BICYCLE RIDING ON FOOTPATHS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3189, 14 May 1909, Page 5

BICYCLE RIDING ON FOOTPATHS.

To the Editor. Sir,—l have frequently noticed the free use cyclists make of the footpaths in this town, and wondered why this forbidied practice has been left unchallenged by the broken byelaw made in protection of pedestrians, for whom alone the footpaths are intended. I regret being compelled to break the peaceful silence brooding over us on this matter, as a few days ago I very narrowly escaped a very serious, if not a fatal accident, through this unjustifiable use of civic liberty b> one whom I took to be a tradesman, doing down a certain street about 5.10 in the evening, on the side opposite to that where my house is, I was just on the point of leaving the footpath to cross over to my own gate, when a man-laden bike suddenly and swiftly whizzed by me, with such force and nearness as to raise quite a strong gust pf wind me, though the evening was quite calm. Another second, and my intended step streetward would have been taken, and I hardly see how at my time of life I could have escaped the end. And had I then done what I sometimes do —sprung suddenly forward to leave the footpath— I could not possibly havs escaped the end. I may say I am very careful as to the danger of bikes and vehicles on their own grounds, never crossing a street without first looking both ways in precaution. I have also had bikes very cautiously pass me on the footpaths, both in following and meeting me. But cyclists "performing" on the tow n footpaths area dangerous nuisance which should be effectually dealt with by those in authority to do so.- I am, etc., RESIDENT. Masterton, May 12th, 1909. ,

To the Editor. Sir, —As regards an article in your issue of May 13th, headed "The Wairarapa Lake—Who Owns It?" m which a complaint made by Mr Turnor is being placed before the Acclimatisation Society, I wish to save the Society's valuable time in discussing the matter. I wish to point out that MrTurnor's statements are a gross misrepresentation through, I hope, ignorance of the subject he has taken in hand. The true facts of the case are briefly as follows:—On May Ist Mr Turnor, with a motor car and a party of four, appeared on my property in Lower Valley, known as TeHopai.He pitched his tents, neither asking or receiving any permission from me. He shot all day on the Ist, and half of the 2nd, when I caught him, informed him that he was a trespasser, and asked him to leave. He pleaded to be allowed to remain till the riext morning, which I granted, and for which he was very grateful at the time. Mr Turnor states that he was wading in the Wairarapa Lake. Such was not the case. He was on the Te Hopai lagoon, owned by Mr C. Matthews, of Oporua, and myself. This lagoon we try to preserve as a sanctuary for the rapidly decreasing ducks of the Lake, allowing only natives who derive a living tfrom the swans during the winter months, and a few of our personal friends, to shoot on it. We are both rangers, and do our best to protect the birds to a reasonable extend has nothing to do with the main lake, which is some four or five miles'due west, so Mr Turnor was certainly not ordered off the Wairarapa Lake: indeed he most likely never even saw it. The main lake contains some 35,000 acres, I believe, all of which is opento be shot over. Surely this is sufficient area for. even the keenest sports without trespassing on private lands.—l am, etc., E. C. CARLTON HOLMES. Lansdowne, Masterton, May 13th, 1909.