KENT TERRACE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 50, 23 November 1926, Page 10

KENT TERRACE

MORE EVIDENCE HEARD BY COMMISSION

WIDENING OF TARANAKI STREET

COUNCILLOR SUGGESTS SOLUTION

The inquiry into the question of the Kent Terrace Reserve was continued yesterday before Mr. E. Page, S.M., who has been commissioned to report to the Government whether or not a proclamation asked for by the City Council to permit it to do certain street-widening work in the reserve should be issued, and evidence called by the objectors was heard.

Mr. J. O’Shea, city solictor,'again appeared to support tlic proclamation, and Mr. A. L. Hunt represented the objectors. Mr. Hunt, in outlining his case, said the objectors had the best interests of the city at heart, and there as no hypocrisy about their action. The council had failed to show the necessity for interfering with the reserve, and the objectors held in any case that the present proposal might well stand over until the new Town Planning Act came into force. ‘ He hoped to show that plantations were quite a modern method of providing beauty spots in cities, while cabbage trees were admirably adapted for the purpose Cabbage trees did not grow in the New Zealand forest. Mr. O’Shea: I have seen them in the bush. Mr. Hunt: They must have been carted there. Dealing with the position of the tramlines, Mr. Hunt affirmed that in time the trams must take the centre of the reserve. He, and those acting with him, held the opinion that one • way traffic was the only method of dealing with that aspect of the question. - Councillor Thompson’s Evidence. Councillor W. J. Thompson, chairman of the Reserves Committee, was the first witness A plan of the proposed alterations had been placed before the committee, he said Mr.' O’Shea objected to committee proceedings being divulged, and the Magistrate upheld the objection, stating that the fact that a plan had been before the committee could be mentioned, and also the date could be given. Mr. Hunt: Was the original plan dealing with the work put before the committee ? Witness: No. Was it the custom to discuss the alterations to the reserve in your committee?—“We used to discuss the question of alteration to the- reserves, but not in this case.” Continuing, witness said he had his own idea on the subject of the reserve. He was concerned more with the safety of the people than with the saving of trees. If his suggestion were carried out both objects could be secured. The present footpath was decidedly dangerous as the curb was too close to the tram rails. If the proclamation were granted the curb could be placed 5 feet from the tram raiT close to the reserve, and a wide footpath could be constructed on the reserve, leaving room for a row of trees. This plan would provide a fine promenade safe for pedestrians. The 5-foot curb would keep motors from running into danger, as they certainly would if the curb were some 13 feet away. The trees could then be thinned out, leaving room for rockeries and grass plots, making a very suitable lay-out. lhe area was so wind swept that flowers did not get a fair chance. The present plantation was a good breakwind for the Basin Reserve, and would be wiped out under the council’s scheme. He suggested that the traffic congestion in Kent Terrace could be overcome by surfacing Lloyd Street and Nelson Street from Pirie Street to Ellice Street. Drivers would prefer to take that route when proceeding southwards. Vivian Street could also be widened through the reserve, and also Buckle Street. Much of the present growth would have to be removed, and perhaps more suitable trees would have to be planted. In reply to Mr. O’Shea witness said his committee had had no objection to the work done at the north end. There had been a sum on the estimates originally for the improvement of the reserve, but it had been taken off by the council. Perhaps the council did not think it necessary to refer the question back to ,the committee, although the plan had been before the committee at one time. The council had agreed to by-laws providing for the widening of Taranaki Street, and the setting back of building lines there, but neither that street nor Tory Street could take the place of Kent Terrace.

Impossible to 'Widen Kent Terrace.

