MOTORISTS AND THE ROADS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 1514, 9 November 1912, Page 10

MOTORISTS AND THE ROADS.

Sir, The ot/ier day, in connection with an accident to one of Mr. Merining's motor cars at Mange re, Air. Honiung paid tliat ■ tray cattlo arc a continual annoyance to motorists, and that he was of opinion that unites steps are taken to aba to the evil a very eerious accident will happen one day. Mow, sir, the "wandering cattlo" that Mr. Henning speaks of so disparagingly are j licenced, and contribute very considerably i to the revenue of our road district, whereas I the motors do 10 times more damage to the i roads than our own trathc, and do not contribute one penny towards their upkeep. You recently < referred to some county council in Australia which charges all the wheel tax on motors, and lets other vehicles go free. This to my mind, and I think most settlers who have to do with the motor nuisance near the city will agree with me, is only right and proper- Wo get no benefits from the motors, and setting aside the t iamagc they do to tho roads, they damage, 4 rowing crops and hay with dust. It is alls ost impossible to fatten stock in any pad-d-a cks near tho main roads, tho cars disturb kbtun so much. It is not safe for ladies to. drive themselves on tl>e roads. One lately driving herself near her© was forced off her proper side of. the road by a motorist into some newly-laid scoria. I think Mr. Parr is qui Us right in saying the licenses, are granted too easily in Auckland. It is impossible to enjo.v a quiet drive on oui roads now, especially on a Sunday afternoon. Tho unfortnmite ratepayer is forced into the side of tho road, smothered in dust, and lialfpoisoned by the. vile, smell each car leaves behind. Then there is the "night 'bird class," which come out here after the hotels close, and make night hideous with their shrieks and yells. The polico should be able to dc> something with these. Some of the motorists one meets are' most considerate, but I'm afraid the majority of them think the roads are only made and kept in repair for them to see how fast their cars can travel. If your Auckland Automobile Association contributed, say, £1000 a year to the funds of this road district it would help a little to repair the damage they do to the roads. Mangers Ratepayer. Ma.ugere, November- 2, 1912.