TRAMWAYS COMMISSION.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17155, 26 May 1921, Page 6

TRAMWAYS COMMISSION.

mr s. e. McCarthy's report. MANCHESTER STREET ROUTE FAVOURED. The report of Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M., who sat - as a commission to hear evidence in favour of and against the proposal to lay a double line of tram tracks in Manchester street, from the Clock Tower to Worcester street, was released for publication yesterday. The report, which is addressed to his Excellency the Governor-General, states, in opening, that the Commission was set up to enquire into, certain tramway construction proposals which had been objected to by the Christchurch City Council and the Wnimairi County Council. These proposals were as follows:—(a) The construction of a balloon loop at Papanui; (b) now in Manchester street; and (c) a junction at Broadway T s corner, adjacent to the Cathedral square. The County of Wai*nairi did not appear before the Commission and withdrew its objection. The report stated that the junction at Broadway's corner was a necessity in order to expedite shunting and other tramway operations- in Cathedral square,' where it would relieve congestion. It was not proposed to increase the present practice of parking cars in the Sciuare. The Commission recommended this work for favourable consfderation. Referring to the proposed double line in Manchester street, the report stated. "This line is a paramount necessity* for the following reasons:— ' (a) "It will provide an alternative route between the northern and southern parts of the city. At present there I is no such route, and. if q.n accident occurred at certain spots, tramway connection between these two parts would be temporarily suspended. The alternative route prevents this. (b) "It will prevent the blocking; of cars destined tor different objectives caused by the New Brighton cars crossing the line of traffic of such first-men-tioned cars at the eame> time and in a contrary direction. This frequently occurs, nnd is a source of nnxiety to. tramway officials by reaßon of the possibility 'of accident. There are at present five points at whioh the traffic crosses. The route down Manchester street will necessitate only one such crossing. Further, these blocks necessitate delay; whilst the sudden restarting of four or five cars after a temporary block necessitates a sudden drain on the power station, which occasions still further delay. (c) "It will relieve the present congestion at the Bank of New Zealand corner. The engineering evidence is all one way. that is, in favour of the Manchester street route. The business people in Manchester street approve of the route, whilst the ratepayers of the Christohuroh Tramway District (a greater area than the City of Christchurch) have approved works which in-1 elude the Manchester street extension iby 2314 votes to 668. "The Christchurch City Council, however, oonfend that the proposal will, if approved, permit of the Tramway Board using Manchester street as a parking and shunting ground for cars; that it will increase the danger of accidents at the Clock Tower outlet of Manchester street; that the centre of the city should be kept for ordinary vehioular traffic • that Manchester street was sneoiallv constructed for heavy vehicular traffic and Bhould not be prther burdened with tramway traffio [ that the Cashel street line for oars, which (inter alia) connects with New Brighton, is a one-line 1 route/an* that in-coming cars run on "the off-side of the in-coming traffic; that the New Brighton traffic could be brought down Worcester street, which would eliminate all crossing ot traffic going' in different directions; that the claims of tram traffic should be deferred to those of all other, classes of traffic, , . •,. . _j "Taking these objections in order:. (1) It iB not the intention of the Tramwav Board to convert Manchester street into a parking and shunting ground. The -extension down Manchester street is a part of the natural evolution and progress of tramway traffic m Cnristj church. There may be shunting and sparking, but it will be reduced to a minimum. .... i.j •_ (2) "With regard to the suggested in- ' creased danger of accident, it is true that the traffic in the city streets has increased enormously in the lasttwenty years; and yet the only provision the City Council has made for control is the appointment of a traffic inspector, and *an assistant, both of whom are mostly absorbed in duties which prevent them from controlling traffic at any time except gala days. Further,, the Christchurch City by-laws are antiquated, and sadly need revising. In the Cathedral Square there are two starting places, and, although large numbers of peopw congregate there, through traffic »,not prohibited. All classes or vehicles drive through without regulation, the vehicular and pedestrian traffio is well mixed, and no rules for control have ever been framed. The prdper remedy to deal with dangerous points is diminished Bpeed andv. efficient and wiselyregulated control, hot the blocking of the legitimate (evolution of tramway traffic (3) "If the centre of the city is to be kept free of tramway traffic there can be no doubt this will effectually block tramway development, because it will sever the northern from the.eouthern portion of the city, and impede progress. . ' t (4) "It wis not proved that much heavy, traffio passed down Manchester street. Most, of - the factories are situate south of the Clock Tower. It is these which create heavy traffic. Very little of the traffic from these factories passes over Manchester street. (5) "It is quitei true that the Cashel street route from New Brighton is a ene-line route, and that if that traffic were diverted down Worcester street there would, he no crossing of traffic going opposite directions. However, the Worcester street route would leave the New Brighton people ten chains further away from, their work than at present, and would carry them by a longer route, necessitating their, leaving New Brighton - at an abnormally early hour, with the result they would be aimlessly perambulating the streets of Christchuroh before starting work (wasting time which could be better spent in home duties). The New Brigh. ton people almost unanimously oppose the suggested Worcester street route, which is not in any sense an alternative on©.. (6) "The suggestion that the clainra of tramway traffic, should be deferred to all other classes of traffic seems to be a device to block progress. If that doctrine were applied to the Dominion railways, what would become of our. progress and development? Balancing the arguments pro and con, in my opinI ion, an overwhelming case has been made out for the Manchester street extension, and I recommend it to be approved. The evidence tendered at the Cpmmission .discloses quite an uni necessary degree, of friction between the 1 City Council and the Tramway Board. For example, it was suggested by counsel for the Board that the withdrawal of his Worship the Mayor and Cr. Flesher, after they had tendered their evidence was an inault to the Commissioner, and an implied reflection on the Board. I am satisfied that no such insult or reflection was intended. JTho evidence tendered for the Council was unconvincing, but the opposition was sincere. The present state of tension existing between these two bodies goe3 to show the want of wisdom in creating too many local authorities in any given area. The more such authorities are • multiplied the .greater the friction-that

exists. Useless and harassing litijat&« is indulged in, and progress is blocked In my opinion, wherever irncticjftu. tlio various brandies ol local govern!' inent activity should bo collected j. gether in one corporate body, under on* administrative head, whoso duty jt would bo to co-ordinate effort and lessen friction. In the present case the Trim, way Board, which represents a widjf nrea than the City of Christchurdt has been put to unnecessary expense Jn bejng compelled to place its ensn beta*! the .Commission; and as it hag wc.. ceeded in all points, I do hereby ordtt that the Mayor, councillors, and cjtfci sens of the City of Christchurch do m* to the Christchurch Trnmway BcSra its oosty of this Commission."

The costs amounted in all to £sß' 7s 4d. ,