A CRITICISM OF DUNEDIN TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19500, 8 June 1925, Page 8

A CRITICISM OF DUNEDIN TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, — In five ox six months Dunedin, sill be entertaining strangers from all parts of the world. At present, by means of view cards, pamphlets, and speeches, JJunodin is advertising herself in a most unbluiahing way. But will she be fit to be seen by those visitors? On the various holidays we have taken lately I have wandered round my old home town having a look at her, trying to see her through a stranger’s eyes. I always say the best way to get to know a town is to walk about it—riders and drivers see very little though they go further in a shorter time. During my walks I have seen many signs of neglect and parsimony, and of careless and hasty work on the part of various council employees, hut will mention only four, which the various authorities may find time 4p rectify before the Exhibition opens. 1. The concrete covering the bricks of the old original Hospital building is breaking away in an unsightly manner, and has been doing so for several years. Can the ratepayers not afford to keep their public buildings in good repair? 2. The footpaths and streets are not kept clean. Dunedin is one of the most unsanitarily slovenly town s I have walked througn. “Dear, sweet, red-roofed Dunedin’’—purrs some sentimental gasser from her motor car as the discreet taxi-driver rushes round the Belt! “Dirty Dunedin,” say I, 3. The Anderson’s Bay Cemetery is a place where visitors from far and near will be taken. The lavatory arrangements are abominable —primitive in the extreme and entirely inadequate to the requirements of the public! Does the sanitary inspector not cal! there? A salubrious spot. 4. Several times during the last few years I have, pushed my way through entangling and irritating and, at present, soaking wet lupins in the effort to walk round the cliffheads from Tomahawk Beach to Lawyer’s Head. It is a fresh invigorating walk with the most delightful ocean views, including one or two precarious spots from which the sea-lover can watch spray effects to his heart’s content. Eor some people, an hour or two spent close to the roar and splashing of the deep sea rollers in their fight with the land is equivalent in beneficial effect on nerve and spirit to a week or more in an expensive nerve rest hospital. Many years ago that walk was clear though heavy with sand. Now it is almost impassable to the ordinary walker. Is there no one who will arise and cause to be formed a marine parade with a neat white fence on the seaward side? Of course the St. Clairites will raise a howl of protest, but I think there is room for both. If little Timaru can provide marine parades and seafront improvements, I wonder at Dunedin having such an unfinished waste of useful pleasure ground.—l am, etc., Get On Or Get Out. June 3*