AS OTHERS SEE US.

Evening Star, Issue 20511, 16 June 1930, Page 8

AS OTHERS SEE US.

TO TUB EDITOR. Sir, —As a Christchurch visitor to your city, 1 have seen much to admire and approve. 1 also have seen one or two things which might be amended or abolished with advantage. The street lighting system could be much improved. If, instead of the lamps being placed on a pole directly over the side channel, they were placed on an iron bracket attached to the pole and hung 6ft from the channel out in the roadway there would not be those shadows of apparent darkness which are now seen along Princes street. What with verandahs and other obstructions in some places, it is quite dark on some of the footpaths in the city. Then, take the miserable globes and the more miserable shades. They almost look as if they came out of Noah’s Ark, and they are not suitable for a city of the character of Dunedin. It almost looks now as if the globe was there to prevent the light from being seen. The shade, instead of being about eight inches in diameter, should b© sixteen to eighteen inches in diameter, of a reflecting character; it would then throw the light down on the road and footpath, instead of allowing it to illuminate the stars and moon. The present shade seems only for the purpose of throwing the rain away from the lamp, and not for deflecting the light on to the road and footpath. Then take the case of the tram, it is difficult now from the sidewalk to discern the destination of the cars. It requires almost a magnifying glass to do so. Why the authorities should be afraid to let the people know the way the car is going is incomprehensible. Why not place the notice higher, and in a more bold relief, with letters of a larger dimension? Why the City Council should allow the abominable and dangerous iron trapdoor and other irons facing on the streets is unaccountable to me. They are a menace to everyone, and should bo removed.—l am., etc., W. T. Thomas. June 16. [Our correspondent’s hints, in his original letter, are preceded fay a lengthy eulogy of Dunedin, which would not be 'novel.—Ed. E.S.]