Horse-riding on roads

Press, 30 August 1980, Page 14

Horse-riding on roads

Sir, —I wish to appeal to a young horse rider I encountered this morning to keep off the busy main roads because she is a danger to herself, the horse and other road users. I do not know what the traffic rules say about horse-riding along these roads, but I feel strongly that it should be controlled, especially after what I witnessed today. A young and probably inexperienced rider was trying, and failing, to control a very nervous horse, which twice in two minutes ended up on the wrong side of the road just before a dangerous bend in Cashmere Road. The girl was wearing a crash helmet but that would not have stopped the horse and other people getting hurt if a miracle had not prevented an accident. I was not close enough to speak to the rider who was fully occupied in trving to maintain control, which included screaming at the animal. — Yours, etc., G. S. DOERR., August 27, 1980.

Rangiora Hospital Sir, — May I congratulate Miss M. Stewart (August 16) on her very forthright letter regarding the Rangiora Hospital. I have wondered for a time what the Hospital Board intends doing about the Rangiora Hospital. It appears that the board has been considering its future for some time. I, and many' local people would like to see its services extended from just maternity cases to domiciliary care, convalescence,. geriatric patients and even minor surgical matters. In fact, upon thought, the range is extensive and with the ever-in-creasing economic burden of travelling to Christchurch such services would be welcomed — not to forget the pressure that could be taken slightly off the Christchurch hospitals. As health policy is a people-orientated matter, would it not be wise for the Hospital Board to involve local public participation in the future planning of this hospital before it makes its decisions. , — Yours, etc., C. G. HAYWARD. August 28, 1980.