It was almost impossible to widen Kent Terrace with the present tram tracks, said witness, but Cambridge Terrace could be dealt with and increased in width. The question of putting the trams down the middle of the reserve was another question altogether. Christchurch and Dunedin could grow trees in the streets; Wellington could not on account of the wind. The cabbage trees stood any wind and did well in Wellington. Replying to Mr. Hunt, witness said if the trams were taken down the cen tre of the reserve they would still have to go round the Basitf Reserve to Newtown. Mr. O’Shea: They could go undei it, as they do in England. To Mr; Hunt: A deputation had also waited on the Reserves Committee the same day they went to the Mayot. Ex’Councillor Opposed to Proposal. Mr. T. Forsyth, M.P., a former city councillor, and now chairman of the Wellington Education Board, referred to the paucity of reserves in the centre of the city, and the need for playing areas for children. They were now warned off the reserve in Kent Terrace, on account of the grass. He had been opposed to interfering with the reserve in the past, and he also opposed the parking of tram-cars at the northern end, as the practice constituted a menace to life and limb. He protested against the curtailment of the reserve. The traffic did not warrant it, provided one-way traffic was observed. The reserve would probablv have been kept in better order if the director of reserves had had a free hand, but he was guided by the council. Mr. Forsyth said he preferred to see the footpath taken up the centre of the reserve, which could then be arranged in gardens on either side, with suitable trees. > Taranaki Street Widening. The most dangerous corner at Courtenay Place was. Cording’s Corner, where the traffic was congested into very few feet. Several fatalities had occurred there. Widening of the road down Kent Terrace was

unnecessary, seeing plans had been prepared for a future wide arterial road up Taranaki Street to John Street. The council had that road in view when they acquired the corner where the Grosvenor Hotel stood. In his opinion it was a waste of money to put a cross-roadway through the top, or south, part of the reserve. He had opposed the widening of Upper Wilfis Street, and eventually the council had come round to his views. He felt sure the reserve would go altogether if the widening process went on.

Mr. O’Shea: You mention the Taranaki Street proposal. What about that heavy grade at Wallace Street? Witness: “That can be taken down quite well.” Continuing, Mr. Forsyth affirmed that there was more congestion in Cambridge Terrace on a Saturday afternoon than in Kent Terrace, on account of the north-bound traffic. The problem was not acute in Kent Terrace with the one-way traffic. Mr. O H. Benge, land agent, and formerly in the City Council office, suggested, as a motorist, that the footpatii along the Kent Terrace side of the reserve could be thrown into the roadway with' advantage. He supported the view that one-way traffic was the best solution of the problem. When in a hurry he preferred to motor south via Taranaki Street. Mr. O’Shea: Is there not a very stiff grade that way ? Witness: Nothing to trouble a motor. Do not most motorists prefer Kent Terrace?—"Not necessarily.” Mr. Gerald J. Bell, insurance agent, advanced the opinion that if the council’s scheme went through, the Coroner before many mouths would be pointing out the menace it was to life. The visibility at the south end could be improved by cutting back the reserve by 20 feet, and throwing it into the roadway. All that was wanted was careful driving all the time. To Mr. O’Shea: He understood that Taranaki Street was to be widened some day. Mr. O’Shea: When? Witness: I will leave that to you, Mr. O’Shea.

Do vou seriously consider that proposal will do away with the necessity of widening Kent Terrace?—“Yes.”

