Readers Write...

Northern Advocate, 17 May 1947, Page 4

Readers Write...

In your report of the County Council meeting in last Friday's Advocate, I notice that a complaint by the Whangarei Federation A HIGHWAY’S of Women's InstiSTATE tutes concerning the MaungatapereTitoki highway was dealt with by “contending that the road had never been in better condition for 20 years, and that the person who had made the original complaint should have made contact with the council before referring it to another body.” No doubt a reply to this effect will be received by the federation, and some people will think that the complaint was uncalled for. I would like to congratulate the members of the institute on their action, and am pleased’that the women folk take an interest in county affairs. Most of them are electors of the county and are also wives and daughters of ratepayers. If they consider that an approach to the council through their federation would give more power to their elbow, they are quite entitled to do so. There may possibly have been a time-lag in getting it through, during which the council put on more metal, but large organisations sometimes move slowly. It would be just as illogical for the borough council to object to electors using the ratepayers’ association.

As to the council's reply. I would like to say there are many users who say this is a rattling good road—more rattling than good. Today it is claimed to be at its best for 20 years and. even so. if you follow the pattern of the wheel-tracks you will find motorists often driving on their wrong side to avoid potholes or sheet rock. I have used the road for 15 years, and have found it always either in potholes or covered with loose metal. There has never been a good surface as on the Dargaville road. The metal used has no binding properties, and is pushed out of the potholes after the first rain. Graders are used not much oftener than once in two months and after one has been over the road there are always several boulders over six inches in diameter deposited on the wheel-tracks, and many heaps of sods. . I notice that this road is on the 10year plan. If the council has a plan to tar-seal it and remove two dangerous corners, electors of the district would be pleased to hear of it.—R. V. T. BREWER (Whatitiri R.D.).

As an olcl hockey player I emphatically protest against the grossly unfair manner in which you report games in which the Manga- . pai hockey team takes part. If they lose it is because of bad play; if they win, it is either good luck for them or bad luck for their opponents. If they win on their home ground your paper makes excuses for the team opposing Mangapai by hounding down the local ground. Now. sir, the Mangapai team is composed of young players, keen sportsmen who are trying to carry on the good old game Mangapai has always supported, and they are entitled, for that reason alone to fair and unbiased reports. As young players they naturally expect constructive criticism, but I for one consider it unfair that these boys, keen on the game, should always be put in the worst light possible in your reports.—“FßEE HIT.”

HOCKEY REPORTS