Safety of Tawa Flat Children

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 149, 19 March 1936, Page 11

Safety of Tawa Flat Children

Sir, —My attention has been drawn lo your report of a discussion by the Makara County Council re danger to schoolebildren on the main highway at Tawa Elat. "The council decided to write to the schoolmaster requesting him to educate the children to keep well to tbe edge of the road.” The futility of trying to “educate” in such cases is well known to teachers. Further, is it within the province of the Makara County Council to issue such requests to tbe schoolmaster? Cr. Windley’s experience is not unique. From three to four years ago I was on the road shortly before and shortly after school hours nearly every day of the week, and on the Johnsonville hill it was a regular practice of children to see how close they could get to passing motors; and even hold out their hands in an endeavour to touch them, which they sometimes succeeded in doing. Would “education” by teachers prevent 2 per cent, of such practices? Some other means of securing the safety of the schoolchildren is imperative. Apparently the Makara County Council accepts no responsibility in the matter. There is, however, an alternative scheme to that of placing a footpath along the main highway, and one the Makara County Council .might well investigate. Recent subdivisions have given road access from the school to north Tawa Flat except for a break of a few chains across laud owned I>v the Railways Department, If a road through this property could be dedicated (and, as it belongs to the Government, surely this could be achieved), a footpath connecting the existing roads could be laid down at very small cost, and the actual road formation could follow when traffic justified such, extension. That such a road will, in the near future, be needed is clear to anyone who knows the district: and the sooner the land is acquired the less will be the cost. Inany case, it is time some more comprehensive schemes were considered for districts in this transitional stage. Will the Government reappoint a town planner?—l am, etc.. S. DUNGAN. Tawa Flat, March 16.