Correspondence.

Timaru Herald, Volume X, Issue 405, 14 April 1869, Page 3

Correspondence.

PUBLIC WORKS AND LOCAL TALENT. TO THE EDITOH OF THE TIUiEU IIEKAIP. Sir, — Is it not rather unfair for Mr Macdonald to vent his wrath on "local talent" when there have been so few opportunities of judging whether there is the requisite talent m the district to carry forward public works? Mr Macdonald was fortunate m his reference to the erection of a bridge over the river Temuka by the Geraldine Road .Board, m a position where a blind man would scarcely have built it, and it will be generally acknowledged that he pioved his case as against the Rood Board, for the bridge waa washed away by the first heavy fresh. But since then another bridge has been thrown over the Temuka, under better auspices probably, and it remains to-day. If Mr Macdonald has travelled through the district recently he will know that m some cases " local talent" has been able to provide all that is necessary m the way of bridges and culverts. The sins of one should not be visited on all alike. Mr Macdonald' a complaiut is that because a bridge thrown over the river Temuka was so badly planned and built that it went down the stream, therefore all other bridges would do the same if planned by local men. As well might I say that because Mr A. and B. grow half hair and kemp with their wool therefore there are no sheep farmers m the district who know anything about wool growing, and Mr Mrcdonald would be included m the category. I am, &c, Observes. April 5, 1869. ROAD MAKING. TO THB EDITOR OF THE TIMARff HERALD. Sib.— Will you kindly permit me, through the medium of your columns, to ask if the street opposite the Commercial Hotel has been passed by the Engineer as fit for traffic If so, I am sure he could not possibly have seen it before doing so, as there is no way of getting on or off from the main road to the street; through which great inconvenience is felt by the public. Trusting the above remarks may lead to a speedy remedy, I am, &a, GPESS.