“KEEP TO THE LEFT”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22831, 16 March 1936, Page 13

“KEEP TO THE LEFT”

TO THE EDITOR Sir,— As a visitor to your city, may I be permitted to comment adversely on the manner in which your citizens sprawl all over the streets? My host advises me that your civic authorities have made endeavours to get pedestrians to observe the rule of keeping to the left by putting chalk lines down the footpaths and by exhibiting notices at various points, but why not commence'by instilling in children the rule of keeping to the left? I have had occasion during my visit to walk down Stuart and Rattray streets very frequently, and it is appalling to see the way in which secondary school pupils monopolise the whole of the street, walking frequently five and six abreast, yesterday I passed groups of five and six boys and girls, each with an attache case, and several with violin cases in addition. No consideration was shown to . other pedestrians, and no apologies were made when bumps were given. One technical College girl was so busy shouting to a group coming behind that she appeared quite unconscious of the fact that she had given me a severe bump with her case. For the rest of the block my friend and I walked on the road. 1 was surprised to learn that between these groups were several teachers, who apparentlj accept the present condition of things without demur and meander up with the children. In contrast to the above it was a delight to see pupils of private schoojs walking along your streets in a long line of two only abreast. —1 am, etc., Commence with the Young.