TRACTION ENGINES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2681, 17 September 1889, Page 2

TRACTION ENGINES.

TO TIIK KDITOIf. Silt,—Will you allow mo a small spaco in your valuable paper to reply to Mr Oaten' letlet re traction ntisines in your issue of Saturday, the lGt.li inst. Surely Mr Coates most have been troubled with an attiek of " bile," otherwise I cannot think ho would have made such an exhibition of penuriousness arid thoughtlessness. Venuriouxnessit must be, for the whole tiling would only have cost him an extra shilling or two, as there are generally one or two extra men bi'hind or along side the ongine, and one might as. well be ahead with a Hag to warn the peoplo of its approach ; thoughtlessness it is also, for surely Mr Coates knows well that there nrealways lots of traps on the street sides with, perhaps, only a woman or a child to mind a restless horse, and though an accident has not actually happened, it is no icason why an engine should be allowed to go through the streets without a flagman in advance, till such time as one has happened. Why Mr Coates should feel grieved I do not know ; the thing is compulsory in many other places, and is not done merely on his account, but with a view to the future, when there will, no doubt bo many more smell engines in the district. As regards boycotting and such like nonsense, this is not worth noticing, and no doubt I shall survive it. If my friend, Mr Coates, has a talent for such things, no doubt lie would be able to make a name for himself in poor old Ireland, such talent is more appreciated theie than here. As regards " taxation," allow me to inform Mr Coates that the Waipa County Council are quite able to judge for themselves what is necessary for the welfare of the district they represent, without his kind assistance. Lastly, I should like to ask him if he considers it a manly thine to attack any one irjember of a board for what is carried unanimously by such a board. I feel sure my friend Mr Coates uiksl: have been suffering from dyspepsia when he sat down to spoil a good sheet of paner.—l am etc., John' RiiH.Eii. Hamilton, September Kith 1889.