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Otago Daily Times, Issue 18508, 20 March 1922, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—l am thankful that Mr Harvey has made it clear beyond doubt that the Opoho tramway extension would bo the first undertaken, as provided by the City Council. Individual councillors have given the same undertaking to me personally. I hope tho Opoho residents and ratepayers will stand no nonsense but will insist, on the honourable fulfilment, of that pledge Doctors have blamed tho number of deaths in child birth in the past upon inefficient mid wives. I think if they had seen, as I have seen, young mothers carrying heavy children wheeling perambulators with babies and numerous parcels up the hill to Opoho they would have found another cause of this mortality. It is absolutely distressing to see these young mothers pushing these perambulators up the steep hills. Mothers nowadavs cannot got help, even if they can afford it, and they have no one to go messages. Of necessity they have to take the baby and young members of their family with them. Surely our councillors ought to consider the welfare of these young mothers. Is it, more important that racing and gambling folk should have a tram to their racecourse gates, think you? Our Mayor and councillors from Mr Downie Stewart up to the present Mayor have given me personally, from platform r.t election times, a distinct promise that they would, if elected, do all in their power to provide the residents of Onoho with a tram car up the hill. Years have passed; many have died: others, on account of old age, have had to sacrifice their property as they were no longer able to climb these hills As a resident of 45 years, who has paid’ a full share of rates and taxes. I *ay that it will be unjust if any councillor should now try and evade a promise given again and again. Naturally one asks the question. What is wrong with Opoho that it is so unfairly treated? The answer is that, although Opoho is one of the healthiest suburb!*, and is the rearmost suburb of Dunedin its residents have included, no member of J ailiamcnt, no wealthy citizen, or councillor, or land speculator, but. only decent, quiet folk who have had 100 much faith in electioneering promises. Councillor Bcgg made a sensible suggestion that the unemployed be put to the work instead of cutting’ down gorso and California thistles on the Town Belt.—l am, etc., Opoho, March 17.