The Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 1877.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 68, 13 June 1877, Page 2

The Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 1877.

We have again to call the attention of the Government authorities to the state m which a portion of the Main North Road through this township -has been left. The unsightly ditches which" run along either side of it for about half a mile, between the Hokowhitu shunt, and the railway crossing opposite Neese's mill, are extremely dangerous, and i^jis a wonder to us ,that we have not, .ere this, had to chronicle serious accidents m connection with them. TheMditches were'made at the time the tramway was formed, and the Government promised to fill them m as soon as the' tramway would be taken up. Many months have now elapsed since the tramway has given place to the railway, and notwithstanding that we have repeatedly referred to the matter, the ditches still remain a reproach to the Government and a danger to the townspeople. The road itself has now become a County road, but it would not be just to expect the County to fill m these drains. The Government made them for their own convenience, and from time to time distinctly promised to fill them m. They have ever been an eyesore to the residents of Palmerston and a source of great danger to travellers, -and now that the trains pass m such proximity the danger has greatly increased. Any one, who, riding or driving a nervous horse, happens to be caught m this locality just as the train is passing must be able to realise m. a lively manner the classic horrors of Charybdis and Scylla. Ulysses with; his drawn sword was not more impo•tent to avert the dread catastrophe than the unfortunate equestrian or charioteer seems to be m the moment that his. steed swerves from the steam monster to the brink of the yawning ditch. Some ac,cidents have already occurred, happily not, of a serious character. Only the other day a horse was frightened by the train and. threw its rider into one of the ditches. People can generally find some room for laughter at a throw from a horse when no hurt is sustained. But m a place such as we have described a " throw " is almost as likely to be fatal as funny. As it is, the utmost care has to be exercised by persons passing along this portion of the road m charge of horses unaccustomed to the train. Valuable time is lost nearly every day by persons waiting for the" locomotive to be out- of the way before committing themselves to the track. The danger at night is likewise very great particularly to strangers entering the township. A very slight divergence would precipitate them into an abyss of the existence of which they are ignorant. I Palmerston has now become too populous and important to have its main thoroughfare beset with pit-falls. ' The danger is manifest and indisputable, the i duty of the Government to redeem their i promise and give a safe thoroughfare to 1 their taxed people 1 is equally so. It is time therefore that a strong remonstrance should be made against any further delay of the Government m the i performance of this very necessary ! work, ■ -