TO DIVERT MOTOR-TRAFFIC

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2797, 14 October 1924, Page 3

TO DIVERT MOTOR-TRAFFIC

COUNCIL DECIDES TO ASPHALT APPROACHES TO TOWN.

Some time ago a deputation from the local Chamber of Commerce waited on the Borough Council with a request that both the north and south entrances to the town be asphalted for a short distance from their branching oft from Russell and Johnston Sts. towards the town. By means of these apparently good roads it was hoped to decoy the travelling public into the town. At present a great deal of the latter travel up Johnston St. and only pass through the outskirts of the borough. At last night’s meeting of the Borough Council another deputation from the Chamber of Commerce, consisting of Messrs D. Christie (president), Perreau and Wiinstanley waited on the Council renewing their previous request.. Mr Christie said that- this work was .most necessary, especially so as Russell and Johnston Sts. were now in excellent condition. If a strip of the road at the north end was asphalted for a few chains each side of the intersection with Russell St, motorists would naturally take what appeared to be the better road and so have to pass through the

town. Tbc saint- thing applied at the south end.

Mr Perreau also urged the necessity for this work and also made a request that the Council open up cither Nye or Brown Sts. Mr Winstanley also spoke in support of the proposals. The Mayor said that the question of opening up the roads referred lo was too costly a business to he undertaken at the present. The work entailed the cutting through of two sand hills, one of which would cost £l5O and the other in the vicinity of £250. The population of the streets referred to did not at present warrant such heavy expenditure. As regarded the. tar-sealing of portions of the two approaches to Foxton, this work would lie undertaken in the near future by the Main Highways Board. He was of opinion that Russell St. should be tar-sealed to save the present excellent surface. He suggested that it would he better to tar-seal Avenue Rd. from the wind-mill to town than portion of the road at the top end of Victoria Park. If Avenue Road was tar-sealed it would divert motorists into the town. These works were not possible this year, however. Cr. Thompson suggested that the Council do the work if the deputation collected £25 towards this work. Cr. Smith considered a £1 for £1 subsidy up to £SO a very good idea. After further discussion, it was decided on the motion of Cr. Smith, that the Council would he prepared lo subsidise £1 for £1 up to £SO, for the purpose of asphalting the main approaches to the town at Johnston Si.-Union St. crossing and Park St.Rnssell St. crossing as reported on by the road foreman.