VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1935, Page 9

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

VIEWS ON CURRENT TOPICS STRAYING DOG NUISANCE. PRESENCE ON FITZROY BEACH. (To the Editor.) Sir, —Like “Eradicator” I think something ought to be done about dogs. I like dogs and dogs like me, but I object to being leapt upon by enthusiastic.canines when taking my Sunday sun bath at the beach. Neither do I like having sand thrown in my eyes, or having my children bowled over by the leaders of the field in the Fitzroy-Strandon dogs’ Derby. I have a friend who rides a motorbicycle, and he likes dogs, too. But he dislikes being bitten on the ankle when taking difficult corners. Similarly another friend of mine who likes dogs dislikes being awakened at midnight by the melancholy remarks of a neighbour’s collie on the subject of moonlight. But the tragic part of all this is the fact the offenders are usually highly-respectable and otherwise well-thought-of dogs who are adequately fed, watered and bathed. —I am, etc., EXTERMINATOR. New Plymouth, January 28. IMPROVING NEW PLYMOUTH. (To the Editor.) Sir,—l was interested in the remarks of your correspondent “Improve” in the paper on Monday. He mentioned the criticism that had been levelled at New Plymouth citizens by members of the teachers’ summer school, namely, that far too little had been done to enhance the natural beauty of the town. He advocated the creation of a sinking fund for the purpose of constructing ultimately a marine parade along Ngamotu beach. This is certainly a suggestion which might profitably be contemplated by civic authorities here. As a rule they hold up their hands in horror when any question involving expenditure is raised. But these hard times are. being exploited. If the establishment of a fund for an elaborate waterfront walk is avoided at least something less radical might be done. Why not plant pohutukawa trees on the beaches? Fitzroy and Bell Block particularly, with the sloping sand dunes behind them, could be made three times more beautiful if more native trees were planted there. Moreover it might save the skin of many a blistered nose. Is it that times are too hard even for treeplanting?—l am, etc., ADVOCATE. New Plymouth, Jan. 28. PARKING IN NEW PLYMOUTH. (To the Editor.) Sir, —New Plymouth’s new parking system has worked fairly well since the white line system was instituted in the business area, but it appears due for a little overhaul. In Devon Street it is scarcely possible to see the lines in places, and a man with a paint pot could do great work in a couple of days. The lines in the side streets seem to be in fair condition still, although they will need repainting before long. When this is done would it be possible to widen them by a foot or two, or perhaps abolish them for diagonal lines and “nose-in” parking? I know this could not be done in Devon Street because of the trams, and in any cases cars are not usually left in Devon Street for a long time at a time. In Hawera the “nose-in” method has proved successful in High Street, which is no wider than the New Plymouth side streets.—l am, etc.,

RECENT ARRIVAL. New Plymouth, Jan. 27.