A Town-planning Expert,

Mr. Reginald Bedford Hammond, Director of Town-planning, said he had been engaged in town-planning schemes at Auckland, and had also laid out the new Lower Hutt Settlement. In his ojtfnion no good town-planner would consider one street without relation to other streets tn the locality, or in the city. Otherwise the result would not' be verv satisfactory, and it would not be possible to deal with the question in a comprehensive manner. Replying to questions as to the advisability of proceeding with the Kent Terrace alterations before the matter of a main arterial highway to the east and south had been determined, witness said that, apart from the present case, the question of providing a main arterial highway might be a matter for a separate report. Mr. Hunt: Do vou know whether the council have had a town-planner at work on this job? Witness: I cannot tell. Mr. Page: The whole matter in this case is complicated by the present svsteni of one-wav traffic. ' In replv to a further Question, witness said be always studied the traffic aspect in connection with townplanning schemes. It had been suggested that there would be trouble in regard to traffic in Kent Terrace, where the highway merged nt the north and south ends into other streets, and he endorsed the statement. ' Mr. O’Shea: How long will it take to produce a town-planning scheme for the city of Wellington? Witness: 'About a twelvemonth. After it is brought down, how long will it take to give effect to it?—“Oh, from 100 to 500 vears.” And it is likelv to he altered as circumstances change?—“Yes.” Seeing that there exists now via Kent Terrace a flat main highway, is it not natural for the council to assume that that will continue to be the arterial highway to the south of the citv?—"There is every reason to look into the question ’of other outlets.” You recognise that the tramcar runs on a fixed route on rails?—"Yes, unfortunately.” Tn further replies, witness said the land affected was a reserve and should be held as such. For that reason he would be loth to interfere with it if it could possiblv be avoided. Another alternative scheme would lie to put the tram lines down the centre of the reserve. Reference was also made by counsel to the possibility of putting a tramline down Cambridge Terrace, and witness agreed that it was feasible, but might involve taking a bit off the reserve on that side. Tn all cases where there were difficulties in connection with traffic operations the unexpected was sure to come. Mr. O’Shea: Do vou suggest that all alterations in connection with Wellington's streets should be held up until this town-planning scheme conies out?—“lt is a matter for the council.” Do you consider street-widening a necessity irt Wellington ?—“I do.” The Draughtsman’s Orders. Mr. Walter Aitken, constructional engineer, and chief draughtsman of the City Council, also gave evidence. He had drawn two plans in connection with the alterations at Kent Terrace, one showing two schemes and the other one. In cutting off a portion of the reserve lie had been instructed to show a roadway 15 feet 6 inches wide between the nearest tramrail and the curb, the space to be used for traffic, or for parking motor-cars. “Barking Up Wrong Tree,” Mr. Hunt said they had been spending a dav and a half barking up the wrong tree. He thought they were dealing with the question of widening the road for traffic, and the witness had suggested the parking of cars was a main consideration. Mr. Luke should be recalled. Mr. Page said the position was clear No other scheme was under consideration, or relevant, excepting the one the council bad adopted, and started on.

Accidents Frequent. Mr. M. Cable, general manager of the tramways, said he dealt only with tramwav traffic, and ordinary vehicular traffic was left to the city ’engineers. He had seen the plans of the proposed widening, but the matter would not come before him officially. Neither had it come before the Tramways Committee. He could only express an opinion on the proposal as it affected the tramway traffic. Mr. Hunt: Can you'say whether the whole scheme is suitable, or not? Mr. O’Shea: That is not a fair question.

Continuing, witness said it was not usual for him to be consulted about such a scheme, but Mr. Morton had done so. Between the present rails and the kerb there was only a clearance of 27 inches, which was not sufficient. Accidents bad taken place there, and the question of widening had been under consideration for vears. Five or six feet clearance was wanted to make the place safe. The conveyance of the traffic, at Courtenay Place constituted an ever-present difficulty. He understood the scheme involved shifting the tramway poles over to Cambridge Terrace, and the erection of special standards in Kent Terrace for street lighting purposes. Later on they would probably look to Wallace Street for their main tramway outlet.

Cabbage Trees Valuable For Ornamentation.

Mr. John D. MacKenzie, director of reserves, said he had had charge of the city reserves for eight years, the area affected being 5000 acres. The plantation at the northern end of Kent Terrace were composed of cabbage trees, pohutukawas, and other native trees. The cabbage trees were recognised as the most characteristic New Zealand trees, and he did not agree with the suggestion that they were of no botanical value. It was the first tree that struck the visitor to New Zealand, and it grew on the high lands as well as on the sea shore. They were conspicuous from North Cape to the Bluff. In his opinion they were a most valuable tree for ornamental plantation purposes. The plane trees would not do in Kent Terrace on account of its being a funnel. The cabbage-trees did better under all weathers. Mr. Hunt: If the trees are to be cut down, will that be your job?

