Road Board Vagaries.

Otago Witness, Issue 2056, 20 July 1893, Page 24

Road Board Vagaries.

TO (THE EDITOB. Bib,— Your Anderson's Bay correspondent in your last week's issue vents his wrath on the vagaries of the road board. lam inclined to think he is a shareholder of the ferry company and living in anticipation of a dividend from the washdirt of the dredge. I trust they will bottom shortly and bo able to declare a handsome return. Whatever knowledge your correspondent may possess on ferries or dredges, it v . evident from his remarks that he 'knows little of the making and maintenance of public roads. Be cays the members of the board do not dispense their favours with an even hand. They have given one -resident notice to lop off the branches of his trees which overhang the road, ... &c, while they have granted permission to his neighbour to plant trees on the level road opposite his property, &0., &c. > Be notice to lop off the branches, &o. Complaint was made to the board of the danger to traffic generally, and especially to milkmen in the early morning when H was blowing hard, their horses being frightened by the noise' of the trees, and at any moment the branches might have fallen and caused an accident. Then as to granting permission to the other party; the board was quite • justified in doing co, because the trees are of a different kind, being chiefly ornamental shrubs —the others being gum trees. As to the comparison made by your correspondent of the trees planted for the sole benefit of the last-named gentleman and :not in any way for the public good, I cannot agree with him, but consider the 'gentleman referred to deserves credit for what he has' done. In his case no harm is done to the road in the other case harm was done. Me the trees planted by the public, and which have been destroyed. The first part of the public ?> planted he trees on the formation of the road on each ide some distance from the watertable, ' and erected a 'triangular fence of rough goai ; posts, and a.4 by 2 rail, taking np 3ft or 4ft each side of tie road ; the second part of the public ' destroyed the trees, apparently considering them to be a nuisance and an obstacle to traffic. Hoping your 'correspondent will be in better health the next time he writes on road board matters. — I am, &c, . . A Member of the Board.