THE CITY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12403, 12 July 1902, Page 10

THE CITY COUNCIL.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir,—lt is really painful to see'the inconvenience and distress delicate 'women and children are exposed to when they are compelled to travel in the open cars, used on ike south end, arid .which, ore invariably Selected for the longest journsyei For .a delicate woman or child to sit in 'one'of these wind-swept cars, on a cold night is Ito court an attack of \ inflammation o[ the lungs. It is even dangerous for a br.sineEP man, leaving his warm office,■ and worse for the • artisan, who lias probably just left a warm workshop and warmer work There is no reason why the ends should not he closed with sliding doors overlapping each other, and the sides could be closed with a calico screen with battens, Each car could bo made safe to health for about £?. 103.-. . • I do not know who is responsible, for these cars. The Tramways Committee, 1 take it, is gravely.in fault, and although these gentlemen give much valuable time gratuitously to the city, it must bo remembered that they give it. voluntarily'; and, also, that if Ihev do not discharge their duties properly they are hindering other men from making an attempt- to improve : matters.' It would he a thousand times better, if the council appointed a thoroughly qualified men to manage the tramways, and one who j could run the new system as well. It 'is I absurd to cxpcct that the city engineer can i spare time to this work—his hands are i overful already. What is wanted is an executive officer | who thoroughly understands his work, and i when he is found give him a free hand, ami j let him alone. Just at present the results of municipal management are not reassuring'. 1 The gas supply is not exactly perfect, tho i tramway service is open to much criticism, | the streets are in the worst condition they have been in for 20 years. Tho council is involved in disputes with at least two of tho suburbs, and there is every prospect of a decided increase in municipal rates. | Thorn must bo more tjhan one screw loose in' tho municipal-machine, and ratepayers are growing dissatisfied, and this is the only bright side to the picture.—l am. etc., Borokss No. Two.