The Editor, Sir:
As an occasional visitor to Jamaica since living there for three years during the '80s, I am familiar with the shortcomings of infrastructure and the general malaise of inefficiency which seems forever to blight this beautiful island.
However, despite such fami-liarity, I am appalled at the
complacency of the company promoting 'tubing' in the White River Valley in St. Mary.
This leisure activity (illustrated with a photograph on at least one Internet website when you enter the name 'Ocho Rios') involves riding the river in a circular inflated tube, and looked like fun.
Unfortunately, the telephone number on the advertising sign near White River bridge activates a recorded message explaining that the number is DEFUNCT!
Just west of Tower Isle, by the north-coast road, are signposts for 'White River Valley.' My wife and I, in a car being driven by her sister-in-law, turned off into the road thus indicated, running uphill past Prospect Estate. I say 'road' but as the miles passed, its badly pot-holed surface degenerated into an utterly unmetalled track, barely negotiable by donkey and cart, never mind a saloon car.
Eventually it was so rough that we gave up, stopped and turned back, rather than inflict damage to the vehicle.
I understand that the misers running the 'tubing' charge at least J$1,000 for the privilege. Might they consider investing some of their profits into maintaining the road to and from their little money-spinner? Or even retain a working telephone number? Until then, shame on them.
I am, etc.,
COLIN HINGSTON
61 Luccombe Road
South Hampton
England
