Citizens Say —

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 842, 10 December 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

A DANGEROUS FOOTPATH Sir, —■ _ , There is a footpath between Portland Road and Dilworth Avenue that is not only a disgrace, but a menace to public safety. It hugs Mount Hobson. It is about 12 inches wide. One person only can walk along this route and if lie meets another coming the opposite way it is necessary to adopt a sideways walk, crab fashion. Even when there is no “traffic congestion" there is the danger that a projecting shrub will compel the pedestrian to step from the “footpath” into the route of the juggernauts which tear past at the most terrifying pace. Can nothing be done to widen this sheep-track? Someone wilt bo killed there, assuredly, if nothing is done. REMTTERA. A CHRISTMAS APPEAL Sir, — We feel it more than ever our duty to continue our Christmas work—to try to provide food for all whom we know will be in need. We pray fervently that the call which reaches us daily from the homes of the poor, when placed before the public, will receive earnest and sympathetic consideration. The shortage of food is still acute. We are nearing the close of what has been one of the most difficult years of our work. We thank Almighty God and a generous public that we have not had once throughout the whole year to refuse food to any in need. We shall require provisions in large quantities if we are to fill the cupboards of our ever-increasing family of sick and needy ones, and to assist them over the festive season. No gift too small or too large—all will be gratefully received. Our address is 11 Ricton Street, Ponsonby. Will you please help us? SISTER ESTHER. SAILING IN CANOES Sir, It is time parents became alive to the danger of young children, some

of a ridiculously tender age, using canoes as sailing craft both on the Waitemata Harbour and off the North Shore beaches. I have heard the arguments of canoe clubites in favour of this practice but, despite precautions, I am satisfied that eventually it will lead to many accidents. I have seen extremely young boys—rank amateurs in their craft—sailing canoes out under the shadow of Rangitoto and across that treacherous harbour of ours. Surely there have been enough drownings in the past to teach parents a lesson? Yet they appear to allow their children every latitude. If people wish to cultivate a seamanlike spirit in their children let them forget the expense and. buy stout, reasonably fool-proof dingies. Cheap, gimcrack canoes are right enough for shallow lagoons and rivers; even then, I would not allow a boy of mine to hoist a sail in one. SAFETY FIRST. HARBOUR BRIDGE Sir, — I have been watching the bridge controversy all along, and am at a loss to know how anyone could object to such a sound proposal. Yet there seems no end of secret resistance. My greatest surprise of all has been Mr, Coates’s attitude in regard to the bridge. No one knows better than he how necessary it is for opening up the North. Mr. Allen Bell, too, who takes great interest also in the Winterless North, is as silent as a church mouse. This seems to indicate that Reform is against the proposition. As the Postmaster-General said the other day, the bridge should have been constructed 20 years ago—and this is the whole truth. Then each North Shore suburb wants its way, and they can t all have it—and, besides, the idea underlying the bridge proposal is not the serving of any suburban neighbourhood, but the creation of a substantial highway from the South to the North. To cross the Waitemata at the most suitable place to serve this end, while not interfering with the navigation of the port, it will be found that Birkenhead Point will be as near the Prince’s WTiarf as is practicable. O. K. GORDON.