"CURSE THE ROADS!"

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 51, 21 July 1914, Page 4

"CURSE THE ROADS!"

Tile record of lumVisui ami sul-

feriiig \v!iiih appeared in Saturday's tssue relative to tlic conveyance by road from Mol;au to Xew Plymouth hospital of tlio victim of a bush accident should cause an outburst of just indignation and protest against such a scandalous state of afl'airs being possible in those days. The press has almost grown weary in its contiguous efforts to secure

ior tlie settlers and workers in the baeS;blocks the provision of roads that are worthy of the name, .but the era of mud tiacks still continues to the lasting disgrace of those responsible. Unfortunately. the process of settling new country involves great risks of life and iimn, and that is all the greater reason why those who have the courage to face these lisks should at least he placed in a position to have their injuries attended to at once. Instead of that, a stalwart hiishfaller working thirty miles up the Mokau river is suddenly struck down, and it is only after almost superhuman eflorts of his heroic companions that 1:« is brought within reach of medical aid and then brought 011 to 'New Plymouth over so-called roads that must have caused indescribable agony to the patient sufferer. The accident happened at one o'clock in the afternoon of Tuesday, and it was not until five o'clock on Friday morning that the sufferer reached the hospital. The pluck and heroism ol the men who brought their stricken comrade tin ough the bush and strained every nerve to get him properly attended to are beyond all praise, yet, like, the grand heroes of British history, they would blush to find how highly honored is the deed they accomplished out of pure goodness of heart and brotherly love, and the same may with equal truth be said of D'r Wvlie, who faced and overcame the terrible journey, part of which took eight .hours to traverse sixteen miles in a light buggy. Surely, thin last case should arouse the responsible authorities to a sense of their duty in providing proper access at all times ot the year to the back-blocks. It was only a day or two back we pointed out the grand work of the pioneers called for practical sympathy, and now conns this further instance of great suffering on account of bad roads, llow long will the people of Taranaki put up with sucii a scandal and disgrace? Those who have any fellow feeling might well demand that an end should be put to existing apathy, and .the main roads, at any rate, should be metalled. It only needs determination and a. united front to compel the provision of this urgent need, ft is 110 use feeling indignant and taking no action to obtain a remedy. There comes a time when it is criminal to he inactive, and that time has arrived in connection with roading matters in the northern part of this district. Tt is to be hoped that this latest story of suffering and heroism will be productive of good, and that before another winter arrives, there will be no cause for anyone to "curse the roads."