The Daily News. THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1912. MOVING THINGS ALONG.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 171, 18 January 1912, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1912. MOVING THINGS ALONG.

Correspondents and callers are still showing much interest in little local matters, and there is almost evidence of an awakening on the part of citizens to the fact that New Plymouth is one Of the most neglected towns in New Zealand. A gentleman reminded us that in the matter of footpaths New Plymouth is in a disgraceful condition. We agree. The parsimony of the authorities would suggest! that tar was a precious commodity only won at great expense and #t risk to life and limb. Everyone is aware that many much-used thoroughfares are innocent of any paving whatever, and that some o£ the sidy-walks jn wet weather are'mere chains ofSfwater-holes through which the citizen flounders as best he may. The suggestion that th 6 authorities are in league with the golosh trade and the gum-'boot business is possibly intended to be humorous. The Council very possibly is asked to interest itself in the matter of footpaths, would exclaim, "But look at the expense!" On the other hand, look at the discomfort of the influenza, sprained ankles and pneumonia that could be preventel by a reasonable expenditure in that precious material, tar. Few towns regard tar as a miner regards gold. The probable reason why rheumatic subjects find relief in hot baths containing sodas and other minerals is that even plain hot water bathing is not common to them. The New Plymouth person dashes off to Rotorua or Te Aroha or elsewhere, ignoring the fact that his own hot salt water baths are more efficacious in gout or other rheumatic affection than any of the thermal baths. Either in chronic or acute rheumatism the New Plymouth hot salt water baths are magnificently curative. Nobody ever says anything about them. Booh! They're only in New Plymouth! If one had to spend a ten pound note to get them they would be worth using. There is also urgent need for a better system of filtration of the New Plymouth water supply. Try for yourself. Let a few gallons of water flow into your bath. You will soon have a sediment that would be excellent for growing potatoes in, but distinctly unpleasant as food. The water drinker is also bound to believe that lie gets much condensed vegetation with his drink. We are not partial to the medieaL fad of boiling drinking water, unless it is known to contain disease germs, for it was never intended that the natural drink should be "killed," but hygiene demands that the w.iter supply of a people should lie as free from dirt particles and insect breeding vegetation as science can make it. New Plymouth attracts visitors. It is a vcrv

beautiful place, apart from the place where its business is done, but there is a disposition to neglect much-prized beauty spots. Few towns having a prize like Marsland Hill, for instance, would begin to make a decent approach to it, and then suddenly get tired. The spirit of "tailioa" is the evil that lias to 'be fought daily in New Plymouth. The work put into Pukekura Park is apparently grudged, and although tjie Park has no equal in the world, if we are to believe trustworthy visitors of wide travel, the people who it don't seem to be aware of it. With a gem like the Pukekura Park many towns would take a remarkable pride in it and supply the necessary cash for its upkeep 'by experts who would not be expected to combine the jobs of expert and navvy, horticulturalist and gardener, bushman and botanist. The world generally does not know until it drops right into New Plymouth that it has attractions that should make it one of the earth's show places. Where is all the literature about New Plymouth? Where are the illustrated booklets, the photographic records of some of the most beautiful scenes in the world? There is money in advertising New Plymouth, inlkeeping it clean, in demolishing its ramshackle buildings, in spending some shillings on improvements to attract the five pound notes. The idea .that we should hobble along in the ancient conservative way is all wrong, and unfortunately the young folk don't seem to desire to progress faster than their grandfathers. We are aware that many citizens will angrily declare that New Plymouth has nothing to learn from anybody. It is this belief that keeps the town stagnant and dilapidated and upprogressiye. To appeal to the wealthy citizens is futile. If the leader? of tlie people show no desire to push along the people themselves can be excused for a lethargy that is unique of its kind in a town this size.