TRAFFIC DIVERTED.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18417, 25 June 1925, Page 8

TRAFFIC DIVERTED.

NEW BY-LAW OPERATES

The policeman on point duty ;,i the intersection of Ilereiord and Colombo streets, who directs traffic at the Bank of New Zealand Corner, was reinforced Yesterday afternoon by three assistants and yet he appeared to b.' busier than evei - .

The reason was that the by-law recently passed by the City Council, prohibiting all vehicular traffic from going: into Cathedral square from the corner mentioned, between o p.m. and 0.10 p.m.. with the. exception of tramears. was brought into operation for the first time. At -3 o'clock Mr H. Mcintosh. City Motor Inspector, took up his position behind the constable on duty and the other inspectors went a little way down Colombo street to warn motorists and others using vehicles that they must notgo through the Square. The traffic on this occasion was not so groat as usual, nevertheless the "bottle-neck'' bore a congested appearance at the period mentioned, and it was as much n.s the officials could do |o direct the traffic into the side streets. No motorist showed any inclination to remonstrate, although many of them were surprise.! at being compelled to turn off belore reaching tho Square.

One or two atemtpts wero made to prevent cyclists from riding through /the (Square, but after an odd one- or so had been compelled to dismount, during which procedure dozens of others, rode past with n cheerful disregard lor the law, tho officials decided to concentrate on motor-car drivers and motorcyclists. At 5.1') Mr Mcintosh and his assistants retired, leaving the field to the policeman on duty, and. the next moment traffic of all descriptions was proceeding both north and south through the bottle-neck. It seems clear that if cyclists aro to be prevented from using this point of ingress to Cathedral square a larger number of officials tvill have to be placed on duty at the corner, or else the cycles must be identified with plates like motorcycles. A matter that would tend to improve conditions for pedestrians who cross the road at Barnett's corner is the installation of a light in a handy position. At present this busv intersection, is very badly lightted, although facing the Square.