NELSON-PICTON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 14 April 1928, Page 2

NELSON-PICTON

(To the Editor) Sir.—No| -o very long ago I often pin in practical test the truth of the living that "the loiigesi way round i- the shortest way home." Little did I e.vpecl thai on reaching the rank of paterfamilias. 1 would he encouraged |,v many of the most staid-looking members of the community to continue my merry experiments. Well. Sir. virtuously have I protested against this mockery of truth but all to no purpose. Seeking right for myself. T have found that the longest way round is by far the longest way home. Let our frisky elders rant against the insubordination of the younger genera- ' lion ii they will, but there is my I opinion and 1 stick to it ! You will agree that 1 have reason mi my side. 1 put it to you as one thinking man to another. Is it no! shorter to travel .">s miles than 100? After twelve months' consideration of ||„. matter I have concluded ihat it is. We can shorten the present route between Nelsoll and Pictoll l)V -10 miles; Via I lie Wangamoa, b'ai and Blenheim the distance i- nearly H>o miles. Via tic Mauugalapu. Haveloek and the Grove it is under (it). The cost of a deviation would be considerable but the cost, of improving the present road to bring it up to anything like reasonably good condition. plus the cost uf travelling those extra .in miles by thousands of vehicles l',,i the next .",11 vats also would be considerable. Then add the cost of loss of traffic which "in virile neighboms are wooing and we ait ive at the cost of cold feet. Blenheim- clever little wangle to West pott is safely docketed under "National Allaiix." Good luck to her! Now let us go and do likewise, or a I least, look hard :H those .pi miles through a theodolite before resigning ourselves to the peace of that quiet little backwater which "awake Nelson" and many others can see forming behind the 100 miles between Pieton and Nelson.

Do \vi- realise that ii would 1 nly (en mile, hmjier from I'ieton to Murcilisiiii \ i;i the st)»jii'stO(l Hew route ■111(1 Nelson than it is l»y the new lii<rliWiiv via lileiiheim and Tn|>house? ''l course, it is possible ilint road iraflie may eventually jriw way to wiu.tr-'. 'it is always advisable t.> wateli tin* (I'elld ill" lllilljrs lof twenty ..]• thirty venrs liefore rushing into aetion. Disii"_ r ardiu<;' this possibility. ro;id users durinir the nest thirty years will enul liluite nn\ I hint.' up to sixi \ million pounds I'or road |.ni (..►-.■ . ilue :1 1!«> -*- - ; i m,■ I it'll t_«j made t'..i ii;; t ura 1 iuerea *«■ in | hi' llllllilier nl' \ ehieles f lull linl the mans liltle 'mere i-i-- in laxalioii vet 1,, ~,'nni. i. It' ~nr\e\ s .li-. diisc t h;il the 111 miles eolllil he elippcil nut al teasonahle eosl. i-ouMiM we also w ;inul«" n lii i|e "S»\ imiiil all'air" and earmark trilmt inns '.- I am. eie., PERSPECTIVE. Nelson, 13th April.