A QUESTION OF WIDTH

Evening Star, Issue 19790, 14 February 1928, Page 9

A QUESTION OF WIDTH

STREET ALTERATIONS DEPUTATIONS TO ST. HILDA COUNCIL Should Council street be narrowed to 26ft and grass strips be planted along tho side of the road, or should the street remain the same width as at present? These questions came before the St. Kilda Borough Council at its meeting last night. At the previous meeting a deputation waited upon the council asking that the road be reduced, and that grass bo planted next to the footpaths. and at last night’s meeting a further deputation asked that the width of the street should not be altered. Mr J. Hitchcock, speaking for the second deputation, said he saw a notice in the Press, following the council meeting, to the effect that Council street was to be narrowed. He spoke to three residents who were opposed to this procedure, and he then went from one end of the street to the other with a petition to the effect that tho street should remain as at present. In doing so he found that no one had been approached by the first deputation. Only one resident wanted grass plots at the side of the road. When asked to give hi# reason why he did not want the street to be narrowed, Mr Hitchcock said it was too narrow to plant grass on. Another member of tho deputation (Mr F. Hodgson) did not think that the residents would mow the grass if it were planted. Any broken glass or stones, etc., which would certainly get on the grass would soon damage the residents" mowers. “There is a lot of motor traffic passing along Council street,” said another, “ and it is always a. source of danger to little children, who seem to like to play on the road in preference to the park in the street.” The Mayor (Mr R. W. Hall) said it naturally folloived that the council would have to cut the grass where a resident would not do so. A new machine was being brought from England, and that would be employed. The deputation was then asked if it would agree to meet the council and the other deputation at some future date, but the matter was finally left in the hands of the council. The deputation then retired. Cr Stratton: I am of the opinion that the policy of the council of having the width of the streets reduced should be adhered to.

Cr Roy supported Cr Stratton, as the reducing of the street would save expense in the future. “ Planting grass along the streets tends to beautify them,” said Cr Longworth. “ Driver street was the first to receive treatment, and everyone was satisfied with tho job.” The Mayor said the council had been led to believe that the majority of the residents in Council street wanted the grass, and the council had consented "to plant tho grass. No one regretted that decision more than he. Thirtyeight out of fifty-two residents had signed the petition to have the street left as at present. Tho council must give consideration to the majority of the ratepayers. It bad to get over the difficulty ns best it could. A previous council four years ago had decided that Council street should remain at its original width. lie was of the opinion that three independent persons be asked to give their unbiased opinions on the question. Cr Roy: By planting grass wo would reduce instead of increase the danger to small children, as they would thou have a lawn to play on. Twenty-six feet would be quite sufficient for vehicular traffic.

Cr Longworth; Boiled down, tlie deputation to-night is against the cutting'of the grass by the residents. The Mayor: I will not give notice to rescind the previous motion at . this stage, but if it becomes necessary to do so I will give seven days’ notice. I would like to see the matter amicably settled.