Witness: I hope not. Have you considered the town-plan-ning aspect?—“Yes. Hie council does not stop me on that point when dealing with the reserves.” Mr. O’Shea: Is there any other town in New Zealand where they plant cabbage trees? —“There is no other town in the same position.” You have not spent very much on that shrubbery?—“We attend to it in the ordinary course; send a casual man in at times. I have planted many cabbage trees in the reserves, but none in the streets.” Rearrangement More Dangerous, Another witness was Mr. E. Philpott Crowther, civil and electrical engineer, who stated that Wellington’s climate was unfavourable to ordinary tree growth, but the cabbage trees grew well. The present ones in Kent Terrace were a distinct asset to the city, and attracted the attention of oversea visitors. One-way traffic was preferable where possible, and the present tramwav lines close up to the reserve were less dangerous- in practice than would be ttyr'ease under the new proP °Mr. William Miller, of Johnsonville, and formerly town clerk of Miramar, strongly objected to traffic being allowed 'between the tramline and the footpath, as would be the case under the new scheme. Mr. W. S. Wilson was also called, and stated that he was a motorist as well as a motor importer. He had never noticed in other parts of the world instances where north-bound trams ran alongside south-bound motorcars. If this proposal were carried out Kent Terrace would be far more dangerous than at present He considered the wide road between the De Luxe Theatre and the end of Courtenay Place the most dangerous place in the city. One set of tram rails could be laid down in Cambridge Terrace, but on account of that street having been bituminised, in the absence of a city plan the council would not now dare to tear the bitumen up The traffic problem was most pressing in Wellington to-day No . Mayor and no .councillor should decide such a question. The whole proposal had been put through too quickly, and in undue haste, quite haphazardly. In cross-examination by Mr. O Shea witness said he was not an expert on town-planning or traffic problems. lie was a business man keenly interested in the welfare of the city. Mr. O’Shea: Do you know, that the Automobile Association are in favour of it?

Witness: Questionable. What is your objection to this proposal ?—"Simply because the motor-cars are going south while the tramcars are coming north, and vour by-laws will not be able to avoid congestion, and accidents. Town-planning, and a comprehensive scheme, and Mesopotamia are all blessed words, are they not, Dlr. Wilson ?— “Thev may be, but I obiect to the City Council having an earthquake on its own in Kent Terrace.” Council Gone Too Far.

Councillor John Aston, giving evidence, said <’t would not surprise him if in the end the portion proposed to be taken off the reserve were not nsed for parking motor-cars. In the lower

portion tramcars were now being parked, and he had opposed the scheme on that ground at the time. The council had gone too far, and other alternatives were available wnicli should be fully investigated before the scheme was finalised. To Mr. O’Shea: There was no other place in the city where there was onewav traffic, and motorists were, prevented going to the right, excepting at Kent Terrace. 1 •„ Councillor Aston added that in his opinion the scheme might prove more of a death trap than an advantage. Dlr. O’Shea: Have you expressed that opinion elsewhere? Witness: Yes. Where?—“l will not say, but I hold rav own opinions on the subject, and have expressed them. Buckle’ Street should have been widened east and west to afford another outlet and to help relieve the traffic,” Will it not be expensive to lower that street?—“lt will cost more if delaved.” . .. . Councillor A. H. Huggins said he had come to the conclusion, after hearing the evidence of the council officers, that Kent Terrace should be widened, lie considered the position of the present footpath alongside the reserve a serious danger; it required setting back. He had never heard anv suggestion about using any of the land for the parking of motor-cars. . In answer to Dlr. O’Shea witness admitted that cabbage trees were, a nuisance in the blocking, of drains. Thev were better planted m the little gullies about the citv. He had never regarded Kent Terrace as a children’s playground. The inquiry was then adjourned to 9.30 this morning to enable counsel’s addresses to be heard.