several of the men in charge of the works, or supposed to be in charge, but they one and all soy that tlioy can do nothing to it. Now I am sure that in all contracts here and elsewhere there is or should be a, strict clause dealing with this matter, viz., that all roads cut up or damaged !jy the contractor in the execution of said works stall be kept in thorough repair for traffic and otherwise made good at tlie expense of the contractor, or, If not, the council or local body reserves the right to repair the road at the contractor's expense, etc., etc. Now when I or others complain to the foreman, mgioeer or clerk of works, they invariably say they can do nothing to it. Perhaps if >tho mayor or some of the councillors lived at this end we would get it made passable. But as we are not blessed in this manner, we must wade through mud up to the knees, and the poor horses (especially 'bus horses) have to pull their lu|\i-ts out to g|et a f* w passengers through. Perhaps if some of the owners havs a few horses strained and crippwxl, and sue the council of this enlightened community for heavy damages, and obtain judgment, your councillors would say, "Oh, who would have thought it ?" I think New Plymouth is getting worse instead of Uetter. Councillors would rather send their ollicials to conferences or to honour the Governor Uian spend a few pounds in keeping their roads nt for traffic, it breaks my heart, as well as the poor horsos', to whip them through mud tw6»vc inches deep at least and great holes without any bottom. Fancy making a cutting on one side (now on both sides) and then putting on top of mud and a very soft bottom, nsix inches of old worn-out metal, which has entirely disappeared. Surely something could have been done to-day, but there is not a man to be sesn. But 1 suppose It is useless to say any more, as tho powers that be are now too much interested elsewhere, viz., in the spending of loan money, and giving largo and handsome commissions to outside engineers and others who can scratch well and make great specifications, which are not carried out, as ''.his contract shows plainly.—l am, etc., 'BUS DRIVER.