OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1939, Page 6

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS (To the Editor.) Sir,—As an advocate last year of safety crossings in Masterton, I was particularly pleased to note reports in your journal of recent further’ efforts to “move the mountain”—the Borough councillors —in the matter of providing crossings locally; and these efforts are being ably supported by correspondents in your columns. After writing twice to your newspaper and noting the results as reflected in council discussions on the question, I have come to the conclusion that it is a waste of time to advocate further. The solution lies with the residents themselves: to do without the crossings until the next mayoral election, then vote in a new and progressive council. It is unfortunate, but absolutely true, that the councillors are, meanwhile, “on the box seat” in this matter—legislative authority does not exist to compel the council to provide this form of ' public protection. The sole remaining alternative lies in the possibility of the Mayor or a councillor being themselves a victim in the main street! Tn conclusion, Sir, congratulations to you for your subeditorial in today’s issue.—l am, etc., HOMAI TE RINGARINGA EHOA. Masterton, May 19. A MOTORIST’S CONTENTIONS (To the Editor.) Sir, —Amid all this condemnation of our Mayor and councillors, may I congtatulate them on the stand they are taking in not foisting pedestrian crossings on this town. As one who has driven all kinds of motor vehicles, from the modest seven-horse power car to a ten-ton truck, and in the last twenty years has driven approximately half a million miles without killing anybody or ever having an accident, I think I may speak with a certain amount of authority. I have come to the conclusion that the pedestrian crossings in other towns are more or less death-traps — more especially when strangers are driving in the town. There is usually no indication that they exist and the stranger motorist is on them before he knows where he is. Then, too, the local pedestrian, happy in a sense of false security, seldom if ever deigns to look for approaching traffic. Probably thoughts of vast sums that a sympathetic jury will award as damages if some “fool motorist” knocks them down may have something to do with this. Even now in Masterton it is no uncommon sight to see people having an animated conversation in the middle of the crossing. No, Sir, let us not follow like a lot of sheep behind other towns and litter the place with pedestrian crossings. Have lights by all means—then everyone knows exactly where they are. Your correspondent, R. N. Shaw, hit the nail right on the head when he said in regard to Mr Stringer. He (Mr Stringer) had visited 24 schools and delivered road safety talks to 22,500 children, etc. Yet, Mr Shaw, writing of three corners near schools, quite definitely asserts that: “Three times during the day the number of children who irresponsibly run risks at the above-mentioned places is legion.”' Does this not rather lead one to believe that Mr Stringer is wasting his time? ■ |

Let us keep this town free of these pedestrian crossings. Pedestrians will, and do find that the local motorist will give them every courtesy at the crossings and that the stranger will also. “ As a matter of local interest it might be interesting to learn how many accidents involving pedestrians and motor vehicles have occurred at the crossing mentioned by previous correspondents, taking into consideration the number of cars and pedestrians using the crossings during the course, of say, the last five years.—-Yours, etc., B.S.H. Masterton, May 19. WHAT CAUSED THE QUOTA? (To the Editor.) Sir,—The drought forced the farmers’ ewes and wethers into the works, about half fat, to the extent of 600,000 above normal. Therefore the farmers are now 600,000 below normal carrying capacity. The stock that has been killed can’t be got back. When the feed grows between now and spring, they will be falling over one another to get stock to keep their feed down. —I am, etc., A.H.T. Masterton, May 19.