FINLAY’S CROSSING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5448, 15 July 1929, Page 2

FINLAY’S CROSSING.

A MINISTERIAL LETTER.

IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED.

Among the Inward correspondence dealt with by tne Ohinemuri County Council at its meeting on Thursday last was the following with reference to Finlay’s Crossing, Cadman Road.

The Minister of Railways, as a result of representations to him by a deputation from the Ohinemuri County Council on June 1 regarding Cadman Road level crossing, wrote that inquiries showed the approach to this crossing was not good. The Railway Department, however, was only responsible for maintenance of the roadway for a distance of 33ft on either side of the centre line of rails, and therefore the question of improving the approach outside that area was a matter for the Ohinemuri County Council. The position could be improved considerably at little expense by easing the curves and slightly flattening the angle of the approach road. The chairman of the . local Highways in company with the department’s engineer inspected the crossing, had undertaken to have a survey made and to assist the council in improving the approach. The need for a white guiding fence at each side of the crossing was noticed when the crossing was inspected, apd the department undertook to provide the necessary posts on condition that the council provided the rails and did the necessary painting. After the reading of the above letter by the chairman, Cr. C. Mason, Cr. C. E. Mace remarked that the department at last realised its responsibility in part.

It appears that the posts mentioned were not up to the standard or length requested by the acting engineer, being too short, and quite a number in bad condition. They were therefore not used by the council, which used its own posts to ensure a proper job, even though only as a temporary measure, until something adequate is done.

That the whole crossing needs laying out anew was further illustrated by a lorry going off the road on Friday and turning turtle on the side opposite the fence. This lorry broke into new territory, as previously no vehicles have been reported over that side.

A number pf the accidents might quite correctly be put down to careless driving, but the regrettable fact must be faced thlt perhaps the majority of drivers are careless : and until such time as regulations for the severe chastisement of irresponsible motorists are enforced, adequate measures for the protection of human life is necessary and imperative.